Ratcliff is one of the longest, continually-operating architecture firms in California.
1906
What began with Walter Ratcliff was carried on by his son, Robert Ratcliff, and then his grandson, Christopher (Kit) Ratcliff. This family enterprise, which is now led by a new leadership group, has evolved into a vibrant, dynamic practice with multiple partners committed to designing structures that have enduring value for the client and the community in which they exist.
Walter Ratcliff's first professional portrait
Walter Harris Ratcliff was licensed in 1906 and practiced residential design throughout the Bay Area alongside John Galen Howard, Julia Morgan, and Bernard Maybeck. Soon thereafter he was appointed campus architect for Mills College and lead architect for the City of Berkeley, which led him to slowly shift his design focus to include institutional work.
An early residential design for the Anna Head Residence
1906–1945
1945–1953
Walter executed more than 600 commissions throughout his career, including commercial, civic and residential buildings. Following the Depression and World War II, Walter expanded ownership to his son, Robert W. Ratcliff, and long time employee Scott Haymond. Their work, designed from their Berkeley studio, was mostly residential during this time.
The Brezee Residence, 1947
Father and son design residential projects for private clients, as well as for the University of California and religious colleges throughout the East Bay. However, Robert quickly declared himself a modernist and departed from his father’s architectural influences.
Walter and Robert Ratcliff
1953–1960
1960–1978
After Walter’s retirement in 1955, Robert W. Ratcliff joined with associates Murry A. Slama and A. Burns Cadwalader in renaming the firm Ratcliff Slama & Cadwalader in 1961. As one of the largest firms in the East Bay the firm expanded to take on increasingly large civic projects, parks and recreation, historic renovation, public housing, research and technology and health facilities.
Church of the Resurrection, 1961
The Ratcliff Architects was established in 1978 and grandson Christopher “Kit” P. Ratcliff joined the firm in 1982. Under his leadership, the firm continued a tradition of top quality buildings of enduring design, and has adhered to management philosophies relying on an emphasis on relationships. In 1996, The Ratcliff Architects merged with Crosby Helmich Architects, bringing together two experienced firms with complementary practices. As Ratcliff, they continue to build relationships with local and regional clients and continue their involvement in community and professional affairs.
Oakland Airport Terminal II Expansion, 1985
1978–1999
2000–2014
What began as a family enterprise has evolved into a dynamic group of architects who are driven by a sincere interest in helping others and are dedicated to improving the built environment through design excellence. The architecture industry begins to transform with the introduction of sustainable design tenets and delivery methods such as design-build. The firm is a proud recipient of the AIACC Firm of the Year Award in 2005 and celebrated its centennial in 2006.
John Muir Medical Center, 2008
After a decade of designing distinguished architecture, Ratcliff continues to offer a broad range of architecture, interior design and planning services to healthcare, academic and civic clients. As one of the nation’s longest continually-operating architectural firms, Ratcliff has evolved with the industry, from the days when architects sketched on linen to today’s thriving computerized practice illustrated virtual image building models. We take pride in the enduring value our buildings provide the communities they serve.
SJSU Wellness Center, 2015
2015–Present
Est. in 1906
What began with Walter Ratcliff was carried on by his son, Robert Ratcliff, and then his grandson, Christopher (Kit) Ratcliff. This family enterprise, which is now led by a new leadership group, has evolved into a vibrant, dynamic practice with multiple partners committed to designing structures that have enduring value for the client and the community in which they exist.
Walter Ratcliff's first professional portrait
1906–1945
Walter Harris Ratcliff was licensed in 1906 and practiced residential design throughout the Bay Area alongside John Galen Howard, Julia Morgan, and Bernard Maybeck. Soon thereafter he was appointed campus architect for Mills College and lead architect for the City of Berkeley, which led him to slowly shift his design focus to include institutional work.
An early residential design for the Anna Head Residence
1945–1953
Walter executed more than 600 commissions throughout his career, including commercial, civic and residential buildings. Following the Depression and World War II, Walter expanded ownership to his son, Robert W. Ratcliff, and long time employee Scott Haymond. Their work, designed from their Berkeley studio, was mostly residential during this time.
The Brezee Residence, 1947
1953–1960
Father and son design residential projects for private clients, as well as for the University of California and religious colleges throughout the East Bay. However, Robert quickly declared himself a modernist and departed from his father’s architectural influences.
Walter and Robert Ratcliff
1960–1978
After Walter’s retirement in 1955, Robert W. Ratcliff joined with associates Murry A. Slama and A. Burns Cadwalader in renaming the firm Ratcliff Slama & Cadwalader in 1961. As one of the largest firms in the East Bay the firm expanded to take on increasingly large civic projects, parks and recreation, historic renovation, public housing, research and technology and health facilities.
Church of the Resurrection, 1961
1978–1999
The Ratcliff Architects was established in 1978 and grandson Christopher “Kit” P. Ratcliff joined the firm in 1982. Under his leadership, the firm continued a tradition of top quality buildings of enduring design, and has adhered to management philosophies relying on an emphasis on relationships. In 1996, The Ratcliff Architects merged with Crosby Helmich Architects, bringing together two experienced firms with complementary practices. As Ratcliff, they continue to build relationships with local and regional clients and continue their involvement in community and professional affairs.
Oakland Airport Terminal II Expansion, 1985
2000–2014
What began as a family enterprise has evolved into a dynamic group of architects who are driven by a sincere interest in helping others and are dedicated to improving the built environment through design excellence. The architecture industry begins to transform with the introduction of sustainable design tenets and delivery methods such as design-build. The firm is a proud recipient of the AIACC Firm of the Year Award in 2005 and celebrated its centennial in 2006.
John Muir Medical Center, 2008
2015–Present
After a decade of designing distinguished architecture, Ratcliff continues to offer a broad range of architecture, interior design and planning services to healthcare, academic and civic clients. As one of the nation’s longest continually-operating architectural firms, Ratcliff has evolved with the industry, from the days when architects sketched on linen to today’s thriving computerized practice illustrated virtual image building models. We take pride in the enduring value our buildings provide the communities they serve.
