Who We Are
Founded in 2000, Opticos Design focuses on creating sustainable, walkable communities. Today, we work across architecture, urban design, zoning reform, and planning to help communities turn vision into real, implementable outcomes. As one of the first B Corporations and a founding California Benefit Corporation, we approach each project with a focus on walkability, sustainability, and long-term community impact.
What We Do
Site Planning + Architecture – Designing buildings and neighborhoods rooted in human-scale design, context, and long-term livability.
Urban Design – Helping communities define their vision and translate it into actionable plans and design strategies.
Zoning Reform + Planning – Turning complex policy and zoning into clear standards that deliver real outcomes—especially housing.
Get a tailored approach for your project
Meet The Team
Site Planning + Architecture
They design walkable, context-sensitive places and support projects from early visioning through implementation, focused on creating buildings and neighborhoods that feel authentic to their setting. Their work spans Missing Middle housing neighborhoods, car-free and transit-oriented communities, waterfront and town center developments, and a range of affordable and infill housing. Across these efforts, they bring deep expertise in architecture, site planning, and urban design—always focused on creating places people actually want to live.
Meet The Team
Urban Design
They help communities define how they want to grow and turn that vision into clear, actionable plans that shape walkable, livable places. Their work is grounded in deep community engagement, lived experience, and a strong ability to translate complex challenges into implementable strategies—balancing big-picture vision with detailed design solutions. Their project work spans community plans and form-based codes, neighborhood and downtown plans, housing strategies and feasibility studies, and urban design guidelines that support real-world implementation.
Meet The Team
Chicago
They work with communities across the Midwest and beyond to turn planning and policy into clear, implementable zoning, neighborhood revitalization, and housing solutions. Their work includes regional housing strategies and toolkits, citywide zoning updates and regulatory strategies, housing opportunity studies, and corridor and neighborhood planning. Their focus is consistent: making zoning easier to understand and ensuring good design can come to life.
Meet The Team
Zoning Reform and Planning
Working on zoning that’s hard to implement or navigate? This team helps translate community vision and policy into clear, implementable zoning solutions—making systems easier to use and more effective. Their work spans code audits and updates, form-based codes and design standards, housing policy and Missing Middle strategies, and citywide regulatory frameworks. Their focus is simple: customize zoning to match a community’s vision while making it more usable, equitable, and effective.
Our Services
Services That Deliver Real Outcomes
We offer integrated services across architecture, urban design, zoning reform, and planning—helping communities and developers create walkable, sustainable places with a clear path to implementation. From housing and site planning to citywide strategies and form-based codes, our work is grounded in a people-first approach that delivers real results.
Project Examples
Interested? Call us today:
(510) 558-6957
Contact Us
Opticos brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the table and really delivered on our comprehensive Downtown Plan update. Their experience in form-based approaches, their ability to create plans that are simple to follow and implement - and that can stand the test of time - adds immense value. Moreover, Opticos has a very inclusive approach, using multiple tools and methods to engage stakeholders in meaningful ways.
— Mike Webb, City Manager, City of Davis
Speaking Nationwide
