Architect Robert Davidson stands beside project plans at the Clovis offices of R.L. Davidson Inc., the firm he founded 40 years ago. Courtesy of Robert Davidson
Walk into the Clovis offices of R.L. Davidson Inc. and the first thing visitors encounter isn’t a wall covered with architectural renderings, a large branded sign or a traditional office vibe.
Instead, architect Robert Davidson filled his office spaces with art—a Remington bronze, a Renoir tapestry and other pieces chosen to reflect what he believes architecture should ultimately be about: beauty, proportion, quality and thoughtful design.
That philosophy has guided the firm Davidson founded 40 years ago, even as the size and complexity of its projects have continued to change.
R.L. Davidson remains a mid-sized firm with nine employees. Yet Davidson estimates the firm currently has roughly $300 million in construction either underway or on the drawing board, ranging from multifamily developments and hotels to medical offices and other commercial projects.
“I’ve always tried to put good design work in front of everything,” Davidson said. “There’s a huge difference between building and architecture, and we practice architecture.”
Davidson launched the firm around Labor Day 1986, breaking away from another local architect and settling into a small West Shaw Avenue office. Over the years, the firm moved to the Palm Bluffs area and later Clovis. The company marked its 40th anniversary this Labor Day weekend.
An architectural rendering shows Haron Jaguar Land Rover, one of the automotive dealership projects designed by R.L. Davidson Inc. Courtesty of Robert Davidson
Over those four decades, the firm has relied on Davidson’s ability to adapt to the “ebb and flow” of the economy and industries of his clients, while maintaining the same high standard of design.
Davidson started the firm by designing custom homes, multifamily housing projects and golf-course related projects. He moved heavily into automotive dealerships as the auto manufacturers rebranded. During this same period, the firm expanded into hotels, medical facilities and larger multifamily developments.
Longtime client Jim Haron experienced Davidson’s expertise firsthand.
Haron started working with Davidson in the 1980s on projects, before Davidson opened his own firm. Their professional relationship eventually expanded to residential work and grew into a friendship between the two families.
Haron and his wife were soliciting plans for a new home in 1989, but one bathroom layout problem was particularly hard to crack. When Haron brought him in, it took Davidson just five minutes to find a solution. Davidson was immediately tasked with redoing their house drawings.
That same attention to detail and high quality carried into decades of dealership work, including projects for Haron Jaguar Land Rover. Haron said Davidson combined practical considerations with an understanding of light and space while also meeting detailed manufacturer requirements.
The firm’s nimble size is part of its strength, Haron said.
Davidson has remained personally involved in projects, he said, allowing clients to develop a direct relationship with him and reducing the risk of small but important details being lost between owner, designer and builder.
An architectural rendering shows The Hubert at Audubon Court, a multifamily development off Nees Avenue and part of R.L. Davidson Inc.’s portfolio. Courtesy of Robert Davidson
That approach has produced work throughout the Valley and beyond. The firm’s portfolio includes automotive dealerships, custom homes, affordable and market-rate housing, hotels and commercial projects across California, with work also extending into Nevada and Arizona.
Recent Valley projects include the Hubert at Audubon Court apartments off Nees Avenue, Villa Bacarra along Shepherd Avenue, Fresno Housing developments like the Avalon Commons Phase II, a medical office near Clovis Community Medical Center and five hotels in various stages of design and construction.
“If it doesn’t meet my standard of care, then it doesn’t leave the office,” Davidson said.
At 40 years, however, Davidson is also thinking about what comes next.
The firm is beginning to market itself more intentionally, updating its website recently and developing younger staff members who Davidson hopes will build careers in architecture.
“I have some very bright and energetic people working for me that want to have a future in architecture,” Davidson said. “And it’s my job to make sure that they can get there.”