About Richard Blumenberg

Richard L. Blumenberg, AIA, LEED AP
Founder and Principal, RLB Architecture

My Background

Born and raised in Los Angeles, I’m the founding Principal of RLB Architecture, a high-end architecture and design firm based in Pacific Palisades, California. Graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture in 1972, I went on to receive my Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1975. After starting my career at Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and then Maxwell Starkman & Associates, I went on to spend 17 years as Partner at Choate Associates in West Los Angeles; working in a variety of architectural styles, I was the project architect of well over a hundred residential and commercial projects during my time there.

In 1997 I decided it was time to strike out on my own and opened RLB Architecture. Since then, I’ve been busy designing traditional-style custom homes and remodels for clients in many of LA’s scenic Westside neighborhoods, including the Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Bel Air, and Beverly Hills. In addition to my many projects, I’ve had the pleasure and honor of completing extensive yet respectful renovations of several homes designed by master architects, including a 1957 Cliff May home in the Pacific Palisades and a 1928 Wallace Neff home in South Pasadena.

Always active in my community, I’m the consultant architect for five local homeowner associations and the go-to architect for local realtors’ questions. I was Chair of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce from 2019 to 2020 and currently a board member of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, where I serve on both the Land Use Committee and the PPCC Community Plan Update Committee.

My Inspiration

As a passionate architect with a deep appreciation for quality and craftsmanship, I draw my inspiration from traditional architectural styles of the past, yet always stay mindful of the demands of the present and with a keen eye to the future. I take the enduring qualities of the classics and marry them to the modern sensibilities of the present day to create a space that is beautiful and timeless yet practical. Whether you’re seeking the warm, rustic charm of Spanish Colonial Revival or the coolly elegant appeal of French Colonial, or any other traditional architectural style in between and beyond, I’ll be there for you and your team from the first sketch to the final walk-through to ensure your vision for your dream home is realized, on time, on budget, and on target.

My Vision

My vision for RLB Architecture is simple: create beautiful, luxurious, and functional homes for my clients while partnering with them every step of the way. A problem-solver at heart, I enjoy the challenge of putting all the pieces together; I listen to your needs and wants and find a way to deliver the results you’re looking for. When I embark on a new assignment, I’m not merely the architect or designer of your project; I’m your trusted guide through the process and, more importantly, the dutiful protector of your interests. Whether it’s a condominium remodel, room addition, new custom home, or a spec house, I will always listen to and collaborate with you and your team to give you the home of your dreams because, after all, it is when your vision is realized that mine is, too.

Accreditations and Awards

2009 LEED® Accredited Professional (LEED AP)
President of the Pacific Palisades Civic League for over 10 years
2019 – 2020 Chairman, Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce
2016 – Present Board Member, Pacific Palisades Community Council
2018 – Present Land Use Committee Member, Pacific Palisades Community Council
2020 – Present Member, Pacific Palisades Community Plan Update Committee
2002 Home Book Design Excellence Award
2000 Calibre Team Award Honorable Mention