Draftsmen & Artists

Founded in 1985, Draftsmen and Artists is a Southern California architectural design firm specializing in residential and commercial projects. We provide comprehensive design, drafting, permitting, and project coordination services, guiding clients from initial concept through construction documentation and agency approvals.

Established by Richard Hyatt, the firm was built on the philosophy that exceptional design comes from understanding both design and construction. That principle continues to shape our approach today.

Today, Draftsmen and Artists is led by Johny Sonson, an architectural designer and project lead with over 20 years of experience delivering custom homes, multi-family developments, restaurants, commercial tenant improvements, and complex renovations throughout Southern California.

Johny oversees projects from concept through permitting, coordinating with clients, consultants, and city agencies to produce thoughtful, buildable, and well-coordinated designs. Prior to leading Draftsmen and Artists, he contributed to the management and execution of more than one million square feet of commercial developments and tenant improvements for leading real estate firms and corporate clients across Southern California.

Our Legacy

Founder Richard Hyatt established Draftsmen and Artists in 1985 after beginning his design career in New York. A graduate of the prestigious Cooper Union, with advanced studies at Carnegie Mellon University and UCLA, Richard built a distinguished career spanning architecture, historic preservation, architectural millwork, and fine fabrication. He is the recipient of two Kaufman's Gold Key Awards and has authored several books and numerous articles on architecture and design.

Throughout his career, Richard emphasized the importance of understanding both design and fabrication, believing that successful projects require expertise in both disciplines.

"To be a good designer, it helps to know how things are built. To be a good fabricator, it helps to understand how things are designed."

His portfolio includes landmark hospitality, commercial, retail, and residential projects such as the Wilshire Grand Hotel, Maui Marriott, Beverly Hills Hotel and Polo Lounge, Trump Park South, Ralph Lauren, Bergdorf Goodman Men's Store, the U.S. Customs House in New York, and numerous private residences throughout the United States, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Great Britain.

Today, Draftsmen and Artists continues that legacy by combining decades of experience with practical project leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to helping clients successfully bring their projects from vision to reality.