Wald Ruhnke & Dost Architects

Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects, LLP is Monterey County's largest and most active architectural firm, with a legacy of supporting and designing socially meaningful projects throughout our community. Since its foundation in 1963, our firm has completed more than 2,000 projects in the Monterey Bay region, including many well-loved local landmarks.

Our firm attracts and fosters an environment for the community's most talented and professional team of architects to do what they do best - design and help develop functional and beautiful buildings and interiors to support both public and private enterprises. Those who work with us know our reputation of integrity, professionalism, trustworthiness, and excellence.

"I have had lots of ups and downs with architecture firms and yours is by far, the best!" Anna Foglia, Sun Street Centers

Our History

Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects, LLP started with Don Wald, whose lifelong love of the Monterey Peninsula began in his late teens while he was stationed at the former Fort Ord U.S. Army base. Upon his honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant, Don returned to his home state and studied Architecture at the University of Illinois. Even after his studies were interrupted by his service in the Korean War, Don completed his bachelor's degree at U of I. After graduating, Don developed cutting-edge construction methods for locally built modular churches, hundreds of which were shipped across the United States.

During an assignment as field superintendent in California, Don and his wife Cynthia decided to relocate to the Monterey Peninsula. Don Wald & Associates established Don opened his own office in Pacific Grove in November 1963 and immediately went on to design a number of well-loved local landmarks including the Gateway Center, Sally Griffin Senior Center, and an addition to Pacific Grove's Natural History Museum. Don also designed a 20,000-square-foot "Super Home" which, at the time, was the second largest home in California - after Bob Hope's.

In 1970, Don moved his office to Downtown Monterey, where he led the design of more than 2,000 Central Coast projects. The birth of a partnership Upon retiring in 1994, Don hand-picked employees Henry Ruhnke and Frank Dost to lead the firm. Within a decade, the two new principals expanded WRD Architects to one of the largest and most successful firms in Northern California.

To accommodate the firm's growth in 2005, Henry and Frank established WRD Architects' present-day 2340 Garden Road location, near the Monterey Airport and Ryan Ranch, an adjacent commercial business park district, which now features 19 buildings designed by Henry. Reflecting the firm's increasingly public focus, WRD began to develop many significant civic facilities on the Monterey Peninsula, including the Monterey County Health Department and Tynan Village.

Stepping into the future In 2010, Henry embarked on an ambitious plan to revitalize Downtown Monterey and established the guiding principles of the Downtown Specific Plan. He also began to plan for change and growth within the firm, and named Christopher Barlow as fellow principal when Frank Dost retired in 2011.

Design Process

At Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects, our design process is centered around collaboration, creativity, and community engagement. We believe that every project is unique and deserves an innovative solution that meets the specific needs of our clients and the community they serve. We pride ourselves on being responsive, flexible, and dedicated to delivering high-quality design solutions that enhance the lives of those who use the spaces we create.

Our Staff

Our team is made up of talented, dedicated professionals who are passionate about creating functional and beautiful spaces. From our experienced principals to our newest team members, we are committed to excellence in every aspect of our work. We believe that our staff is our greatest asset, and we continually invest in their growth and development to ensure that we are always providing the best possible service to our clients.

WRD News

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates from Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects. Check out our latest projects, awards, and community involvement on our blog.