Architect for kitchen and bath remodel
My wife and I live in a craftsman bungalow in Oakland with a very old kitchen and bath which we would like to update. As a result we would like to hire an architect who would be able to draw up new design plans for the two rooms so that we can undertake a complete remodel. Ideally the person should be very familiar and have experience working with the craftsman style and be able to incorporate that type of feeling into the spaces as we are interested in keeping the whole house with that type of look. We would much appreciate recommendations of architects who are friendly, creative, easy to work with and prioritize the clients' wishes over their own. Many thanks.
Nov 21, 2019
Parent Replies
I recommend Susanne Stadler, http://www.stadlerarch.com/. Susanne designed an accessory dwelling unit for us, she did a wonderful job. She's done all kinds of remodels and is very thoughtful about client needs and desires. You can tell her that Rebecca on Chestnut in Berkeley gave you her name.
She's a bit busy now based on years of glowing recommendations on BPN and houses showcased on the Rockridge Kitchen tour, but Rebecca Amato (https://www.amatoarchitecture.com/) is the best -- she did our kitchen, our neighbors', and dozens of others in the area. Ours involved reconfiguring other rooms for more efficiency, our neighbors also moved an interior staircase and completely remodeled their upstairs along with 50% of their downstairs. We both have craftsman-era houses, and Rebecca is masterful at working with your vision as well as maximizing space. Check out her website to see her work. I just can't say enough positive things, although like I said, she's pretty busy these days.
Architect here (non-residential, so this is not a pitch), however I thought I might share some resources that might be helpful for you (or other families looking into renovations.) The AIA (national professional organization) maintains lists of member architects: Below is the East Bay Chapter, but you can also check out the SF chapter listings as well.
http://aiaeb.org/find-an-architect/member-firms/
They also have some publications about what to expect from a design process, and will provide referrals if you email them. Note that not all architecture firms are AIA members, but it's not a bad place to start. I'd recommend talking to a number of different people because how different offices approach projects will vary. There are also some excellent design-build firms in the area (providing both design and construction services) which can give projects a bit more predictability early on. The current construction climate in the Bay Area is intense right now, and both architects and builders are very busy. It may take more attempts than you'd like to connect with someone, but don't give up!