Looking for solid, non-flaky architect
Hi-
I'm hoping to add a second story to my Berkeley bungalow and have called multiple architects. I found one that I really like but he is proving to be a little unreliable and flaky. Does anyone have any recommendations for a reasonably priced reliable residential architect that might be willing to work on a project such as mine? I don't want anyone who is too high-end. I'm happy to meet with a design-build firm (though I'm not sure if they are less expensive than a separate architect + contractor) if there are any good referrals for those.
Thanks!
Apr 18, 2024
Parent Replies
Hands down the best architect I have had experience with his JBP architects based in Berkeley. They have done many homes that I've seen both in sf and Berkeley and ours too, and he is incredibly responsive and creative and easy to work with. And I believe cost-effective. Good luck!
We worked with Ogawa Fisher Architects to redesign and update 2 bathrooms in our house, which also involved creating better traffic patterns. It was more involved than just a bathroom redo. The two principles are women and the absolute opposite of flakey. We worked most with Lynn Fisher and I would work with her again in an instant. I cannot recommend them more highly.
Heather Sanders-Jacob at Shelterwerk was our architect for the addition of a third story. She is fantastic. Her email is heather [at] shelterwerk.com (heather[at]shelterwerk[dot]com) DM me for her phone number.
Also look into Sidell Pakravan, a Berkeley based architecture firm.
We did a full gut job plus second floor addition in Berkeley a little over a year ago, we were very happy with Sue!
SLWarchitect [at] gmail.com (SLWarchitect[at]gmail[dot]com)
https://susanlwootanarchitect.com/
We are in the middle of a remodel + addition on a Berkeley bungalow built in 1920 and we worked with Cari Designs https://cari-designs.com/ (510) 467-0768 Cari listened carefully, understood the scope of what we wanted to do, and came up with excellent design solutions to keep the project within our scope/budget/time frame. She and her assistant are well versed in Berkeley building codes, and so the plans they submitted to the city sailed through the permitting process without a hitch, and our project manager/contractor has commented to me that Cari's plans are easy to work with -- very detailed. I could go on and on about what a pleasure it was to work with Cari. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me. (Note: she is not a design/build firm, but she might be able to recommend contractors)
Hi,
You can't go wrong with Levitch Associates. Family firm, been around over 50 years in Berkeley. They're a design-build firm but they can do either or both. They do excellent work and go the extra mile to ensure quality. They have done work on 2 houses for me. Recommend them highly and happy to talk more if you'd like more details.
We are working with Ben Obriecht from Manzanita Design Build and have had a great experience with him so far doing the exact same project you described. He’s responsive via email, thorough and very well-organized.
Amber Evans at Evans Design Studio drew up plans to turn our basement into a primary suite. The project could not have gone any better. She is extremely thorough, communicative, and easy to work with. She had a lot of really creative and great solutions for us, and 3 years later I am still over the moon about my new bedroom. She isn't design build, but she did help us find the right contractor for our project and held our hands throughout. She can be as involved as much or as little as you want her to be. Plus, she has a ton of experience navigating permitting in Berkeley. Evans Design Studio (evans-design-studio.com)
Good luck!