Sanctuary Architects

Name: Sanctuary Architects
Address: 7730 Herschel Ave, Suite O, La Jolla, CA, 92037, United States
Telephone: (619) 980-1627
Rating: 5

24 Reviews

Verified License

Architects

Write a Review

About Us

Online consultation

6x Best of Houzz winner

33 years in business

Designing Beautiful, Sustainable Homes in San Diego | 5x Best of Houzz

Sanctuary Architects excels in creating extraordinary homes of consistent design quality and diverse styles. Honored with 9 Home of the Year awards and distinguished for historical preservation, we are committed to creating homes that are both beautiful and a joy to live in. We are expert in the use of 3D computer technologies throughout the process, bringing great certainty about the outcome of your home. As LEED accredited architects, our hope is that we can soon stop using the term "green" to distinguish sensible design from what came before. That may mean looking back to simpler ways and forward to products and technologies that make sense in a sustainable economy. Mark Lee Christopher, educated at the University of Michigan and a licensed architect for over thirty years, started his practice in La Jolla, California in 1987. Since then, the firm has excelled in creating extraordinary buildings of consistent design quality and diverse styles. Christopher’s experience, creativity, passion and ability to discern exactly what a client is looking for is what has earned him numerous awards and most importantly, the loyalty and respect of his clients. Christopher values the integrity and lasting quality of good design and is committed to creating environments that are both beautiful and a joy to experience. Mr. Christopher also served as adjunct professor of environmental sciences at NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego and is LEED certified.

Awards

•Nine San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyle Magazine Home of the Year Awards •Two San Diego Magazine Best Home Awards •AIA Honor Award •City of San Diego Historic Resources Board Award of Excellence •Member National Trust for Historic Preservation •LEED •BBB A+ Rating

Projects

Inspiration for a large modern multicolored two-story wood and clapboard exterior home remodel in San Diego with a white roof

Business Details

Business Name

Sanctuary Architects

Phone Number

(619) 980-1627

Website

SanctuaryArchitects.com

Address

7730 Herschel Ave, Suite O
La Jolla, CA 92037

Typical Job Cost

$750,000 - 5 million

Depending on the scope of the project. Once the scope of work can be defined, I am happy to set a fixed fee, rather than hourly rates.

License Number

C8842

Followers

407 Followers

Socials

Back to Navigation

Services Provided

Architectural Design

Building Design

Home Remodeling

Architectural Drawings

Custom Homes

House Plans

New Home Construction

Home Additions

Home Extensions

Sustainable Design

Energy-Efficient Homes

Floor Plans

3D Rendering

Green Building

Space Planning

Universal Design

Multigenerational Homes

Historic Building Conservation

Construction Drawings

Custom Home

Back to Navigation

Areas Served

San Diego

University City

Point Loma San Diego

La Jolla

Ocean Beach San Diego

Del Mar

Rancho Santa Fe

Del Mar Heights San Diego

Hill Crest San Diego

Mission Hills San Diego

Back to Navigation

Credentials

Back to Navigation

Featured Review

P C

With Sanctuary Architects, we received the dedicated efforts of a highly-experienced architect whose previous background also included substantial real-world construction experience. Mark is an extremely detailed architect who worked extraordinarily Read Full Review

Write a Review

24 Reviews for Sanctuary Architects

Newest first

5.0|24 reviews

Work Quality

5.0

Communication

5.0

Value

5.0

Scott Crosby

Mark is a world-class architect and the creator of the finest house in Crown Point. His inspired reimagining of a 1927 Spanish bungalow (1750 sf) into our dream project (4700 sf) elicits "wows" from passers-by and countless cell phone photos (to the point we sometimes pretend to pose for them in the kitchen). If and when we have another major undertaking like this, Mark will be our first call. He is, without exaggeration, the best possible choice. His services are fairly priced for the quality on offer, but, of course, you get what you pay for.

November 22, 2021

Paul Butler

I have know Mark for 6 years now on a professional and personal level... I felt comfortable from the very beginning with Mark and referred him to my very best clients. That client hired Mark to design what would ultimately be a 7M home in Del Mar. Mark was creative and tireless on this challenging project that resulted in Del Mar design review board approval taking 2 years. Mark made me look like a hero to my client.

June 9, 2020

Comment from Sanctuary Architects:

Thank you for your kind words, and your continuing friendship!

P C

September 11, 2017

Mary Gluck

After looking for several years for an architect to design the house of our dreams we found Mark Christopher. Our house design was so complicated - not just with the design but also the structure. We feel so blessed to have worked with Mark for the last two years and we are now excited to see this dream built which would have never happened if we had not found Mark!

August 21, 2017Last modified:August 21, 2017

Jim Freeman

Mark helped us with the restoration and remodel of our 1905 Craftsman/Victorian home in Bankers Hill. We had a lot of work to do to restore it to its original 1905 look in order to get the historical designation approval from the city. Mark did a fantastic job working with the city and getting all of his plans approved and signed off on. We could not have done it without him. We received our historical designation in June of 2016. Thank you for a job well done Mark!

December 29, 2016Last modified:December 29, 2016

Comment from Sanctuary Architects:

Thank you, Jim. It was a delight to work with you and Jing. Congratulations on preserving an important piece of San Diego history.

Ruth Gautereaux

Mark Christopher is an extremely talented architect, well-versed in contemporary as well as historic design. He relates easily to clients and colleagues and is capable of meeting budgets and deadlines.

December 19, 2016

Jan Horn

Mark's work shows the transformative power of how exquisite architecture can make us feel better. His houses are simply stunning. Architectural details are subtle, sublime, and exacting. He is a master of his craft and anyone lucky enough to be his client will never regret it. I wholeheartedly recommend Mark.

December 18, 2016

jacquelinerdo

Mark has been an incredible asset during our design process for our functional and timeless family home. His expertise and vision has helped translate our ideas into our dream home.

June 8, 2016

TFLA Landscape Architects

Mark Christopher masterfully develops creative yet timeless designs that reflect each individual client's needs and desires. He offers sophisticated designs with clean lines and keen attention to detail. This equates to thoughtful designs with no wasted space. Additionally, Mark's projects provide a heart and soul essential to excellent design. With a deep understanding of design and construction techniques, Mark is a creative thinker, able to solve space-use issues that enhance his designs. In addition, Mark stretches the imagination and is a pleasure to work with. As a bonus, his presentation skills allow his buildings to come alive in complete three-dimensional, rotating space.

July 3, 2014

bluelp

Mark is a thoughtful architect who thoroughly understands how to craft an attractive, creative solution from his client's needs and desires. He is careful to understand the detailed limitations and potentials of a remodel or new construction site. He is mindful of the changing needs of a family over time, as children grow up and leave, etc... We enjoy our interaction with him and trust his judgement.

May 19, 2014

langchuck

Mark Christopher is an excellent architect. He has a great understanding of a client's needs and is able to articulate those needs into very comprehensive and beautifully detailed plans, plans that eventually lead to a wonderful home.

May 17, 2014

Stevens Turner Construction Inc.

In a world of many designers, Mark is a true consommé in the architectural arena. A master of space, his floor plans are superior in functionality, making the traffic flow effortless and easy and his elevations outstanding, using both passive heating and cooling technology, with artistic flare, giving every house his signature look. Mark is truly one of the modern day Frank Lloyd Wrights' Steve, Stevens Turner Construction Inc.

May 13, 2014

jimneri

I have had the pleasure of working with Sanctuary on several beautiful homes. Mark's attention to detail always raises the bar for the landscape architecture and the value he places on client and consultant collaboration is proved on every project.

May 11, 2014

Tony Parker General Builders inc

I had the pleasure of meeting Mark in 1988 and have worked on several projects with him over the years. Mark is a very talented architect; his creativity and professionalism show in all his projects. He is one of the true masters of his trade.

May 7, 2014

terryschwartz

We were leaning towards choosing Mark Christopher as the architect for our Del Mar home because of the rave reviews from former clients and the artistic details on view in his homes. Once we called him, Mark's easy going yet confident manner immediately won us over as he described his experience using Archi-cad, an amazing 3-D design program. Being out-of-town owners, we liked Mark's high-tech capabilities, knowing we would not only be able to view his exterior designs online, but would also see how our ideas looked INSIDE after he input the parameters into Archi-cad. We can virtually wallk around our future home including seeing the actual views out each window! Mark has great esthetic sensibilities and often comes up with unique solutions to solve tough constraints. We have enjoyed our collaboration so far and look forward living in the finished product!!

May 6, 2014

SD HomeCare

I've been working in construction for over 30 years and the last 20 as a Contractor and I can tell you from experience that Mark Christopher is an outstanding Architect both to work with and to have design your project. His attention to detail is unparalleled, his expertise, evident in all of his work and his personality and character make him a pleasure to work with. I don't think I am overstating when I say I couldn't recommend him highly enough. Don Steigerwald

May 6, 2014

Cabochon Surfaces & Fixtures

We recently worked with Mark of Sanctuary Architects on a residential project and could not have been more impressed. From our first interaction it was clear how dedicated he is to his craft and clients. He was prepared with all layouts and drawings making it very easy for the flooring and bath layouts to come together on our end. Mark is very involved with his customers and is part of the process from the preliminary all the way through, you can tell that he makes himself extremely available to them. Mark was also a great facilitator during selections and helped pull out the customers creativity and really harness their needs. We look forward to working with Sanctuary Architects again in the future and highly recommend them to our clients.

March 13, 2014

oancira

Sanctuary Architects designed the exterior remodeling of our 1924 Spanish Mediterranean Revival mansion. Mark Christopher creative design seamlessly incorporated the existing architecture style in the improvements and additions. We are extremely pleased with the outcome and the resulting increase in our property's value. Fantastic job!

November 19, 2013

Jonathan Hangartner

We worked with Mark Christopher on our residential project which was completed 5 years ago. As much as we loved the house in every way when we first moved in, five years later we only appreciate his skill even more. I can't count the number of times strangers drive up and go out of their way to tell us how much they love the house, and its not uncommon to find people standing out front with their own builder or architect talking about the house. We love it even more as time passes because it lives beautifully, and seems to adapt to our needs as our kids grow up. Mark took the time to understand our family dynamics and has designed the space so beautifully that we use every square inch of it. Finally, Mark is always a pleasure to work with, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

November 4, 2013

Samuel Michan

Mark was very professional, he delivered an amazing project , great attention to details, the result is one of the best houses in la Jolla. I will hire them again!

October 31, 2013

dmb3338

I bought a small house in La Jolla, California with the intention of adding a second story. This is a difficult project because of the shape of the lot and various local building restrictions. After interviewing several architects, I hired Mark Christopher because I liked his professionalism, the quality and design elements of his work, and his attention to detail. I also felt we could work well together. At this point, after much discussion, we have preliminary plans and are working on the budget. One of the virtues of the way that Christopher works is that we plan and budget everything down to the door hinges. He develops a virtual model so that one can “see” the finished product before it is built. I expect this will be very useful for me because I find it difficult to visualize the final product from plans.

February 14, 2013

williamfpool

The home design was insipred with a high level of detail in the plans. The use of sophisticated software in the preparation of the plans allowed for useful 3-D viewing. The vast knowledge and experience of Sanctuary Architecs will result in an outsanding product that my wife and I can throughly enjoy for a lifetime.

January 27, 2013

doitagain

Mark Christopher introduced me to what an architect is supposed to do. I have used him on 3 projects - the first in 1989 on a 1958 California Ranch-style house. Then in 1991 on an English Cottage and again in 1996 on a 1926 Moorish/Spanish house. In each case he created additions which enhanced the original look of the house, improved the flow of the house, and most importantly, did it without evidence of an addition. He is easy to talk with, understood what I wanted and at times had to convince me to take a second look. He saw things I didn't see and described them to me in a way I could understand. My regret is that I do not have another house to remodel.

January 22, 2013

Susan Parkinson

Mark Christopher is an excellent architect. He has been working with us on creative designs for our home remodel in the San Diego area. Mark is personable and easy to work with. He is a great communicator and listener and he strives to design in accordance with our lifestyle and our architectural tastes. He pays meticulous attention to details and comes up with creative ideas that are a joy to behold. Although we have not yet been through the construction process, we are familiar with Mark's work as we have seen the beautiful results of his work in the home our one of our neighbors.

January 22, 2013

Back to Navigation

Frequently Asked Questions

We specialize in creating extraordinary homes, including custom homes, new home construction, home additions, and remodels. Our portfolio showcases diverse styles, from Mid-Century Modern to Spanish and Modern, always with a focus on consistent design quality and creating beautiful, joyful living spaces.

Yes, we provide comprehensive architectural services from initial concept through construction. Our process includes detailed architectural design, construction drawings, and we offer onsite services to ensure the design intent is realized, bringing certainty and quality to your project's outcome.

Absolutely, designing fully custom homes is a core part of our expertise. We pride ourselves on creating extraordinary, unique residences tailored to each client's vision, ensuring consistent design quality and diverse styles that are both beautiful and a joy to live in.

Yes, we have extensive experience across diverse architectural styles. Our portfolio includes projects in Mid-Century Modern, Spanish, and Modern styles, among others. We excel at creating extraordinary homes that reflect consistent design quality, regardless of the specific aesthetic.

Absolutely. We specialize in creating extraordinary, high-end homes, evidenced by our numerous accolades, including nine San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyle Magazine Home of the Year Awards. Our focus is on consistent design quality and crafting residences that are both beautiful and a joy to experience.

FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.

Back to Navigation

10 Ideabooks

Back to Navigation

35 Comments

Commented: Do you have information about the stucco and trim paint colors Thanks for your inquiry about the stucco and trim paint colors on this home. Actually, the trim is canterra stone, carved in Mexico. The stucco color is a custom color created by Expo Stucco. They ...

February 27, 2017

Commented: Image use?Hi Jess: Thank you for contacting me about use of this photo. Yes, I'd be pleased to have you use it. It is, by far, the most viewed image I have on Houzz.com. Please give photo credit to James B...

February 16, 2017

Commented: What kind of flooring is being used in sunset cliff house?Thank you for your query. The floor used is Durango travertine. Any stone flooring supplier should have it. It is commonly used in Southern California because it is quarried in Mexico. Also, there is ...

January 22, 2017

Commented: Is there any concern for too much grout?Sarah: Thanks for your question about grout with this form of tile. Actually, the grout serves an important role in keeping the floor slip-resistant. I, generally, like to keep the grout lines thin...

January 5, 2017

Commented: RailingThanks for your inquiry regarding the railing. As is usually the case, the GC selected the fabricator. Feel free to contact RGB Construction in San Diego. Thanks, Mark

November 17, 2016

Commented: Floor grout colorI tend to use a natural grey grout color because it is so versatile and because I usually want the grout lines to be distinct from the stone or tile itself.

April 18, 2016

Sanctuary Architects