Terra Studio

We can’t say enough good things about Tim Kerner. He was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. As first-time renovators, we had a lot to learn, and Tim guided us every step of the way. He’s knowledgeable, collaborative, and supportive, but also isn’t afraid to push back when it matters, which we really appreciated. We’re thrilled with how everything turned out and give Tim a lot of credit for that. He helped us think through the big decisions early on and paid just as much attention to the small details—down to things like vanity knobs. He’s thoughtful, easy to work with, and incredibly responsive with drawings. Thank you, Tim!

We used to Tim and his team to dramatically improve an old row house near Rittenhouse Sq and he delivered in every definition of the word. He brought him in early and he did a design and shaped our plans, working with us on many aspects of the implementation. The outcome is a beautiful and amazing renovation. Every time we walk in, we remark how beautiful it is.

We had an amazing experience with Tim! We had an extensive renovation to finish our basement that included removing the joists, digging out portions, and underpinning. He helped us figure out the most effective way to approach the project and handled the planning and permits (which felt as daunting as the construction itself!). He worked with our contractor to make sure everything was going according to plan, and Amy the structural engineer was great onsite. The project has exceeded our expectations! We feel lucky to have found such a great team. We plan to use Tim for any future projects.

Tim was instrumental in the extensive renovation of our Center City townhouse. He led us through all phases of the project from concept and design through documentation and construction. Tim provided the right balance between creativity and practicality. Tim was accessible and easy to work with and he added great value by interfacing with our general contractor and other vendors. We highly recommend Tim and Terra Studio.

Tim was great with our project, especially with it running much longer than it was estimated. Very patient! Thanks again!

Terra Studios did a fantastic job! They listened to exactly what I wanted and even brought elements I couldn’t have even dreamed of! Tim Kerner was extremely professional and was always available to answer all of our questions and concerns. He made the scary process of an addition to our home so much easier and I could actually enjoy the process! Highly recommend!

When it came to home renovation, we had never attempted anything more ambitious than installing a new backsplash. So, when we bought an old house and planned to knock down walls, move staircases, move a laundry room two floors up, and renovate a large basement space, we had no idea where to start. And then came Tim... Tim's calm and thoughtful approach brought our anxiety down, allowing us to focus less on the fear of taking on this project and more on the new ways we could use our space. Tim presented beautiful drawings and explained every element of the design. And then HE LISTENED, iterated the designs and we ended up with a space that is so beautiful, so functional, so US! We thought our new basement would be the place where we could send our very spirited children when we wanted some space. Instead, we all spend almost ALL of our time in the basement Tim designed. We love it, and it doesn't feel like a basement AT ALL. It feels like a beautiful living room, complete with wet bar, powder room and music studio. Tim also managed all of the things we would never, ever want to oversee--putting the project out to bid, selecting and presenting the best bids, working with the GC to execute his plans, running interference for any questions for the GC/City/other during the process so we didn't need to worry about construction details, permitting issues, etc. If something required us to make a decision, Tim would present the options, give his opinion on which option he thought would work best, and then he would step back and let us make the call. Whether this is your first renovation or you are a seasoned renovator, Tim is the perfect person to bring your dreams to life. We could not recommend him more highly. Hire Tim--not only will you not regret it; you won't be able to remember what your space was like before he transformed it!

Terra was pleasure to work with. They are organized, friendly, and our mutual client loved them. We look forward to the next opportunity to work together!

We wanted to build out a powder room addition on our first floor and we had no idea how to do it. Tim helped us navigate through the entire process - thinking it through, design, architecture, permits, getting contractor bids, managing our contractor, and being involved throughout the entire build. Tim made it all very easy and we couldn't be happier with both the process and the results.

We worked with Tim Kerner on a major renovation of a late 19th-century Philadelphia rowhouse. We were looking for an architect who shared our vision of maintaining the beautiful original features in the house, while updating it for modern living; Tim did that, and much more. His designs for the space were both practical and visionary - we loved the way he thought big, and yet stayed attentive to detail and preservation. The house presented quite a few layout challenges due to the relatively confined footprint and our wish to retain some of its older elements; his creative solutions have created a welcoming and spacious effect that is nothing short of remarkable, and make it an absolute pleasure to live in. And on top of all that, Tim is great to work with - he's a good listener, an effective communicator, and has the respect of the contractors on the job (they would perk up visibly when hearing his name!). He's always willing to answer questions or consider different ideas, and was invaluable in helping us navigate the complexities of an extended project that encompassed every floor of the house, as well as a new roof deck. He connected us with terrific contractors, guided us through the bid process, and was involved and available throughout the work. We're so grateful to Tim and Terra Studio for making this house possible!

For a project that could have easily been overwhelming, Tim kept the job flowing and low-stress. He's a pleasure to work with, patient, thorough, and ... patient! He considered all of our needs and ideas and produced a beautiful and efficient plan. Tim followed up through all our phases from start to finish, and we are extremely pleased with our end result. He stayed within his stated costs, and was 100% worth it. I have no reservations recommending Terra Studio - and in fact I already have to several people.

In addition to his creative ideas and meticulous work ethic, which resulted in a beautiful nearly 4,000 square foot Center home built from the ground up, Tim's charm and easy going manner helped to make a very stressful time much less so. We experienced a successful architect/client relationship which was instrumental in making the project a smooth sailing one. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him and was very impressed with regard to his involvement all throughout the entire building process. Thank you, Terra Studio!!

Excellent. I never hired or worked with an architect before, and was unsure of the process or what to expect. Tim made the entire process very approachable and easy to navigate. He answered all of my questions, and explained things every step of the way and was never put off or bothered by the inquiries. He is knowledgeable, personable, professional, and very easy to work with. He was timely, and I found the cost reasonable.

From start to finish Tim provided professional and meticulous care of my project. He was extremely knowledgeable and thorough in all aspects from the initial plan to execution. He was also an effective communicator, calm, professional and very easy to work with. He offered his expertise but also allowed me to have many choices. He took on unforeseen issues effortlessly. Tim is the perfect combination of creative/design;scientific/mathematical as well as practical/efficient.

Terra Studio and Tim were great to work with. My job, building a roof deck in center city Philadelphia, was a bit unique. Terra Studio came recommended from my contractor because of their previous working relationship (which is always a good sign). Terra Studio knew how the process worked, building out the design for the roofdeck, making sure everything would be up to code, and followed up at every step of the process to ensure the job was done, and done right.

We hired Tim to help us design and execute the full renovation of our 4,000 square foot house in center city Philadelphia. The renovation included structural and masonry alterations to the house, the addition of another bathroom on the second floor, complete rearrangement of the kitchen layout, replacement of all windows and doors, and redesign of the staircase and adjoining atrium going from the ground floor to the fourth-floor roof deck. Our job was particularly challenging because the two of us did not always agree on how to approach a design issue, much less the ultimate design choice. From the very start, Tim worked closely with both of us to ascertain what we were looking for, and we had frequent regular meetings to review Tim's design proposals and make decisions on how to proceed. Tim is highly creative as well as open-minded, and he is also a wonderful collaborator. With each aspect of the design, from the garage expansion to the redesign of the roof to include a beautiful set of angled skylights, Tim helped us by first suggesting a variety approaches to a design, then proposing several designs within the approach we chose, and then finalizing the design for construction. A significant design issue for us was how to maximize the light in the house despite only having windows in the front and back. The original structure had a narrow, awkward atrium running up through the middle of the house, and the stairs that surrounded it were bounded by waist-high dry wall serving as the railings. We knew we wanted to open up the structure through the center of the house, but we could not agree on how best to approach the problem. Tim worked tirelessly with us to help us come to a final consensus about the design that ultimately turned out to be the centerpiece of the house. Everyone who comes to the house comments on how the atrium and stairs flow beautifully from top to bottom and create a warm bright environment throughout the house. One other aspect of Tim's work that bears mention, is he not only suggested great general contractors for us to consider, but he made the bid process simple and easy for us. After that he continued to follow through on the execution of the plan through all aspects of construction, working closely with our GC and the subs, and helped us handle the inevitable issues that arise in the field. In sum, we found Tim to be a brilliant designer, wonderful collaborator, and dedicated professional from start to finish.

More than happy, my family is living and enjoying the renewed house so much. As expected, the original idea was accomplished with great success - "stylish longer lasting country house". The high quality project, the ability to understand objective and emotional requirements, and great support to the execution were fundamental to the final result. I am extremely thankful to Terra Studio.

Tim Kerner was our architect in our home renovation (garage to kitchen, new powder, master bedroom & bath... ~$200,000). We used him through the entire project. He was very responsive to our needs & had great creative energy during the design process. Even our contractor said "Tim's plans are complete. We can build from them." Tim was also valuable as our construction supervisor. He noticed the little things early. He recognized an error by the carpenters in framing the windows well before it was unrecoverable & saved us money. In a walk through of the house, he pointed one door that was stylistically different than all the others. None of us had recognized it and we left it as is, but it's just a comment on Tim's attention to detail. Having lived in the space for 10 yrs now and seeing how similar homes in our neighborhood have been modified... we are extremely happy, it fits so well and Tim was a big part of it. Needless to say, we recommend him highly. Less

This is the second design project Tim has done for us, and we are overwhelmed with how beautifully our new bathroom came out. He worked well with our builder to find common sense ways to cut costs but deliver a bathroom that we love.

Tim designed a renovated kitchen and converted a pantry into a powder room, cloakroom, and storage closet. He was receptive to our design ideas despite the fact that they did not always conform to his tastes. Tim was easy to communicate with and, of great importance, kept to the schedule. We would readily hire him again.

To put it simply, when I have another project to do in Philadelphia, I will hire Tim again with no hesitation. Tim listened to all our requirements and tuned into our personalities to deliver a house extension and renovation that is just stunning. His dedication to the project, constant involvement, attention to details, flexibility and above all ability to create beautiful and comfortable modern spaces makes him a great architect.

Everyone who sees this apartment renovation absolutely loves it. I get so many compliments for what was basically a low cost renovation for a rental apartment. Tim has such great design aesthetics, and he created more with less: more space, more light, and more functionality, He did a great job choosing and supervising construction, and he very carefully listened to all my concerns and suggestions. He was also great at helping to choose items for kitchen, bath, floors, etc., and his suggestions were always the right ones. Working with Tim was the last thing I expected from a renovation -- FUN!

I worked with Tim on a major home renovation in 2005. Tim designed attractive, light-filled spaces that made my home much more attractive and easier to live in. His thorough services extended to the small details of selecting light fixtures and door knobs. I really appreciated that Tim joined all of the ongoing meetings with the building contractor and made sure that everything was completed according to the design specs. It's ten years later, and I'm still very pleased with the 'new' spaces. I've strongly recommended Tim to family, friends and colleagues searching for an architect for home renovations.

Lang Construction LLC has worked with Terra Studio and Tim Kerner on numerous projects for over 6 years. Possessing a sophisticated design aesthetic, Tim's designs incorporate the client's needs, vision and budget. As craftsmen we appreciate Tim's creativity and attention to detail,as well as his ability to be respectful of the collaborative effort that is required to build a finely designed space. Tim provides a level of professionalism that is rare in the construction industry today

Tim was recommended to me by a friend who used his services for a partial home renovation that was similar in scope to the project I eventually undertook. From start to finish, Tim was a delight to partner with. He was always attuned to my needs, he translated those needs into unique yet practical design ideas, and he was flexible in adjusting course when necessary. Tim was also adept at explaining the rationale behind his recommendations and the pros and cons of alternatives, a skill set that was immensely helpful in facilitating my decision-making. I highly recommend Tim as a trustworthy, level-headed partner whose know-how and responsiveness I found to be invaluable to turning my vision for my home into reality.

I found Terra Studio very pleasant to work with and I highly recommend them. Their pricing is fair and they are experts in what they are doing. I had an entire first floor completely redesigned by them and I am very happy with the final result.

Working with Tim on the addition to our house has been a great experience. Collaborating with him to develop a final design that was contextual with our 1865 house was a rewarding process. Tim really listened to us, and created designs that achieved our goals in ways we would never have thought of. His technical work is top-notch; his plans are complete, detailed and clear. He works well with the builders, keeping them in line with a firm but respectful, friendly manner. Working with Tim has really given us a great view of the design process, and what goes into making a great house!

This was a major project: a virtually total demolition and year-long reconstruction of a Philadelphia townhouse. Tim's designs were sophisticated and creative, and he assembled a terrific team, including a savvy designer and an outstanding general contractor. I'd hire Tim and Terra again in a minute.

Our home is in an historic section of Philadelphia protected under three major codes. By way of further complication, the major space enhancement renovations we were pursuing required several zoning variances. Architect TIm Kerner, a principal of Terra Studio, provided exceptional design services to ensure that our new construction met our needs for internal usage while fitting in quietly with an historic environment. Terra Studio also facilitated the approval process, ensuring that our investment in their design transitioned to functional construction. Our space was limited and complicated. Terra Studio provided "cubic inch" attention to design. Beyond expectations, they provided an independent source of expertise in areas such as creation and approval of competitive bids and project review and oversight. When the project was over and all checks had been signed, Terra also provided maintenance guidance. Terra provided a full spectrum of services, from approvals to completion to maintenance. As a consumer who rarely engages in construction, their services were much more than expected and were critical in making our space dreams come true.

We worked with Tim Kerner on our full house renovation in downtown Philadelphia in 2009. He is very meticulous, thorough and thoughtful in his approach. He does not rush through decisions or projects. He communicated well with our general contractor. Also, when it came time to make decisions about lighting fixtures and other hardware around the house, he sent me some links online of ideas to choose from, to make the process less overwhelming. I found this extremely helpful. Tim is patient and easy to work with and I would hire him again for another project, or recommend him to anyone. I cannot speak to his rates because we did not get other estimates (as he also worked on a family member's project, so we knew we wanted to work with him). We are thrilled the way our house turned out.