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Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda

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Orinda / 50 mi
Architects & Building Designers
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7,049 Professionals

Featured Reviews for Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda

Rebecca Schnier Architecture
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsJuly 22, 2015
“I highly recommend Rebecca Schnier Architecture. Rebecca has done several projects for us, including a 1000sf upper level addition, kitchen and bathroom remodels. The first project was in 2001 and the last one in 2012. She does beautiful design work that is very functional. She asks questions to be sure she understands her clients needs and taste. She offers design options and always has her clients best interests in mind. She is very creative and resourceful in her use of space. She is a pleasure to work with and delivers beautiful results.”
Sofiov Design
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsMarch 13, 2023
“I have been working and collaborating with Allen for a few years. He has been helping me with my projects and helped me to create stunning renderings and designs for my clients. I truly recommend them to everyone that looks for stunning interiors & exterior deign”
Marc Newman Architect
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsMarch 14, 2021
“Excellent clear and honest communication. I look forward to working with Marc in the future. I would highly recommend Marc to anyone.”
KYLE CHAN ARCHITECT
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsJanuary 19, 2015
“Before I begin my remodel plan, I was debating whether or not I should hire a professional architect, and I am glad I did. Kyle is extremely knowledgable and resourceful, he organize and oversee the whole project, as well as fill in every little detail that I probably will neglect. Not only he design a cost effective layout for us, tackle all the structural issues, he also help me deal with all the permit and legal hassle so that I can concentrate on shopping for my new sofa and coffee machine. Working with Kyle is such a pleasant experience, he is responsive, honest, and detail oriented. Having Kyle as my professional architect is the best decision I made throughout the entire project!!”
Barry & Wynn Architects, Inc.
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsMarch 21, 2016
“Barry and Wynn are talented, visionary architects who create beautiful works that both blend with the surroundings but also stand on their own in terms of individual character and timeless beauty. They have completed two commercial projects for me, one having one the prestigious Gold Nugget Award.”
Studio S Squared Architecture, Inc.
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsOctober 4, 2012
“Eugene Sakai stood out far above the pack of the 5 Architectural firms that we investigated to do our total house construction. He was simply the best to deal with, very professional, on time, and took a personal interest in the project, and within budget. We moved in 2 years ago and still love him and the contractor, C.W. Wright in San Carlos. We are pleased to show the house through Eugene Sakai at any time.”
SDG Architects
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsAugust 3, 2015
“Jeff Potts at SDG designed us an incredible, award winning guest house! What I particularly like about Jeff is his open and approachable style. We've worked with many architects over the years and many simply don't want to listen to the client. Jeff listens and then delivers a design beyond your expectations. I would highly recommend working with them.”
Bay 9 Architects
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsFebruary 24, 2014
“The master bedroom,office and bathroom are superb. a big WOW. We couldn't be happier. Lun Chan Associates are artistic, creative, dependable, and very honest. The job was done on schedule and very reasonable....We highly recommend them.”
Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsNovember 1, 2012
“We worked with Dotter & Solfjeld most recently to design an Italian villa on a hillside in Saratoga, CA. This was actually our third project together as they worked on an expansion and remodel of our previous house in Palo Alto as well. As soon as we bought the lot in Saratoga Russ and Wencke, of D&S, began studying the landscape, spending significant time at different points in the day to intimately understand the light, the views and the flow of the hillside. Russ and Wencke are experts at both exterior and interior architecture and design, and they are an amazing team! Once they felt they knew the property, they spent time with us to understand what we liked and disliked and then began designing our house based largely on Italian building principles of thick walls and simple, yet elegant, construction. D&S involved us in every step of the process and ensured we were completely comfortable with each phase of the design before moving forward. They totally went above and beyond the call of duty by diligently working with our planning department and even one neighbor. They were our advocates with the City and were clearly extremely well respected by everybody they interfaced with. During the building process, D&S worked closely with our contractor and foreman to ensure that the project ran smoothly and stayed on budget. Often times, there is tension between architects and contractors, but our contractor loved working with D&S. Some of our friends have also used D&S to design ultra modern homes...D&S is super versatile and we unequivocally and enthusiastically recommend them.”
Ogle Design & Architecture
Architects, Architecture Firms, & Building Designers in Orinda
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsApril 18, 2017
“Consistently refreshing creative architectural designs. William is a unique architect that understands deeply how to create highly functional buildings that are both efficient and gorgeous. Great work and extremely professional. Highly recommend.”
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Architect or Building Designer FAQs
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Or browse through the list of trusted Architects & Building Designers in Orinda on Houzz: See Orinda Architects & Building Designers’ profiles, dive into their work photos and check out customer reviews.
  1. Reach out to the pro(s) you want, then share your vision to get the ball rolling.
  2. Request and compare quotes, then hire the Architect & Building Designer that perfectly fits your project and budget limits.
The most popular Architect Services in Orinda are:
  • Building Design
  • Custom Homes
  • Drafting
  • Energy-Efficient Homes
  • Floor Plans
  • Green Building
  • Historic Building Conservation
There are 7,513 Architects & Building Designers, registered on Houzz in Orinda.

The architect will help you throughout the entire process, from initial concept development to managing the construction phase and ensuring everything is built according to plan. They will also collaborate with other professionals, such as builders and contractors in Orinda, to bring your dream home to life.

By working with a residential architect, you can benefit from their knowledge and experience in creating unique and personalized spaces that reflect your style and lifestyle. They will guide you through the design and construction process, making sure that your home is not only visually appealing but also practical and safe.

Consulting with an architect in Orinda early on allows you to bring your residential vision to life in the most efficient and effective way possible.

  1. It’s best to involve an architect early in the planning stage of your project to benefit from their expertise and guidance.
  2. Hire an architect before selecting a builder or contractor to streamline the construction process.
  3. While there isn’t a specific time of year, consider engaging an architect during quieter periods like summer. It allows for more thoughtful discussions, better availability, and potentially shorter project queues.
Why Hire Architects & Building Designers on Houzz?
7,049Local Pros on Houzz Who Serve Orinda, CA
164,673Local Projects on Houzz by Architects & Building Designers
1M+Total Number of Reviews Left by Homeowners
Is the scope of your home design project beyond simply replacing countertops or flooring? It’s the responsibility of an Orinda home architect to transform human needs and desires into visual concepts and habitable structures. When you hire an architectural designer, you are not only hiring someone for their architectural services, but also to manage and coordinate other parties involved in the project. As you search through Orinda, CA interior architects and designers, keep in mind the following tips to help you choose the perfect one:

How do I find the best Orinda architect for my home design project?


It is best to hire a home architect who will be involved in all phases of the design process, from the initial concept to the completed construction. The architect is often the first person you will hire for your project. If necessary, they might also help you select and hire California subcontractors, which can include the builders, engineers and landscaper. Interior architects are also involved in negotiating contracts for all involved participants. It is for these reasons that it is extremely important for you to have a good relationship with the Orinda residential architect you hire. He or she can be the tie-breaking vote between you and the general contractor and can be your biggest advocate during the construction process. Different architecture firms in Orinda, CA provide different services, so the scope of the work can span from pre-design environmental impact studies to selecting furniture and finishes, depending on what your specific needs are.

What sort of process can I expect from a residential architect?


As far as the process goes, the architecture firm or individual that you choose will start with concept drawings and finish with construction drawings and documents. Some firms even design with 3D renderings and videos, but that should not be assumed. There should be plenty of meetings between you and your building designer until you have agreed upon a design that you are completely happy with. Always keep in mind that the designer will have building codes to follow, and likely pre-existing design limitations when dealing with a remodel, so while they might not be able to execute your exact ideas they always have your safety and aesthetics in mind. One of the most important duties of a residential architect is to serve as managers and supervise most aspects of construction, as well as facilitate communication between all other contractors, so you can expect them to be present throughout the entire building process to ensure everything is executed as planned.

It is very important to hire the right professional for the job. Remember that the most well-known or established designer might not provide the best architectural services for your needs. It all comes down to the individual project. Research and ask people whose work you like for recommendations. It's important to have somewhat of an idea of the style of house architecture that you prefer, as well as the amount you would like to spend. Residential architects in Orinda, CA are natural problem solvers. They will assess the entire situation and help you to solve your problems too. Don't settle for a single company too early. Call and interview a few. Make sure that you feel like your personalities will mesh well and that you like their professional perspective.

Questions to ask prospective Orinda interior architects:


  • What is your fee structure?
  • What does the cost include?
  • Do you have professional liability insurance?
  • Can you handle my special requests (ADA, LEED etc.)?
  • What types of renderings (3D, video, illustrative) will you produce?
  • What is your experience with similar projects?
  • When do you expect to start and be finished with the project?
  • What do your services include? (It's best that the services are until construction is completed.)
  • What happens when the cost exceeds the budget?
  • Can you provide me with references?
  • Would you say your work has a defining style? (This is important in case the architect's personal style will interfere with your vision.)
  • Will you help with hiring a general contractor and subcontractors?
  • What do you estimate the cost will be?
  • What will I need to provide?
  • Are there any complications you foresee with this project?


Find a home architect in Orinda, CA on Houzz. Narrow your search in the Professionals section of the website to Orinda architects. You may also look through photos of California projects to find interior architects and building designers who have worked on a project similar to yours.

Find architects and building designers near me on Houzz

Before you hire an architect or building designer in Orinda, California, shop through our network of over 5,818 local architects and building designers. Read through customer reviews, check out their past projects and then request a quote from the best architects and building designers near you.