--- title: "Parco Studio — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/parco-studio-pfvwus-pf~1102550199 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1102550199.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Parco Studio" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/ebf3b9390d5dde26_1370-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "San Francisco, California 94117, United States" phone: "(415) 819-6476" website: http://www.parcostudio.com rating: 5 review_count: 5 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 7 last_updated: 2026-09-06 --- # Parco Studio Original Houzz profile: [Parco Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/parco-studio-pfvwus-pf~1102550199) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Serves:** San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Saratoga, Mill Valley, Piedmont, Tiburon, Sausalito, Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, Belvedere, Belvedere Tiburon, Lake Tahoe, Marin County, Napa County, Sonoma County, Wine Country - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2022), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves - Eco-friendly - Award winning - Published nationally Parco Studio is a specialty architectural design practice located in Northern California. Inspired by the natural beauty of the West, we strive to connect our clients to the great outdoors, through their homes. In my 30-plus years as an architect, I have found no more uplifting nor impactful approach than the seamless cultivation of Indoor/Outdoor living through architecture. By thoughtfully curating an uncommon harmony between building and nature, we am to uplift families and enhance the experience of everyday life through a deep appreciation of home. Our goal here is nothing less than to support and engender greater degrees of peace, joy, and delight in peoples’ lives, through eye-opening design. Delivering custom homes of this sort requires careful attention, keen focus on a multitude of technical considerations, and a rigorous approach towards budget and schedule. Our decades of experience managing the complexities of design and construction on some of the most sophisticated, well-built projects around, enables us to simultaneously hold your highest vision and shepherd it into reality. We are committed to doing all of what we do with the utmost creativity, integrity, and intelligence. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Pool House Design & Construction - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Handicap-Accessible Design - Barn Design & Construction - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - Prefab Houses ### Areas Served - San Francisco - Oakland - Berkeley - Saratoga - Mill Valley - Piedmont - Tiburon - Sausalito - Atherton - Woodside - Portola Valley - Belvedere - Belvedere Tiburon - Lake Tahoe - Marin County - Napa County - Sonoma County - Wine Country ### Typical Job Cost $2.5 million - 25 million New construction costs on the West Coast can vary widely depending on project size and client expectations. The cost of quality construction starts at roughly $400/sq. ft. and can run to up $2000/sq. ft. depending on materials, detailing, fit, and finish. Our services typically run between 10% and 20% of construction cost, depending on project complexity and scale. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Parco Studio | | Address | San Francisco, California 94117, United States | | Phone | (415) 819-6476 | | Website | http://www.parcostudio.com | | License Number | C28396 | | Followers on Houzz | 7 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ParcoStudio/ - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminparco/ - Blog — www.parcostudio.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Parco Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/parco-studio-pfvwus-pf~1102550199) - **Website:** http://www.parcostudio.com - **Phone:** (415) 819-6476 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - AIA - LEED AP - Dwell Magazine - AIA Honor Awards - Al Gore Climate Solutions Summit - "Our Choice" by Al Gore - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2022), for Service. **Affiliations** - [American Institute of Architects, San Francisco](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-institute-of-architects-san-francisco-pfvwus-pf~788533068) - [U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/u-s-green-building-council-usgbc-pfvwus-pf~1797160658) - [LEED AP](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/leed-ap-pfvwus-pf~1386238498) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 5 reviews **★★★★★ — Heide Cannon, Oct. 2021** > Working with Ben has been life changing. As the real estate and construction liaison to a high-net-worth family, it’s my job to vet and hire the best contractors, consultants, and professionals that I can find. My team and I have a very high bar, priding ourselves on securing master-level domain experts for all of our projects. As it is in any field, the difference between “very good” and “master-level” can be vast. Ben sits squarely in this second category and manages to exceed our expectations on a regular basis. In our first meeting, Ben pointed out things that the other architects we interviewed never even mentioned. He has a gift for creating designs that are simultaneously exactly right, while inviting us into territory we had never imagined possible. Ben is also a great communicator, fun to work with, and helps everyone on the team to understand where we're going and how we will get there. He has worked with us on multiple design projects and now serves as our trusted advisor when it comes to all new real estate purchases. With Parco Studio you don’t have to choose between creativity and practicality. Whether it’s coming up with beautiful, eye-opening solutions, digging deep into the technical complexities of a problem, holding the project with the utmost fiduciary care, or communicating with everyone involved with patience and grace, Ben delivers. Parco Studio is my number one recommendation for any project you might have where beauty, excellence, and professionalism are desired. **★★★★★ — Business\_Name\_Placeholder, Feb. 2021** > Collaborating with Ben on several projects has been hugely satisfying and enjoyable. He is a consummate professional and a talented architect. Our projects have resulted in beautiful outcomes and delighted clients, and I would happily recommend him to anyone looking for a creative, and knowledgeable architect. **★★★★★ — Emma Gimon, Jan. 2021** > Ben and his team were the architects on the expansion of our home in the Berkeley Hills almost ten years ago. He did a fabulous job. We have been extremely happy with the outcome - the expansion is beautiful, perfectly in tune with the original Esherick house, yet with its own character and subtlety. It also harmoniously integrates with the landscape and the surrounds, and just as importantly delivers on its ambitious sustainable design goals. > > Ben is very professional - his years of experience in a large architecture firm have paid off to provide a very thorough and thoughtful service and a deep knowledge of the field. The whole design process was very enjoyable - we really enjoyed the collaboration and the many innovative ideas presented, plus our creative and budget wishes were well understood. > > We are very proud of our beautiful home, and we are grateful for Ben and the team for their creativity and hard work in pulling it together. I strongly recommend Ben for any architectural project you may have! **★★★★★ — 3 Lights Design, July 2020** > When it comes to working with Ben Parco, you'd be hard pressed to find a better architect out there, or for that matter, a better human. > > As a fellow building professional, Ben is my go-to architect for any and all advice related to architecture and design. From his uncanny ability to track and organize the myriad of interconnected details necessary to realize a skyscraper to the authenticity and sensitivity required for the successful realization of a truly unique, truly personal, single-family home, Ben has mad skills and has delivered on projects of all shapes and sizes. > > And though he is an expert in the field with a world-class portfolio, his humility and dedication to the craft of architecture keep him firmly rooted to the earth, allowing him to approach each project he takes on with curiosity, a deep sense of service, and larger devotion to truly making the world a better place. > > Thank you, Ben! **★★★★★ — Julian H, July 2020** > I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ben on several projects. He is a very astute architect with a deep understanding of not only design but also how all components of a project come together. He is great at leaning in and understanding budget constraints and when necessary, adapting the overall design, detailing, and appropriate material selections in order to make thoughtful architecture. Ben loves to work collaboratively with contractors and subcontractors to deliver carefully thought out arhitecture and exceptional experiences for clients and contractors alike. I really look forward to my next project with Benjamin. Cheers! ## Selected projects - [Parco Studio Process](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/parco-studio-process-pj-vj~7041644) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Zero Energy Berkeley Hills Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/zero-energy-berkeley-hills-home-pj-vj~5842191) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Here our client came to us with an unusual and inspiring challenge. They lived in an historic, mid-century modern home designed by the renowned Bay Area team of Joseph Esherick (architect) and Lawrence Halprin (landscape architect). With little ones on the way, our client was about to outgrow their beautiful one-bedroom home. Collectively, we had a desire to simultaneously honor the existing historic house and to take greater advantage of some key landscape opportunities and stunning westward vi… - [Oakland Hills Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oakland-hills-home-pj-vj~5842221) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: I have been involved with this particular site since I first arrived in California back in 1992. Upon it once sat the home of my first employer’s parents. That home burned along with so many others in the tragic Oakland Hills Fire of 1991. In 1992 I designed a home for the site, which was never built. The parcel changed hands several times over the decades until it arrived back in my sphere in 2012 when a friend of my then COO had purchased the lot. He asked us to tackle the challenge of fitting… - [Southern California Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/southern-california-ranch-pj-vj~6980356) - Location: Pauma Valley, CA - Photos: 8 - [West Marin Italic-A](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/west-marin-italic-a-pj-vj~7344973) - Location: Woodacre, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Currently in design, this project is located on a challenging site in West Marin. The site slopes steeply to the north with phenomenal views to the regionally cherished San Geronimo Valley. The site also has a steep cross-slope with access to sunlight and views to the west but an unattractive home to the east. The biased A-frame shape with pyramidal dormer shields the entire property from the eastern neighbor. The vertical western face captures maximum dappled daylight through the adjacent fores… - [Hawaii Vacation House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hawaii-vacation-house-pj-vj~6197231) - Location: Kailua-Kona, HI - Photos: 2 - [Sonoma Hillside House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sonoma-hillside-house-pj-vj~6197228) - Location: Sonoma, CA - Photos: 2 - [Palo Alto House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-house-pj-vj~6197234) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 2 - [Eco-Resort Cabins](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eco-resort-cabins-pj-vj~6197225) - Location: Kailua-Kona, HI - Photos: 2 - [Dwell Magazine Article](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dwell-magazine-article-pj-vj~6541636) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: In 2013 Dwell Magazine devoted 8 pages of their annual prefab issue to our zero-net energy, prefab home, located in the hills of Berkeley, CA. https://www.dwell.com/article/a-modern-prefab-addition-to-a-mid-century-california-classic-5788309b Years later, this project remains one of Dwell Magazine’s favorites. In 2017 they named it one of the 7 Coolest California Prefabs. https://www.dwell.com/article/7-coolest-california-prefabs-a135df53 - [Hillside Marin Pool](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillside-marin-pool-pj-vj~6563244) - Location: Fairfax, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: This modern pool project set atop a steep hillside above the Marin County town of Fairfax draws its influence from both Mediterranean and Latin/South American examples. The result is a private outdoor space of calming, sun-soaked elegance and simplicity. - [Parco Homes Prefab](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/parco-homes-prefab-pj-vj~5842227) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Marin County Lookout](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/marin-county-lookout-pj-vj~6513253) - Location: Fairfax, CA - Photos: 4 [See all 13 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/parco-studio-pfvwus-pf~1102550199) ## Ideabooks - [Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146029038/list/kitchen) — 17 ideas - [Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146028009/list/stairs) — 10 ideas - [Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146028466/list/bathroom) — 15 ideas - [Indoor/Outdoor](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146006706/list/indoor-outdoor) — 31 ideas - [Resources](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146187495/list/resources) — 2 ideas [See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/webuser-835357222) ## Community Q&A **Q: IKEA cabinets quality & longevity** *(in Design Dilemma)* I am looking at putting a few IKEA kitchen cabinets in our guest bath/mudroom to serve as a pantry and seasonal storage, but my husband is concerned about their overall quality and how long they will last. The room’s dimensions are a bit awkward which makes using standard cabinets impossible. The max depth for the cabinets is 18” (so IKEA’s 15” would work well), the ceiling height is 83”, and the ideal width is about 50”. My plan with the IKEA cabinets is to stack 2 sets next to each other with the following in each stack: drawers (24x15x20”), cabinet (24x15x40”) and horizontal cabinet (24x15x15”). I need them to be sturdy. We have a small kitchen, and while we will remodel it some day, it will be challenging to add a lot more storage. I’m looking for a place for my stand mixer, formal china, etc. Should I pull the trigger? Save up the $$$ to go custom (who knows how long that will take)? Thanks for sharing your thoughts! A: IKEA cabinets are quite decent, espeically for the price. They also come with some nice hardware and features that are hard to find elsewhere, such as their rotate/slide/pull lower corner cabinet device. When a client wants to go with IKEA, I typically steer them towards a custom drawer and door face fabricator such as Modern Twigg, who makes the "pretty parts" for IKEA cabinets, which fit perfectly. It's a nice, cost effective way to upgrade at very little cost. **Q: Will 9" wide metal roof with board and batten look too busy?** *(in Building a Home)* Our new house has been priced out with a metal roof and board and batten siding. Today I spoke to the roofing company and found out they only have roof panels with 9" between the ribs. After pressing, they told me they can source other panels from their parent company with 12" between ribbing for $1.05/sqft more. I feel like 9" spacing will look extremely busy won't match the board and batten siding. Any thoughts? Will it look wrong? Would 12" look ok? I think most modern farmhouses actually have 16" roof panels. I'm scraping the web for photos but not having any luck. Thanks! A: Not sure why you guys aren't able to see this but I'm reposting here... I'd say it depends somewhat on the color of the roof and the color of the board and batten cladding. Lighter colors on either will cast a more visible shadow and accentuate the ribbing. Darker colors will have the entire roof or wall look more monolithic. I'd suggest a light colored board and batten wall and a darker colored metal roof. This way you'll have a more articulated (lines) look on the walls and a more monolithic (continuous) looking surface on the roof, thus lessening the competing busyness between the two. I'd also suggest that you have your architect try and get the roof ribs and the board and batten adhering to some kind of dimensional "module." The house will seem much "cleaner," more purposeful, and less busy if they can get the spacing of the ribs for each working together nicely. Because the roof rib spacing is fixed, the only way to achieve this will be to play with the board and batten spacing. If we think of this ratio as roof rib spacing : wall batten spacing, I'd suggest trying a 1 : 1 spacing, 1 : 1 .5 spacing, and 1 : 2 spacing to start. Of course the will be dictated by how wide a wall board you can get, as the battens will be covering the joints. Make sense? **Q: GE CAFE 36" Induction cooktop-What kind of hood vent?** *(in Building a Home)* Does anyone have this model CHP95362MSS GE CAFE 36" Induction Cooktop? What type of hood vent is recommended? Any reviews? A: I've never specified a Faber hood but they look pretty nice. Having owned a few Italian sports cars in my life, I'm often dubious of Italian made machines but hoods are way less complex than cars so I'd guess you're safe. I would look for reviews online. And... I'll be adding these to my list of equipment to investigate more closely. Thanks! **Q: House design: has anyone incorporated a courtyard/walled garden?** *(in Landscape Design)* Hi, we are at the design stages for a new houde; at this point all options are on the table! The new house will be on some land we already own, not close to where we live now. It is often wet, windy and certainly cooler than where we are now, and I am cold blooded! I have loads of house ideas, but given where it is I really want to think about how I can make somewhere to sit outside with a bit of a microclimate! It would need shelter from the wind and wouldn't need to be huge, but we have lots of space to play with as this will be a farm house. I'm not sure how to tackle it at all. Would love to hear from anyone who has thought about similar when building their house, what they did, and how it worked out! A: Depends a lot on the climate you're in, the solar orientation of both the adjacent indoor rooms and outdoor courtyard space, and the predominant wind direction. These should all be factored in when planning this kind of space. I'm a big fan of these kinds of spaces, what I call "outdoor rooms." When done right they can really help a house to sit in the landscape beautifully. Have a look at these shots, a small house where we employed just this kind of strategy. Good luck with it! - Ben Parco **Q: Where should the seam be in a tile shower?** *(in Building a Home)* Hello all, We are in the final stages of building a new house and our shower tile was just completed. Unfortunately, I'm not overly happy with how it turned out. However, if someone tells me that there is no other place for this seam, then I will just deal with it. It's the first thing my eye went to and I know it's just going to bother me eternally. Any insight would be helpful! A: What you're wanting is what's called a "no-cut" tile layout. It can be done but it's also a little tricky to get right, somewhat akin to "frosting the cake before baking it." In order to get the look you're wanting, you would need to ask the contractor to lay out the shower framing for the recess based upon the tile layout, the thin-set thickness, and tile thickness. Sadly, it's a big job to fix this after the fact, now that all of the waterproofing has been done. Still, they could tear out a section, re-frame it, re-waterproof it, and get things "on module." If it's going to drive you nuts (as it would me) that may be your best bet. Oh wait, maybe you're not even talking about the recessed shelf. I see, the sliver cut. Same issue here really. The only fix I can think of is to find some way to create an accent stripe with the sliver cuts, perhaps using another color of tile all together. Of course you'd have to find a way to make that look purposeful by incorporating it throughout the design in some legible/understandable way. Possible. So sorry about this. I hope you can find a fix that you can live with. -Ben Parco **Q: Tile mistake or structure?** *(in Building a Home)* Our tile guys said the new ceiling is not level and has settled. At the top of shower they put a wood trim piece. I have never seen this before? A: I would probably have them take out the top 1 - 2 courses of tile and simply paint the wall above that "datum" line. This way you'll have a decent gap so the non-level ceiling won't be so noticeable and no strange wood molding where it doesn't belong. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-06.*