--- title: "Noel Cross+Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/noel-cross-architects-pfvwus-pf~1132543914 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1132543914.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Noel Cross+Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/e163a4300e173e20_6600-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "San Jose, California 95112-5881, United States" phone: "(408) 216-0222" website: http://www.nfcarchitect.com rating: 5 review_count: 10 best_of_houzz_awards: 12 followers: 1032 last_updated: 2026-09-20 --- # Noel Cross+Architects Original Houzz profile: [Noel Cross+Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/noel-cross-architects-pfvwus-pf~1132543914) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** San Jose, CA - **Serves:** San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Saratoga, East Foothills, Monte Sereno - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (10 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 12 awards (2014–2025), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Eco-friendly - 30 years in business Noel Cross Architect has been creating homes in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area that their clients love for over two decades. "Shelter for Your Soul" is our mission. We listen carefully to our clients' dreams and desires and provide inventive and practical solutions that are in tune with the site and environment, not to mention having lots of fun in the process! Typical Job Costs: $750,000 - 18 million We are currently accepting residential projects from $750k (minimum) construction cost, and up. Services Provided Architectural Design, Building Design, Sustainable Design, Universal Design, Innovative Design Areas Served Campbell, Cupertino, East Foothills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, San Jose, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Los Altos Certifications and Awards Member AIA Silicon Valley Chapter Board Member AIA Silicon Valley ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - New Home Construction - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Universal Design - Barn Design & Construction - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - Innovative Design ### Areas Served - San Jose - Sunnyvale - Mountain View - Palo Alto - Cupertino - Campbell - Los Gatos - Los Altos - Saratoga - East Foothills - Monte Sereno ### Typical Job Cost $750,000 - 18 million We are currently accepting residential projects from $750k (minimum) construction cost, and up. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Noel Cross+Architects | | Address | San Jose, California 95112-5881, United States | | Phone | (408) 216-0222 | | Website | http://www.nfcarchitect.com | | License Number | C-018234 | | Followers on Houzz | 1032 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/nfcarchitect/ - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/noel-cross-a7aa1a4?trk=hp-identity-name - Blog — http://www.nfcarchitect.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Noel Cross+Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/noel-cross-architects-pfvwus-pf~1132543914) - **Website:** http://www.nfcarchitect.com - **Phone:** (408) 216-0222 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Member AIA Silicon Valley Chapter - Board Member AIA Silicon Valley 2017 through 2020 - **Best of Houzz:** 12 awards (2014–2025), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [AIA Custom Residential Architects Network](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-custom-residential-architects-network-pfvwus-pf~629398549) - [AIA Santa Clara](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-santa-clara-pfvwus-pf~378840116) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 10 reviews** ### All 10 reviews **★★★★★ — Kenneth Moore, Dec. 2018** > Noel Cross is the finest architect my wife and I could ever have hoped for to work with us on our whole house remodel project. From my experience with Noel I can say with great confidence that whatever a client may envision for their project, such as a new or a remodeled house, Noel will exceed his client's expectations for it. He is intelligent, creative and a fantastic problem solver. He knows everything there is to know about architectural design and the codes which apply to residential construction. I learned in many different ways that Noel exercises excellent judgement, is highly detailed in his design work and has a great sense about what works and doesn't work when it comes to design issues. Just as important, Noel is a really nice person who we enjoyed working with immensely on our project. What we also learned is that when we hired Noel, we didn't just hire him, we hired his support team who are excellent professionals in their own right. And lastly, Noel works well with others such as construction professionals and designers we used on our project. My wife and I always felt lucky to have an architect of Noel's caliber to do the architectural design work on our project and to help us monitor the work to implement the design he and we agreed on for our project. Noel is amazing in so many ways. When you work with him, you come to know you are in good hands and are working with a first rate architectural professional. One of the nicest compliments made about Noel to me was by a construction professional who said to me that Noel's architectural drawings for our project were "like a work of art". I can't say it any better than that... to explain how my wife and I feel about Noel. **★★★★★ — Whitney Design Studios, July 2016** > We worked with Noel Cross and his office on a residential remodel a few years back while at Interior Lighting & Design. I found Noel and his staff to be extremely knowledgeable, friendly and most importantly accessible. As a professional in the design field, it was very helpful to have such open and easy communication with not only Noel but his entire staff. I would be happy to work with him again and highly recommend his firm. **★★★★★ — Sudha Neelakantan, Feb. 2016** > Noel designed our home for us back in 2005-2006, and we completed the build in 2008. Love all of the eco-friendly green design touches built into our home with every specification -- And love the look and feel of the outcome and interior spaces. Have to give a nod to Viscusi-Elson Interior design who pulled everything together. Would highly recommend that you use their firm with a good lighting design firm and interior design firm as I am sure they would recommend. **★★★★★ — reginawork, Oct. 2014** > Provided the highest quality design and construction management services for our residential remodel. They conducted meetings with us, and submitted to us sketches and ideas. They ultimately created detailed plans and drawings used throughout the permit and construction process. They worked with the contractors, subcontractors and designers to create an outstanding customized home. > > Noel Cross + Architects advocated for us with engineering and design issues and in creating solutions to construction dilemmas and details. Many facets of our project required their expertise to craft solutions to specific requirements. > > They did not hesitate to foster creativity when it was need most on the project. > > This is a team of highly skilled professionals led by Noel Cross. We found it very easy to work with Noel and his associates particularly when there was pressure to come up with creative solutions. We highly recommend this firm. **★★★★★ — Murray Window & Door, Inc., April 2014** > Noel Cross+ Architects and Murray Window & Door, Inc have worked together on many custom homes for a decade or so. Noel has a great team and with his vision and their support; amazing projects have been created and built. > Noel completely understands and embraces the need for the windows and doors to be perfect. In fact, one of Noel's "habits" is the complete review of the window and door order with his legendary red pen! I always feel like I'm turning a paper in to be graded! Fortunately through years we have learned Noel's requirements and understand the attention to detail that his projects demand. > In recent years Noel's projects have become even more intense and have incorporated massive door systems to maximize the amazing views and create perfect indoor/outdoor living spaces. One such home pushed the envelope with a 40' x 13.5' pocketing system that has perfect symmetry with the steel columns. It was a endeavor but with Noel's design, a great builder; Eric Evans, and our sales/installation teams; the system is perfect and the house is spectacular. > Our sales group is always excited to see a NFC Architects plan come across because we know another very exciting project is about to come to life. **★★★★★ — hidetoshi, Jan. 2014** > Noel designed our contemporary house almost 20 years ago and he really understood about our desire to build an ecologically sound home way back then. The term "green " did not exist but he designed a home that even today does not waste energy. High recommendations for someone who sincerely understands and cares about what the "Client" wants in a home. **★★★★★ — geek\_user, June 2013** > Noel was our architect for our house that we built in 2010. > > He was very creative and had great ideas. We loved the design he created for our house. He was very knowledgeable in working with our city's planning department and resolved their many requests. We also went with the contractor he recommended which turned out to be a good experience. > > We definitely had some quirky requests and he translated them very well into his design. He had a eye for quality which we appreciated very much as well. > > We have the highest recommendation for him. **★★★★★ — Irene Au, May 2013** > We were drawn to Noel's aesthetic, as he designed one of the most beautiful houses in our neighborhood. We also hired Noel because he was one of the few architects we found who specialized in green home design in 2004. Designing and building a home is a very intimate, personal experience, and the home is a reflection of the energy of the people who are involved in its creation. For that reason, it was important to us to work with someone with whom we'd want to spend a lot of time and welcome into our home. > > Noel pays incredible attention to detail, which is why the houses he designs are so beautiful. For example, most windows on houses might use two pieces of trim to build the decor around the exterior windows; on our house, Noel used six pieces. Noel helped us understand the cost/benefit tradeoffs so we could make informed decisions about where to invest our money. His detailed drawings also helped facilitate the construction of our house, because there was less room for "interpretation". (Also, we found that our contracter lacked an eye for design detail, so Noel was a nice counterbalance.) > > To this date, we still get a lot of inquiries about our house from people who want to create a similar aesthetic. I highly recommend Noel and would definitely want to work with him again (except that I love my house so much I expect to live here forever!). **★★★★★ — Conrado - Home Builders, Oct. 2012** > Noel Cross is a great architect and an even better person. Our company has done nine homebuilding projects with Noel, and his designs have been spot on. He is also fun to be around, which makes the homebuilding process much easier. We have happy clients because the process was fun. **★★★★★ — Craig L Bauman Construction, Oct. 2012** > Noel Cross+Architects, on many occasions, has provided me and my clients top notch design and construction document services, with that little bit extra, that sets them apart from other Architectural firms. If you are looking for someone to design your home, you can't do better than Noel and his team. > > Craig L Bauman Construction since 1976 ## Selected projects - [Los Gatos Northwestern Contemporary Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-gatos-northwestern-contemporary-custom-home-pj-vj~33654) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 13 - [Contemporary Masterpiece](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-masterpiece-pj-vj~1561752) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 51 - Description: Recently the Super Bowl 50 hangout of Beyonce and Jay-Z, this “uber-green” net zero energy residence incorporates too many elements of sustainability and green building to count, yet it’s the modern architectural style and design sensitivity to the site that really take center stage. Durable, low maintenance, and handsome materials such as rusted cor-ten steel, natural stone veneer, and integral color plaster are deftly combined with strong linear roof lines that emphasize the horizontal nature… - [Palo Alto California Mediterranean](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-california-mediterranean-pj-vj~1102138) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: The goal from the start was a "Net Zero" energy home that draws its inspiration from the residential architecture of Bernard Maybeck, Henry Minton, and Julia Morgan - an early California Colonial/Craftsmen Style. Photo Voltaic Solar panels, a highly insulated building envelope, radiant floor heating, and a passive solar design helped create a truly sustainable home nestled under three fabulous oak trees in the Palo Alto hills. A beautiful and drought tolerant, all California Native landscape, an… - [Portola Valley Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/portola-valley-modern-pj-vj~2834703) - Location: Portola Valley, CA - Photos: 33 - Description: Stunning valley views from this heavily wooded site, this earthy modern home was deftly woven in between dozens of blue oaks. A very open modern home, but with earthy touches of stone, carefully stained wood siding to match the blue oak tree bark, and lots of glass to take advantage of views all around, but still maintains plenty of privacy. Careful modulation of windows, glass doors overhangs, and trees to create a truly net zero energy home. - [Los Gatos Modern Estate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-gatos-modern-estate-pj-vj~21061) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: Los Gatos - Earthy Modern- Who says green and sustainable design has to look like it? Designed to emulate the owner’s favorite country club, this fine estate home blends in with the natural surroundings of it’s hillside perch, and is so intoxicatingly beautiful, one hardly notices its numerous energy saving and green features. Durable, natural and handsome materials such as stained cedar trim, natural stone veneer, and integral color plaster are combined with strong horizontal roof lines that em… - [Los Altos Hills Winery](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-altos-hills-winery-pj-vj~737324) - Location: Los Altos Hills, CA - Photos: 17 - [Monte Sereno Historical Mediterranean](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/monte-sereno-historical-mediterranean-pj-vj~155992) - Location: Monte Sereno, CA - Photos: 35 - Description: This classic example of Mediterranean Eclectic/Renaissance Revival style was quite popular in the 1920's, and was originally designed in 1924 by famed architect Henry A. Minton for Armando Pedrini (one of the founders of Bank of Italy/Bank of America). http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ca/sf/pedrini-a.htm H.A. Minton also designed the Bank of Italy Tower in downtown San Jose http://www.emporis.com/building/bankofitalybuilding-sanjose-ca-usa and the BofA Annex on The Alameda at around the same ti… - [Breakers Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/breakers-beach-house-pj-vj~21066) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 22 - Description: Firmness . . . Santa Cruz’s historically eclectic Pleasure Point neighborhood has been evolving in its own quirky way for almost a century, and many of its inhabitants seem to have been around just as long. They cling to the relaxed and funky seaside character of their beach community with an almost indignant provinciality. For both client and architect, neighborhood context became the singular focus of the design; to become the “poster child” for compatibility and sustainability. Dozens of phot… - [Palo Alto Eichler](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-eichler-pj-vj~15875) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 16 - Description: Affordable Green Eichler Remodel. - [Menlo Park 2 story with basement](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/menlo-park-2-story-with-basement-pj-vj~126440) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 12 - Description: New home with full basement. - [Menlo Park Tuscan](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/menlo-park-tuscan-pj-vj~737320) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 5 - [Craftsman in Palo Alto](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-in-palo-alto-pj-vj~21062) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 15 - [Los Gatos Tuscan Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-gatos-tuscan-contemporary-pj-vj~21063) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 15 - Description: Los Gatos – Contemporary Tuscan - This two story home captures the essence of a Tuscan Villa, yet is clearly of our time and without all the crumbling stone and sentimental goo gah. Exterior and interior design details have been stripped down to their elemental forms for a clean and crisp, yet comfortable atmosphere that still evokes a feeling of old world sensibility. This outdoor loggia frames the views of the Silicon Valley. Equally comfortable housing pool parties for the neighborhood kids,… - [Villa Terra](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/villa-terra-pj-vj~21065) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 35 - [Menlo Park French Normandy](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/menlo-park-french-normandy-pj-vj~22624) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 15 - [San Carlos Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-carlos-modern-pj-vj~22626) - Location: San Carlos, CA - Photos: 15 - Description: Clean and unabashedly modern lines define this hilltop home with a spectacular view. A subtle color scheme and simple geometric forms build to a crescendo. Simple and clean, interesting and serene. - [Mountain View Craftsman](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-view-craftsman-pj-vj~737336) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 9 - [Los Gatos Cape Cod Shingle Style](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-gatos-cape-cod-shingle-style-pj-vj~2834831) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 25 - [Los Gatos Cape Cod](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-gatos-cape-cod-pj-vj~2834828) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 8 - [Willow Glen Contemporary Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/willow-glen-contemporary-home-pj-vj~7501190) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: Photographer: Frank Paul Perez https://www.frankpaulperez.com/ frank@frankpaulperez.com [See all 25 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/noel-cross-architects-pfvwus-pf~1132543914) ## Ideabooks - [noelcross's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/969175/list/noelcross-s-ideas) — 38 ideas - [Contemporary Mediterranean](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/101109108/list/contemporary-mediterranean) — 39 ideas - [Lin Residence](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/48204051/list/lin-residence) — 32 ideas - [Vermont](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/49971727/list/vermont) — 2 ideas [See all 4 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/noelcross) ## Community Q&A **Q: Is this an indoor/outdoor shower?** *(in Photo Questions)* How did you wall it off? Corner glass doors? A: best of luck! **Q: Is there a garage? if there was what color would you paint that?** *(in Photo Questions)* Is there a garage? if there was what color would you paint that? Same as the house color? or same as the trim color? A: yes there is a garage but it's not the best part of the house, so no photos. Painted to match. **Q: What manufacturer and stain is used on the front door?** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi there, Can you share the manufacturer and stain color used for the front door? Thank you! A: Sorry to say that I don't recall. The house was built over 15 years ago. **Q: please share the stone cut and color** *(in Photo Questions)* I am building a home and have a front fireplace and stone wall in the entry. I love this look. Please share. A: Hard to remmeber it was over 10 years ago **Q: What is the wall cap and the fireplace cap and where did you purc** *(in Photo Questions)* where can I purchase the stone wall and fireplace caps A: all the stone was purchased from GraniteRock **Q: Manufacturer of french doors with transoms, please?** *(in Photo Questions)* Who is manufacturer of the pairs of 30" wide by 80" tall doors with a transom window above? Thanks. A: They were a small company out of Washington State, no longer in business. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-20.*