---
title: "Butler Armsden Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/butler-armsden-architects-pfvwus-pf~1291940277
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1291940277.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Butler Armsden Architects"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/78e3ec4a08d328b5_3653-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "1420 Sutter Street, First Floor, San Francisco, California 94109, United States"
latitude: 37.7917
longitude: -122.4186
phone: "(415) 674-5554"
website: http://www.butlerarmsden.com
rating: 5
review_count: 4
best_of_houzz_awards: 5
followers: 742
last_updated: 2026-09-02
---

# Butler Armsden Architects

Original Houzz profile: [Butler Armsden Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/butler-armsden-architects-pfvwus-pf~1291940277)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Serves:** San Francisco, Mill Valley, Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Tiburon, Sausalito, Belvedere, Belvedere Tiburon
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (4 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2013–2017), for Design.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- Houzz Influencer
- 100,000 Ideabook Saves

Butler Armsden Architects is an award-winning, high-end residential architecture firm in San Francisco.  For nearly 40 years the firm has specialized in new and remodeled homes in San Francisco, Marin, Stinson Beach, Wine Country, the Peninsula and beyond.

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Building Design
- Home Remodeling
- Custom Homes
- New Home Construction
- Home Additions
- Sustainable Design
- Green Building
- Space Planning
- Earthquake Retrofitting

### Areas Served

- San Francisco
- Mill Valley
- Tamalpais-Homestead Valley
- Tiburon
- Sausalito
- Belvedere
- Belvedere Tiburon

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Butler Armsden Architects |
| Address | 1420 Sutter Street, First Floor, San Francisco, California 94109, United States |
| Phone | (415) 674-5554 |
| Website | http://www.butlerarmsden.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 742 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ButlerArmsdenArchitects
- Blog — http://www.butlerarmsden.com/

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Butler Armsden Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/butler-armsden-architects-pfvwus-pf~1291940277)
- **Website:** http://www.butlerarmsden.com
- **Phone:** (415) 674-5554

## Credentials

- **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2013–2017), for Design.

**Affiliations**
- [American Institute of Architects, San Francisco](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-institute-of-architects-san-francisco-pfvwus-pf~788533068)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 4 reviews**

### All 4 reviews

**★★★★★ — strandbergeng, Dec. 2014**

> Butler Armsden is one of the top residential design firms in the Bay Area.  They are experienced in a broad range of architectural styles and consistently produce work that is appropriate for each client and site, and not limited to a narrow design aesthetic.  The office is also incredibly well versed in dealing with major planning department issues as well as navigating through the building department with complex projects. Lewis and the entire crew are charming, talented, and hard-working.  They are an absolute pleasure to work with.

**★★★★★ — Peninsula Custom Homes, Oct. 2014**

> “We have found Butler Armsden Architects to be one of the premier residential design firms in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is rare indeed to find excellent and creative design skills combined with an astute ability to manage projects. Lewis Butler and his team combine both of these talents very successfully.”

**★★★★★ — ThompsonBrooks,Inc., May 2014**

> I have worked with Butler Armsden on two projects.  Both were beautiful and well managed.  They work well as a team working with the contractor in the client's best interests.
>
> Judith Thompson, Thompson Brooks, Inc., General Contractors.

**★★★★★ — yuya666, Sept. 2013**

> Simply, chic and completely. Modern but it's  very nice to mix and match back to nature. Calm and sometimes colorful.  They know how to making special decoration to classic.

## Selected projects

- [Stinson Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stinson-beach-house-pj-vj~79856)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [Yolo County Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/yolo-county-cabin-pj-vj~114506)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
- [Valley of the Moon Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/valley-of-the-moon-retreat-pj-vj~2440038)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 15
  - Description: This AIA award-winning Sonoma residence reinterprets the wonderful spaces of the original Spanish haciendas of Mission-Era California using a truly modern vocabulary. Situated in the Valley of the Moon between the historic Sonoma Plaza to the southeast and Jack London's former estate to the west, this house adopts the courtyard model popularized in the early architecture of the area. Earning a LEED Silver designation, the house uses the oldest of methods to conserve energy through overhangs and…
- [An Updated Classic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/an-updated-classic-pj-vj~301172)
  - Location: San Francisco, CA
  - Photos: 10
- [Portola Valley Courtyard House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/portola-valley-courtyard-house-pj-vj~2466435)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 23
  - Description: A rolling two acre lot in Portola Valley provides an ideal site for this informal residence that was designed to reference early California architecture as well as the clean lines and modern amenities of 21st century design. Collaborating closely with the owners, Butler Armsden settled on a courtyard scheme that embraces the site, maximizing wonderful views and enhancing the natural indoor/outdoor living environment. Materials were chosen for their elegant and timelessness. The exterior showcase…
- [Platinum on the Peninsula](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/platinum-on-the-peninsula-pj-vj~2439863)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 17
- [Tiburon Bay House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tiburon-bay-house-pj-vj~114512)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
- [Atherton Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/atherton-modern-pj-vj~2443401)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 20
  - Description: This gently sloped 1.75 acre lot in Atherton provided a rare opportunity to create a contemporary courtyard house that also has commanding views of the surrounding hills. Care was taken to preserve the numerous oak trees on the property. Upon entering the house, a gallery runs east to west, linking a living and dining area with a large family room and kitchen that has collapsing 40 foot wide collapsing doors on both sides. From the family room one can take in both the view and the courtyard. A g…
- [Atherton Abode](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/atherton-abode-pj-vj~79872)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
- [A Wurster Revival](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-wurster-revival-pj-vj~301195)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 16
- [Woodside Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woodside-residence-pj-vj~2443365)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
- [Carriage House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carriage-house-pj-vj~79868)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
- [Home in the Avenues](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-in-the-avenues-pj-vj~79869)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
- [Orinda Hills Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/orinda-hills-home-pj-vj~1416156)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: This one-acre flag-shaped lot in the hills of Orinda combines the best of both a flat building area and spectacular view of the surrounding hills and landscape. Ten years after purchasing it, the clients decided to build their dream home. By this time, three of their four children had grown and left home: one was in college, one was starting her professional career in San Francisco, and the other was playing major league baseball for the Chicago Cubs. Now down to a household of just three, the c…
- [Family Home in Sea Cliff](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/family-home-in-sea-cliff-pj-vj~80256)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
- [St Helena Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/st-helena-retreat-pj-vj~79860)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
- [Nob Hill Condo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nob-hill-condo-pj-vj~812632)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
- [Sanchez Street Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sanchez-street-residence-pj-vj~79863)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
- [Sonoma Valley Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sonoma-valley-residence-pj-vj~80282)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 14
- [Pacific Heights Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pacific-heights-kitchen-pj-vj~802613)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 3

[See all 26 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/butler-armsden-architects-pfvwus-pf~1291940277)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Wall stripes** *(in Photo Questions)*

How tall are they?

A: Hi Marilyn,
The stripes are the height of the tile, 12 inches. Tile size is 12x 18" Porcelanosa tiles.

**Q: Mi piace moltissimo il tavolino scimmia, di che brand si tratta?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Ciao Giulia! "Baboon Bench" by Judy Kensley Mckie

**Q: where are the occasional chairs from?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Interior Designer, Angela Free, reupholstered the client's existing
chairs in a cream colored boiled wool fabric. www.angelafreedesign.com.

**Q: in the carriage house photo with the pool table and couch** *(in Photo Questions)*

Could you provide details on the reading lamp?

A: Thanks for asking! These reading lamps are from Ethan Allen.

**Q: Lovely kitchen, What color light did you choose?** *(in Photo Questions)*

I wondered what color spot lights did you choose as I am doing a similar kitchen. Is 4000K to cold or is it just right? any advice about the light color (Kelvins) and strength (Lumens) would be highly appreciated!

A: Hi, thanks for asking. We used Halo recessed lights with MR16 bulbs.  The color temperature of the MR16s is quite warm at approximately 3000K and they warm even more as they dim.

We do think that 4000k is a little too cold for a kitchen, especially if the lamp is an LED that does not warm when dimmed.
Best of luck in choosing bulbs!

**Q: can you tell me who makes these mirrors or were they custom?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Hi thanks for asking. We custom designed them and then a
local metalworker fabricated them for out of blackened steel. His name
is Dan Ramos, and here is his website: http://www.studioromo.com.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-02.*