---
title: "SDG Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sdg-architects-pfvwus-pf~1326868304
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1326868304.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "SDG Architects"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/13f3ae11053e8098_0460-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "3361 Walnut Blvd. Suite 120, Brentwood, California 94513, United States"
latitude: 37.9324
longitude: -121.6894
phone: "(925) 234-9408"
website: http://
rating: 4.9
review_count: 10
years_in_business: 30
best_of_houzz_awards: 7
followers: 112
last_updated: 2026-09-02
---

# SDG Architects

> East Bay Expert Architecture Firm for High End Custom Homes

Original Houzz profile: [SDG Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sdg-architects-pfvwus-pf~1326868304)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** Brentwood, CA
- **Serves:** San Francisco, Antioch, Walnut Creek, Palo Alto, Brentwood, Oakley, Los Altos, Orinda, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen, Bay Area, East Bay, Napa County, North Bay, Peninsula, Sonoma County, South Bay
- **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (10 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2016–2025), for Design, Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Pro Software User
- Star Houzzer
- Houzz Influencer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 25,000 Ideabook Saves
- Award winning
- Published nationally
- 30 years in business

### Business highlights

- 30 years in business
- Award winning
- Published nationally

Founded in 1993 by Ralph Strauss, SDG Architects is a full service architecture and planning firm dedicated to providing creative solutions to our Clients throughout California and the Western United States. At SDG, our mission remains the same on every project we undertake: we strive to meet the architectural needs of our Clients through creative, technology-based design practices, time-sensitive and cost-effective execution, and unparalleled quality and service. 

High End Custom Homes from 5 to 10 Million. 
Residential / Custom Homes from $500,000 to 5 Million. 
Additions from $250,000 to $500,000. 
Estimates based on experience. Your actual cost may vary depending on the scope of your project. Contact us for a consultation about your project.

With a wide-ranging portfolio and a staff of highly qualified architects and CADD technicians, SDG brings a wealth of experience and practical knowledge to architectural and land planning projects.

Please contact us directly to discuss your upcoming project or to learn more about our work.

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Building Design
- Architectural Drawings
- Custom Homes
- House Plans
- New Home Construction
- Home Additions
- Home Extensions
- Sustainable Design
- Energy-Efficient Homes
- Floor Plans
- 3D Rendering
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Green Building
- Space Planning
- Guesthouse Design & Construction
- Multigenerational Homes
- Pool House Design & Construction
- Drafting
- Historic Building Conservation
- Barn Design & Construction
- Site Preparation
- Custom Home

### Areas Served

- San Francisco
- Antioch
- Walnut Creek
- Palo Alto
- Brentwood
- Oakley
- Los Altos
- Orinda
- Discovery Bay
- Bethel Island
- Byron
- Knightsen
- Bay Area
- East Bay
- Napa County
- North Bay
- Peninsula
- Sonoma County
- South Bay

### Typical Job Cost

$250,000 - 5.5 million

High End Custom Homes from 5 to 10 Million. Residential / Custom Homes from $500,000 to 5 Million. Additions from $250,000 to $500,000. Estimates based on experience. Your actual cost may vary depending on the scope of your project. Contact us for a consultation about your project.

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | SDG Architects |
| Address | 3361 Walnut Blvd. Suite 120, Brentwood, California 94513, United States |
| Phone | (925) 234-9408 |
| Website | http:// |
| Years in business | 30 |
| Followers on Houzz | 112 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/SDG-Architects-Inc/504905862915440?ref=hl
- LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/sdg-architects-inc-?trk=nav\_account\_sub\_nav\_company\_admin
- Blog — http://www.straussdesign.com/

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [SDG Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sdg-architects-pfvwus-pf~1326868304)
- **Website:** http://
- **Phone:** (925) 234-9408

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Best of Houzz Award- Service

- **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2016–2025), for Design, Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 10 reviews**

### Featured Review

**★★★★★ — Angela Giustino Sbragia, Feb. 2018**

> SDG Architects has been wonderful to work with. Great design ideas, professional, and always gets right back to you with any questions I had.  I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an architect.

**Comment from SDG Architects:**

> Thank you for your kind words! It was a pleasure to work on your project!
> Thad Tripplett \| SDG Architects

### All 10 reviews

**★★★★★ — Daniel Fonda, Oct. 2019**

> As an Architectural Sales Representative for a Large, Bay Area Masonry Distributor, I can honestly say that SDG Architects are far and away the best firm I have ever worked with.
> I believe the best way to grow a successful business is to establish true lasting business relationships. SDG Architects continues to foster this quality in every way.
> Just a joy to work with....

**Comment from SDG Architects:**

> Thank you for your kind words. It's a pleasure working with you!

**★★★★★ — gmrafferty68, Oct. 2018**

> We are 90% through our custom build, and we have been 100% happy with Thad and the team at SDG. Thad has the great skill of really listening to and honoring his clients’ wishes (and has the flexibility to incorporate as many as are reasonable), but he also knows when and how forcefully to guide and interject when he has a strong opinion or thinks you could be making a mistake.  Many of the elements that Thad introduced (especially the lines of sight he created throughout the home) are among our favorite features of our dream house.

**Comment from SDG Architects:**

> Thank you for your kind words! It is a pleasure to work on your project!
> Thad Tripplett \| SDG Architects

**★★★★★ — Nina sobiNina Design, Jan. 2018**

> It's a pleasure to work with SDG Architects! I recommended SDG Architects to a few of my clients with larger projects and the collaboration was a success.
> SDG Architects has a great custom home team with innovative ideas and vast knowledge and experience.
> I look forward to work with them again and I highly recommend them.

**Comment from SDG Architects:**

> Thank you for the nice words, Nina! You are a talented designer and we enjoy working with you!

**★★★★★ — Justen Peek Engineering, Jan. 2018**

> DP Advanced Engineering has partnered with SDG Architects on hundreds of projects over the last 7 years and have found them to be very professional. The SDG team is talented, efficient and responsive.  Their designs are beautiful, creative, and sustainable.  They bring valuable experience working on different types of projects and also dealing with different municipal jurisdictions. It’s a pleasure to partner with a team with so much passion for their work.  We would highly recommend them for your next project!

**Comment from SDG Architects:**

> Thank you for the kind words, you guys are a great team to work with! Hope to have many collaborations in the future!

**★★★★★ — User, Oct. 2016**

> As an interior designer, I know that a home is only as good as its architecture. I have worked on a handful of projects with Thad at SDG architects, and his work embodies great design.  He is knowledgable, creative, thoughtful, and a good communicator. His process is collaborative, and I appreciate how he fosters a team approach to elevate the end result of the project. On numerous occasions Thad took a seemingly impossible design idea and was able to come up with creative solutions to make the idea a reality. He and his team are responsive and prompt. I highly recommend Thad and SDG architects!

**Comment from SDG Architects:**

> Thank you for the kind words! We love working with you and we do hope that we get to work with you on many beautiful projects!

**★★★★★ — rrugani, Oct. 2015**

> It is a pleasure to work with SDG Architecture.  Whether it’s dealing with the principals of the firm or any of their talented team members, you are always made to feel that they have your utmost satisfaction in mind.  Their staff has a diversity of experience who can recommend various types of architecture or product type that will be best suited for your project.  They also bring valuable experience to the table from working with a wide variety of municipal jurisdictions.  This experience helps set realistic timelines for your project as well as to help identify the most positive approach for gaining key approvals for your project.
>
> I would not hesitate to recommend SDG Architecture to anyone who wants to bring an innovative approach to their project.

**Comment from SDG Architects:**

> Thank you for you kind words, it is clients like you that make it so much fun for us to work on residential projects!

**★★★★ — Jack Harley, Oct. 2015**

> SDG’s designs are great! We didn’t work directly with them but our custom home was designed by their team and we love it. We entertain a lot and the open floor plan is perfectly designed for that purpose. The house has great flow and beautiful exterior colors and finishes. We love our house and we greatly recommend SDG Architects and their design team.

**★★★★★ — Pacific Crest Builders Inc., Sept. 2015**

> SDG Architects has been a partner and co-collaborator on several successful projects over the past decade.  They are efficient, professional, responsive, and creative.
>
> We have confidently referred several of our Custom home clients and they have all thanked us for the referral.
>
> You would be wise to consider SDG Architects for any of your design and architecture needs.

**★★★★★ — naparealestate, Aug. 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.

**Comment from SDG Architects:**

> Thank you for the kind words! We loved working with you and we do hope that we get the opportunity to work with you in the future!

## Selected projects

- [Wine Country Modern Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wine-country-modern-farmhouse-pj-vj~7058116)
  - Location: Calistoga, CA
  - Photos: 54
  - Description: It's a modern farmhouse grounded in the heart of the wine country, a destination home meant to entertain large groups of people.
- [Atlas Peak Napa Spanish Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/atlas-peak-napa-spanish-residence-pj-vj~7196060)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
- [Modern Spanish Revival](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-spanish-revival-pj-vj~3082545)
  - Location: Orinda, CA
  - Photos: 27
  - Description: Simplistic in nature, this home offers the casual ambiance of a Spanish Revival with a contemporary theme throughout. This Spanish Transitional style is characterized by a warm aesthetic and this vernacular is achieved through simple form and massing, the use of heavy timbers, traditional window elements, arched colonnades, and iron accents. Additionally, clean lines, neutral colors, minimalistic window frames, and large expanses of glass symbolize the contemporary influence.
- [Relevae Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/relevae-farmhouse-pj-vj~6809724)
  - Location: Orinda, CA
  - Photos: 34
- [East Bay Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-bay-cottage-pj-vj~5515725)
  - Location: Orinda, CA
  - Photos: 13
- [French Mediterranean Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/french-mediterranean-custom-home-pj-vj~6600566)
  - Location: Orinda, CA
  - Photos: 11
- [Tuscan Waterfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tuscan-waterfront-pj-vj~6809698)
  - Location: Discovery Bay, CA
  - Photos: 15
- [Danville Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/danville-custom-home-pj-vj~1357777)
  - Location: Danville, CA
  - Photos: 13
  - Description: Designed By SDG Architects Built by Pacific Crest Builders
- [East Bay Cottage Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-bay-cottage-custom-home-pj-vj~1357668)
  - Location: Orinda, CA
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: Designed by SDG Architects Built by Grupe Homes
- [Danville Design Modern Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/danville-design-modern-farmhouse-pj-vj~1191902)
  - Location: Danville, CA
  - Photos: 68
- [Tuscan Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tuscan-custom-home-pj-vj~1783282)
  - Location: Orinda, CA
  - Photos: 11
- [Napa Guest House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/napa-guest-house-pj-vj~1069822)
  - Location: Napa, CA
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: Located in beautiful Napa Valley, the design for this project can be described as an eloquent response to the vernacular of the area and the unique architectural program. The building was designed to house light farming equipment, a personal gym, a vintage Corvette and a guest suite. The building successfully blended these uses into a disciplined essay of form and material. The use of weathered steel roofing is balanced by the silver vertical corrugated siding while the deep umber hue of the sta…
- [Crystal Springs Custom Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/crystal-springs-custom-residence-pj-vj~1235399)
  - Location: Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA
  - Photos: 6
- [Crystal Springs Barn](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/crystal-springs-barn-pj-vj~1069768)
  - Location: Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: This project was the conversion of an existing 100 year old barn into a second dwelling unit. Implementing a modern twist, the thick, stacked stone walls of the old barn were retained as the interior and exterior walls of the lower floor of the residence. Posts were then added on the interior so the second floor floats above the walls. A complete living level was created within the 588 sq. ft. footprint of the stone walls. A large Nanawall with storefront glass allows the inside and outside of t…
- [Danville Custom Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/danville-custom-residence-pj-vj~1069542)
  - Location: Danville, CA
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: Designed by SDG Architects
- [Golden Gate Avenue](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/golden-gate-avenue-pj-vj~2306233)
  - Location: Oakland, CA
  - Photos: 17
- [Point Break Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/point-break-beach-house-pj-vj~1182614)
  - Location: Santa Cruz, CA
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: Located in the Pleasure Point neighborhood of Santa Cruz, California, between the Village of Capitola and the Santa Cruz Harbor, and just a few steps from world class Santa Cruz beaches, this vacation home was designed to capture the essence of the seaside beach cottage. pitched roofs, wood siding with shingle accents, copper gutters and details, and a large number of windows all work to enhance the look and feel of the home. The upside down design of the 2,300 sq. ft. main house incorporates an…
- [Palo Alto Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-custom-home-pj-vj~2496510)
  - Location: Palo Alto, CA
  - Photos: 19
  - Description: A one story Modern Farmhouse in Palo Alto
- [Tinity Oaks Residence (Lot 1)](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tinity-oaks-residence-lot-1-pj-vj~1185249)
  - Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: This Custom design reflects a Santa Barbara style with smooth stucco siding, an s-tile roof, and exposed wood accent bays. To break up the mass of a four car garage the house has been divided into two wings, which come together at an irregular angle, each with its own two car garage. The unique shape of the lot contours a private auto court and cradles the front entry which is enclosed in a patio wall. Rooms are positioned to maximize views of the rear yard and the creek beyond.
- [Spanish Revival Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spanish-revival-custom-home-pj-vj~1808307)
  - Location: Orinda, CA
  - Photos: 30

[See all 39 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sdg-architects-pfvwus-pf~1326868304)

## Video

- [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/840735871.m3u8?s=73a2b9c0e89106861d1b8f80ce25e98f423caee8&oauth2_token_id=1384357804)

## Ideabooks

- [Napa Valley Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57935694/list/napa-valley-farmhouse) — 57 ideas
- [Tuscan Style Homes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/64111724/list/tuscan-style-homes) — 46 ideas
- [Pebble Beach](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/84769530/list/pebble-beach) — 16 ideas
- [Interior Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82294771/list/interior-stairs) — 8 ideas
- [pools](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80599407/list/pools) — 26 ideas
- [French Transitional](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72309478/list/french-transitional) — 7 ideas
- [White & Black exteriors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/60672511/list/white-black-exteriors) — 34 ideas
- [Mediterranean](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/64159905/list/mediterranean) — 15 ideas
- [Kitchen Islands](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/62900879/list/kitchen-islands) — 20 ideas
- [Wilder Kitchen Hoods and Fireplace Mantels](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/60563653/list/wilder-kitchen-hoods-and-fireplace-mantels) — 7 ideas
- [Contemporary Spanish](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/47787145/list/contemporary-spanish) — 57 ideas

[See all 11 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/straussdesign)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Exterior paint color?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Can you please tell me the exterior paint color

A: SW Pearly White / SW Tricorn Black

**Q: Where is the orange door from?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Indoor

A: KMA53 Copper Creek

**Q: light fixtures.** *(in Photo Questions)*

any chance there is info. on these beautiful lights. Where they were purchased or has anyone found similar ones?

A: We are sorry but we don't have that information.

**Q: What color are the cabinets and walls painted in this photo?** *(in Photo Questions)*

I am wanting to paint my cabinets a gray color like this, but don't know what color to paint my kitchen walls if I go that route. I could also paint my cabinets white and walls Agreeable Grey, but I've heard that white cabinets are going out of style and I'd like something timeless.  My counter tops are a polished White Knight granite.  Thoughts?  Thanks!

A: I'm sorry but we don't have that information.

**Q: what is the siding color?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Love the color it is the perfect green/gray/black combo!

A: They are Pratt & Lambert colors.

**Q: What is the trim color?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: It's a precast surround, no actual paint. Hope this helps.

---

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