--- title: "Rebecca Schnier Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rebecca-schnier-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1476478511 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1476478511.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Rebecca Schnier Architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/d4c3bd9803ab4163_2324-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "55 Santa Clara Avenue, Suite 100, Oakland, California 94610, United States" latitude: 37.8126 longitude: -122.2443 phone: "(510) 604-1936" website: http://www.RSArchitecture.com rating: 5 review_count: 11 years_in_business: 30 license_verified: true best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 82 last_updated: 2026-09-05 --- # Rebecca Schnier Architecture > East Bay's Award-Winning Architectural Firm \| 3x Best of Houzz Original Houzz profile: [Rebecca Schnier Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rebecca-schnier-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1476478511) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Oakland, CA - **Serves:** San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, San Leandro, Napa, Alameda, Walnut Creek, Castro Valley, Pleasant Hill, San Pablo, San Lorenzo, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Ashland, Albany, Orinda, Moraga, Emeryville, Healdsburg, Piedmont, Sonoma, Sausalito, Brisbane, Canyon, Marin - **Verified License:** Yes - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (11 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2016–2025), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Eco-friendly - 30 years in business ### Business highlights - 30 years in business - Eco-friendly - Best of Houzz winner Rebecca Schnier Architecture provides full architectural design services to help homeowners create beautiful, comfortable and functional spaces. We believe that the process of design and construction should be pleasurable and stress free for our clients. In addition to architectural work, we offer landscape design, lighting, furniture, color and interior design services. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Space Planning - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Pool House Design & Construction - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Handicap-Accessible Design - Outdoor Kitchen Design - Barn Design & Construction - Basement Remodeling - Basement Design - Attic Conversion - Staircase Design - Landscape Plans - Home Gym Design & Construction - Prefab Houses - Custom Home ### Areas Served - San Francisco - Oakland - Hayward - Concord - Berkeley - Richmond - San Leandro - Napa - Alameda - Walnut Creek - Castro Valley - Pleasant Hill - San Pablo - San Lorenzo - El Cerrito - Lafayette - Ashland - Albany - Orinda - Moraga - Emeryville - Healdsburg - Piedmont - Sonoma - Sausalito - Brisbane - Canyon - Marin ### Typical Job Cost $400,000 - 4 million Explanation to term “Job Cost”: Fees for architectural drawings are only a small percentage of the total Project Cost. The term "Project cost" indicates cost of construction plus architectural drawings fees. Lower range figure indicates cost for drawings. Upper range figure indicates construction costs. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Rebecca Schnier Architecture | | Address | 55 Santa Clara Avenue, Suite 100, Oakland, California 94610, United States | | Phone | (510) 604-1936 | | Website | http://www.RSArchitecture.com | | Years in business | 30 | | Followers on Houzz | 82 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Rebecca Schnier Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rebecca-schnier-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1476478511) - **Website:** http://www.RSArchitecture.com - **Phone:** (510) 604-1936 ## Credentials **Verified License** - Number: C 25375 - Type: Architect - Issued by: California Architects Board **Certifications & Awards** - LEED (Lead in Energy and Environmental Design), GA, AIA (American Institute of Architects), NARI Design Award-best home over $1,000,000 - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2016–2025), 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) - [National Association of the Remodeling Industry](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-the-remodeling-industry-pfvwus-pf~1954795205) - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [Rebuilding Together](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/rebuilding-together-pfvwus-pf~814463327) - [U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/u-s-green-building-council-usgbc-pfvwus-pf~1797160658) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 11 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Featured Review **★★★★★ — mbliven, Aug. 2015** > Rebecca was our architect for a large interior renovation of a kitchen, dining, family area, and half bath. She collaborated with us early on and provided useful tips and ideas on how to make our dream project a reality on schedule and within budget. We really like her clean and contemporary design ideas and attention to detail as she sought to understand our requirements and style. Rebecca worked well with other members of our project team and was available for questions and guidance while the project moved forward. We highly recommend her! **Comment from Rebecca Schnier Architecture:** > Thank you so much Matt. It's a pleasure working with you. It's been wonderful seeing how your family and friends enjoy the new spaces and the indoor/outdoor connection. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you again this time on the front and rear garden design. The outcome reflects your taste in a beautiful way. ### All 11 reviews **★★★★★ — Nikrad M, April 2024** > We love the detached ADU that Rebecca designed for our backyard! The attention to detail and the innovative design are evident throughout, whether in the structure of the space or the paint colors. The standout feature has to be the lofty butterfly ceiling, which not only adds an element of sophistication but also makes the interior feel incredibly spacious and bathed in natural light. Rebecca was not only a visionary in her designs but also exceptionally hands-on in facilitating communication with our contractor, ensuring a seamless process from start to finish. She always radiated a warm professionalism and thoughtful creativity in our design discussions, making her an absolute joy to work with! We highly recommend her services to anyone looking to elevate their living space with style and precision. She'll be the first person we call for any future projects! **Comment from Rebecca Schnier Architecture:** > Thank you Nikrad! It was a pleasure working with you both, and then being there when the baby came. Now you really need that space. It will get lots of love from your family. **★★★★★ — Lawrence Maligaya, Jan. 2021** > We were first drawn to Rebecca's aesthetic of contemporary, minimalist, and clean designs with influences of Japanese style. We've had an amazing sense of comfort and creativity working with Rebecca since the day we met which ultimately led us to choose her for our large remodeling project. Our initial project was for the interior of our first home, including kitchen/dining/great room, bathrooms, hallways, garage, soft-story/earthquake retrofits, backyard deck, and landscaping. Rebecca was able to educate us on the entire remodeling process, provide great ideas on layout/functionality/aesthetics/materials, and find and interface directly with contractors/suppliers/vendors all while keeping our budget and timeline in mind. She definitely makes the process more relaxing and allows you to focus on the aspects you enjoy the most. Now that our remodeling project is over, we are so grateful to have Rebecca as our architect. We absolutely love how our updated home turned out and all of the living spaces are aesthetically tied together in a way that only an elite architect would be able to achieve. We currently have another ongoing project with Rebecca, this time on the exterior of our house. We couldn't recommend enough Rebecca enough and we will continue to work with her in the future. **Comment from Rebecca Schnier Architecture:** > Thank you for the lovely compliments, Lawrence. You and Yunjie are delightful to work with. Can't wait to meet your new little one in person. **★★★★★ — A Sasaki, Sept. 2020** > Rebecca brought sanity and structure to our home renovation project. She was able to explain the stages of the project and what to expect at each step. By working backward from our budget and having us split our requests into needs, wants, and wishes, she helped us prioritize our wishlist. > > Rebecca guided our plans through the design approval process, a milestone we could not have reached without her expertise and contacts. When various changing circumstances brought us to the decision to abandon the project, it became clear how advantageous her approach is. By following her guidelines, we minimized our upfront costs. We should have found and hired Rebecca much, much earlier in the process. We would have saved quite a bit of time, headache, and money had we done so. **Comment from Rebecca Schnier Architecture:** > Thank you, Aki. What an exciting, if site-wise a challenging, project. It's been wonderful working with you and Tracy. **★★★★★ — DC Construction Inc., Dec. 2017** > Rebecca is an absolute pleasure to work with. She always exercises good judgment and has a comprehensive grasp of the construction process that helps each job flow smoothly. She listens extremely well and synthesizes the myriad issues that arise, always with an eye towards the best value for her clients, the highest level of design, and keeping things uncomplicated for us as the general contractor. Highly recommend working with her. **Comment from Rebecca Schnier Architecture:** > Thank you Donny for the high praise! We always strive to do our best. **★★★★★ — William Hecht, Oct. 2017** > If you see Rebecca and she now has gray hair, that would be us. We had a project that seemed to stop and start way too many times. And then she had to patiently try to coax perspective out of us - were we only the people who would say, "just do it and we'll be fine" the job would have flown by. That was not to be. But we got there and now love the look of our house and that is 100% due to Rebecca's help. > > So what was our project? We have a home from 1989 and the exterior was in desperate need of an update. But the house is a bit of an oddity which meant a coat of paint would not do. With her help we wound up getting all new windows, updating the exterior with siding and finally repairing the stucco and painting. > > What did Rebecca bring to the table besides patience? First, perspective - how do we update our house in a way that fits where we live as well as what we would like to see. I would have no idea- she did. Second, rock solid recommendations around materials - being considerate of our budget but also recommending things that perhaps a bit more expensive but where we would benefit from the extra dollars (lighting was one example, siding was another). Third, pricing and help when figuring out how to get the project rolling and also how things should progress- this was also helpful as we had never done a project like this before. > > The only thing we would do differently next time is probably keep her involved on a more day-to-day basis and use her contractor. Our contractor was great and things turned out fine but it would have likely saved us time and money to have worked with someone with whom she had a relationship and to have her even more involved when the inevitable surprises came up (versus having to email or call in a panic!). > > So we would definitely recommend Rebecca. **★★★★★ — Anne Weinberger Garden Design, Sept. 2016** > Rebecca and I collaborated on the design of two decks for a vintage Berkeley home. She was terrific, offering creative ideas, a great appreciation for integrating these new elements seamlessly into the design of an older home, and clear expertise in developing detailed plans and presenting them to the client and the permit office. **Comment from Rebecca Schnier Architecture:** > Thank you, Anne. It's always a pleasure working with you. I admire your knowledge of how the plants you specify look in each season and how they grow and change over time. **★★★★★ — Michael Friedes Design Associates, Sept. 2016** > Rebecca is always a wonderful collaborator of projects. She has a wonderful sense of space, light and function and has a way of incorporating stunning details into her architecture. Clients really enjoy working with her, as do I. **Comment from Rebecca Schnier Architecture:** > Thank you, Michael. The mutual admiration we have for each other's skills makes us a great team! **★★★★★ — J. R. Breska, Aug. 2016** > I have had the pleasure to work with Rebecca and her staff on a number of award winning project in the greater S.F. Bay Area. She possesses the ability to identify and create design solutions that not only resolve the needs of the Client, but that are environmentally responsible and visually beautiful. Rebecca always addresses the overall visual impact of a project with regards to how the new feature(s) will integrate with the existing design and she is an expert at bringing all those elements together. I have been in the construction industry for over 40 years and have worked with a number of architectural firms; Rebecca Schnier is professional, very detail oriented and one of the best at what she does. **Comment from Rebecca Schnier Architecture:** > It's always a pleasure working with you, Jim. Thank you for your kind words and review. **★★★★★ — James Stevenson, Aug. 2015** > We are delighted to recommend Rebecca Schnier Architecture. We hired Rebecca Schnier Architecture for our project after watching, in our neighborhood, a major second floor addition of hers go up. > > Rebecca Schnier Architecture made many valuable changes to our 85 year old house. Most of the changes were subtle, yet have made wonderful, positive impacts on the way we live in and enjoy our home: Rebecca moved a wall in the kitchen just 15 inches, and created a much more attractive and functional work space. Before, the center of our house was dark and not particularly inviting. After studying how the sun angle effected the interior natural light, Rebecca convinced us to add Solatubes in the middle of our kitchen and at a stair landing. Looking closely at the house’s structure, she saw just how this could be accomplished without disturbing any finishes. > > She modified openings between rooms to improve traffic flow and make views to the outside available. This again, brought more natural light into the center of the house. She removed an interior wall in the bathroom to provide more light and space. Throughout the project, we felt Rebecca listened to our ideas and priorities and was collaborative in her approach. And she was cost conscious and realistic - a true creative problem solver, thinking outside the box. Her extensive experience allows her to find creative solutions. Rebecca was a joy to work with. She cares about each project and wants her clients to love their homes. We enjoyed working with Rebecca, and we are very pleased with her work. **★★★★★ — Julie Palley, July 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. ## Selected projects - [East Bay House on the Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-bay-house-on-the-hill-pj-vj~718000) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 33 - Description: This was a complete makeover of a San Francisco East Bay home. - [Piedmont with a Twist](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/piedmont-with-a-twist-pj-vj~4815652) - Location: Piedmont, CA - Photos: 20 - Description: The project focused on the renovation of the kitchen and two bathrooms, It included renovation of the entire main floor plus select areas on the upper level. On the main level the favored space layout located kitchen in the middle of the house; a challenge was how to provide it with views and natural day light. Storage was also desperately needed. Two walls adjacent to the kitchen were opened up. We then carefully mocked up (using cardboard boxes!) how storage could be maximized and best positio… - [Net Zero Energy Meets Feng Shui](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/net-zero-energy-meets-feng-shui-pj-vj~750073) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 26 - Description: A duplex, expanded with an addition, was turned into a gracious single-family residence. Three primary factors provided the direction for this project: the panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, adherence to feng shui principles established by the client’s noted Chinese feng shui master, and the goal of a net-zero energy house using sustainable materials. Interior walls and separations were minimized to create a maximum sense of openness and focus towards the view. The feng shui master counse… - [Castro Valley Total Redo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/castro-valley-total-redo-pj-vj~7641718) - Location: Castro Valley, CA - Photos: 27 - Description: A typical ranch style home got a complete facelift and second floor addition. The interior was also completely transformed. The front door of the original house was hidden away behind the garage. A small addition at the ground floor added a gracious entry vestibule for shoes and coats. This addition along with a new entry trellis the front door is now clearly evident as one approaches the house. The second floor addition contains the new primary suite with full bath and walk in dressing area. Th… - [Hills House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hills-house-pj-vj~695652) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 38 - Description: A large second floor addition with master suite plus additional bedroom was phase one of this project. Phases two and three included renovations on the main level - kitchen, study, guest room, bathroom. Views, natural daylight and privacy drove various design decisions. Views of the San Francisco Bay propelled the chamfered angle of the upper floor. A large skylight over the new centrally located stair allows light to entry into the core of the house. Sufficient privacy while capturing hillside… - [John Carl Warnecke remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/john-carl-warnecke-remodel-pj-vj~6688518) - Location: Piedmont, CA - Photos: 26 - [Steel meets wood](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/steel-meets-wood-pj-vj~6826355) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 16 - Description: Updates to unusual Oakland home: the house is in two wings that sit at an arbitrary angle to each other with the front door in the elbow. When we removed a couple of interior walls to open up the space, we were faced with how create a defined entry area. The solution came in an single long piece of cabinetry that changes material, angle and function as it moves along. At the entry, it's a shoe cupboard and display shelves, then a steel vertical for bottles, then a sideboard serving the dining ar… - [ADU with library/private art collection](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/adu-with-library-private-art-collection-pj-vj~1237279) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 17 - Description: The clients originally came to us to design an independent writing studio with bedroom, bath and plenty of library shelving. Modern materials, simple forms and clean lines are featured throughout without compromising the integrity of the original English Tudor cottage style home. The harmonic scale and proportion complement the site. The library steps down the sloped site, creating a dynamic passage between the original house and the writer's retreat. It is a perfect home office with beautiful v… - [Interior/Exterior Design Genius](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/interior-exterior-design-genius-pj-vj~3089448) - Location: Alameda, CA - Photos: 22 - Description: The gardens of this Alameda project were phase two of the previous house renovation. The rear of the house overlooks a three-tiered garden leading down to a boat dock replete with hot tub and seating. An intermediate-level outdoor room features a built-in bench and lounge area for gatherings. The spacious layout works perfectly for socially distant entertaining. One level up, a wall of raked Ipe wood boards conceals an outdoor shower. It's great for giving the dog a good scrubbing. In the front… - [Contemporary with an Asian Twist](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-with-an-asian-twist-pj-vj~6546998) - Location: Castro Valley, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: The owners of the contemporary style house sought to bring in a Japanese feel to their renovation. Woodwork, special wall treatment, and innovative layout all contributed the serene sense of the completed project. An addition at the roof of the entry brings light into the formally dim space. Carefully designed cabinets at the entry conceal a sound proof music room. For the master bathroom an ofuro (Japanese style soaking tub) imported from Japan is the perfect size. It looks out to a small priva… - [Asian transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/asian-transformation-pj-vj~6547031) - Location: San Leandro, CA - Photos: 3 - [Covid-19 expansion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/covid-19-expansion-pj-vj~6365919) - Location: Piedmont, CA - Photos: 14 - Description: Up in the air, one feels away from the cares of the world. The deck extends 15' off the face of the house. The deck provides lots of entertaining, study, work and play areas for the family with young children. It is safe, away from the street, and is spacious enough for several activities to take place simultaneously. Various width Ipe boards make for a very special surface underfoot. - [Four Bridges View](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/four-bridges-view-pj-vj~600496) - Location: Piedmont, CA - Photos: 15 - Description: This elegantly modern home was redesigned to take full advantage of the fantastic views of the San Francisco Bay. Sunlight and views now penetrate all public spaces of the house. The downstairs was formerly a storage/furnace area and the stair down was dark, being contained within walls at the main level. The house is now airy and open. The expansive dark wood floors and views to nature give a warm, organic feel. The matte steel of the stair guard rail adds just a hint of the edginess. The site… - [Piedmont Kitchen for Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/piedmont-kitchen-for-living-pj-vj~709669) - Location: Piedmont, CA - Photos: 7 - [Dressed Up in Piedmont](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dressed-up-in-piedmont-pj-vj~768519) - Location: Piedmont, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: The home was lovely to begin with except for the areas in which the large family liked to congregate. This project consisted of opening up the tight, dark areas, adding new steel windows and doors to a formally dismal and dark family zone of a home. Incorporating a sense of whimsy and fun, lily-pad plates were wrapped around a corner and associated pond creatures, such as dragonflies and frogs were incorporated into the stove backsplash. The client herself did the stenciling of the entry hall. L… - [Alameda Tides](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/alameda-tides-pj-vj~4834913) - Location: Alameda, CA - Photos: 6 - [Creative Piedmont Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/creative-piedmont-home-pj-vj~2772102) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 9 - [From Rags to Riches](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/from-rags-to-riches-pj-vj~1482376) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 7 - [Kitchen for a Lafayette Family](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-for-a-lafayette-family-pj-vj~1266376) - Location: Lafayette, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: For informal entertaining, this new "great room" is the best! Large doors lead out to a deck, perfect for barbequing while entertaining. Lots of counter space for spreading out and showing off family sculpture pieces. The new great room consists of kitchen, dining area, and living room. The area was previously cut up into small areas; walls were removed to open things up. - [Master Suite in the Attic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/master-suite-in-the-attic-pj-vj~719224) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: compact, attic space, skylights, dormers, using small space, master suite, glass backed bookcase, sharing light, natural light, master bedroom bookcase, floor height change, stairs between bathroom and bedroom, stairs in bedroom, storage in bedroom, sloped ceiling [See all 31 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rebecca-schnier-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1476478511) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/840725864.m3u8?s=3522fb896ce3772365c1879de3c98dc394ba3d90&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-05.*