--- title: "Karin Payson architecture + design — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/karin-payson-architecture-design-pfvwus-pf~1635873203 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1635873203.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Karin Payson architecture + design" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/0c33821b08d328b9_1168-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "17 Jack Kerouac Alley, San Francisco, California 94133, United States" latitude: 37.8002 longitude: -122.4091 phone: "(415) 277-9500" website: http://www.kpad.com rating: 5 review_count: 9 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 267 last_updated: 2026-09-04 --- # Karin Payson architecture + design Original Houzz profile: [Karin Payson architecture + design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/karin-payson-architecture-design-pfvwus-pf~1635873203) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Serves:** San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Napa, Mill Valley, Larkspur, Piedmont, Sonoma, Corte Madera, Tiburon, Saint Helena, Brisbane, Belvedere, Occidental, Columbia County NY, Dutchess County NY, Oakville, Sacramentio Delta, Sonoma County, Ulster County NY - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2013–2021), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves Karin Payson architecture and design (KPa+d) was established in 1992 to pursue a diverse practice of both private and publicly funded work. We work closely with clients to expand, remodel and build new facilities. We believe that all superior design stems from disciplined architectural inquiry. The situation, site, and unique wants and needs of each individual client drive the solution rather than stylistic preferences. Whether a project is urban or rural, whether it involves a complete building or simply an interior, we seek to integrate a love of landscape and natural light with straightforward principles of spatial organization to make a design that is as elegant as it is sensible. Ultimately we hope that our clients see themselves and their dreams reflected in the work. The work we do as architects has inevitable consequences for local and global environments as well as personal comfort. KPa+d has a long history of engaging the spaces we design with the site, capturing every possible opportunity to bring the outdoors inside with natural light, views, and outdoor rooms. We guide clients toward smart choices about materials and mechanical systems that will meet their needs and enhance the physical and aesthetic experience of place. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Architecture - Construction Drawings - Remodeling ### Areas Served - San Francisco - Oakland - Berkeley - Napa - Mill Valley - Larkspur - Piedmont - Sonoma - Corte Madera - Tiburon - Saint Helena - Brisbane - Belvedere - Occidental - Columbia County NY - Dutchess County NY - Oakville - Sacramentio Delta - Sonoma County - Ulster County NY ### Typical Job Cost $500,000 - $6m Job costs quoted above are for construction cost only. Total project costs vary, according to the range of services required, site conditions and local permit fees. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Karin Payson architecture + design | | Address | 17 Jack Kerouac Alley, San Francisco, California 94133, United States | | Phone | (415) 277-9500 | | Website | http://www.kpad.com | | License Number | (CA) C 22856, (NY) 018959 | | Followers on Houzz | 267 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/kpadarchitects?ref=aymt\_homepage\_panel - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/company/karin-payson-architecture---design?trk=nav\_account\_sub\_nav\_company\_a - Blog — http://www.pinterest.com/karinpayson/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Karin Payson architecture + design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/karin-payson-architecture-design-pfvwus-pf~1635873203) - **Website:** http://www.kpad.com - **Phone:** (415) 277-9500 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - CERTIFICATION• Architect, California; Architect, New York; LEED AP - AWARDS• New Landmark Libraries, Library Journal; Kirby Ward Fitzpatrick Award for Small Firms, Architectural Foundation of San Francisco; Small Firms, Great Projects: San Francisco Magazine - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2013–2021), for Design, 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) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 9 reviews** ### All 9 reviews **★★★★★ — Jamen Howe, April 2018** > Karin was great to work with, as was everyone in her office. She's very experienced, with an exceptional vision for clean, open, bright spaces that also have warmth. She was always professional, focused, and overall pretty unflappable. I liked that she went beyond the obvious in her design and that her creativity was sparked by the challenge of our small house. She really knows her stuff and can actually draw and sketch, which is not a given with architects today. She also has a sense of humor! It was a pleasure to work with her. **Comment from Karin Payson architecture + design:** > Thank you Jamen, for your kind words. You, too, get five stars for being a fantastic client! **★★★★★ — Rob Mark, Nov. 2016** > Karin and her team were wonderful to work with from initial stages through project completion. Karin and I had long discussions about the project direction and about what we both thought about style, finishes, cost, timeline, etc. She and her team are excellent at organizing a project in all its tiny details while helping keep everyone focused on the overall end state. > > Karin's experience and expertise are evident in her approach to her work. Her modern sense of style merged seamlessly with the traditional feel I wanted to keep in the 1898 Victorian we were renovating. She has a keen ability to maximize space in very clever ways, bringing the spaces into the modern era but preserving/recreating/repairing the charm and historical elements that were important to us. > > I would highly recommend Karin to any friend, and have already done so for a few friends evaluating houses that they possibly want to buy and renovate / expand. **Comment from Karin Payson architecture + design:** > Thank you Rob, for this wonderful review. We really enjoyed working with you! It is great to know that you are comfortable and happy with your new home in San Francisco! **★★★★★ — kristylaura, Nov. 2016** > Karin was simply the best -- good communicator, talented designer, presented us with just the right amount of options. We did a massive project (adding a second story in SF and transforming a house from a 2-bed to a 4-bed, 3-bath), and her patience and thoughtful approach has yielded an amazing house which we will live in for decades to come. Thank you KPAD for everything you've done for our family! **Comment from Karin Payson architecture + design:** > Thank you, Kristy! Yours is one of my favorite projects of recent years, and it is great to know that you are so happy in the new house. I look forward to photographing it and posting it on Houzz!! :-) **★★★★★ — Edgewood Builders, Inc, Aug. 2016** > It was an absolute pleasure to work with Karin Payson architecture + design. Our general contracting team managed the installation but it was Karin Payson and her group's attention to detail that set us all up to be successful. > Karin and her incredibly warm personnel put together an amazing interior design packet and her specified finishes were one of the most spectacular assembles of art we have ever been apart of as a company. > The thing that stood out the most on this particular project was their ability to take areas of the existing building with incredibly minimal space and create the most amazing and creative results with the new layouts. > We would highly recommend Karin Payson architecture + design to anyone that is looking for an architect or designer to be a part of their project team. **Comment from Karin Payson architecture + design:** > Thank you very much to Evan and Edgewood Builders! You were great to work with,. Aside from being great at problem solving, you were a true collaborator, and the result shows in the beautiful home and happy client. **★★★★★ — Janet Cohen, July 2016** > In 2011, KPa+D designed a major remodel for us. We sounded out several other designers/architects before working with Karin and found her to be head and shoulders above the rest. From the start, she paid great attention to our needs and ideas and then came up with the most elegant, yet practical, design solutions. Five years on, I am still completely delighted, every day, by the work she and her firm did. We're now excited to be working with KPa+D on another project and once again, their talents and professionalism are outstanding. **Comment from Karin Payson architecture + design:** > Thank you Janet for this great review! It is always reaffirming when a client comes back for another project. What better endorsement could we ask for?! **★★★★★ — janicewiseman, July 2016** > Over 20 years ago, my husband and I started thinking about building the home we currently live in. Karin Payson was our architect from the very start of the process. At our initial meeting we showed her all the styles of homes we liked. She was able to see the common denominator in all those photos (a hipped roof). From that starting point, Karin designed a home that has stood the test of time. After 20 years of family living, it is still current and perfect for the area. As an architect, Karin exceeded our expectations and I wouldn't hesitate to work with her again. **Comment from Karin Payson architecture + design:** > Thank you, Janice for the wonderful review! It gives me great pleasure to know that you and Thom are still enjoying the house, and that it remains the family home even after all the kids have grown. **★★★★★ — daniel\_j\_mcclure, Feb. 2016** > Karin Payson and her team were great leaders in our home reconstruction effort. They stepped in when they joined the effort and became our daily guides in everything we did for our home. Specifically they did the complete home designs and drawings for the reconstructions efforst to include adding on approximately 400 square feet to our 3500 square foot home. And helped us get this specific addition approved by the San Francisco Planning Board, no easy task. Once the plans were completed and approved, they helped us in every aspect of the construction to include helping us pick a contractor, working daily with the contractor to ensure their efforts were in line with our vision, and finally helping us choose the minute details that make a home sparkle like lighting fixtures, appliances and interior and exterior colors. Karin and her team were instrumental in the success of our project, and, most importantly, in the formation of our new home. **Comment from Karin Payson architecture + design:** > Thanks very much, Dan! It takes a great client to complete a successful project, and you and Lisa were terrific to work with! **★★★★★ — Moroso Construction, March 2015** > We've been working with Karin for many years. We truly appreciate her design sense, attention to detail and her unique talent for grasping the client's vision and carrying it through to a seamless finish. Karin is one of the architects who really "gets it." Working with her is always a pleasure. She is a great collaborator and makes the process something that's really enjoyable. **Comment from Karin Payson architecture + design:** > Thank you, Moroso! You are one of my favorite General Contractors, and I am always looking for another project for us to do together. **★★★★★ — Michael Of Noe Valley, Jan. 2014** > KPAD designed and managed construction of my new home on 15 acres in Upstate NY. She understood my aesthetics and living style and came up with a brilliant, efficient and beautiful space that exceeded my wildest dreams, all within budget and time constraints. Karin is not only an innovative architect and designer but appreciates nature, light and modern techniques. ## Selected projects - [OWL House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/owl-house-pj-vj~5829510) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 9 - [Treehouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/treehouse-pj-vj~5689105) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: A San Francisco couple bought a 1970’s house, cheaply built but well-sited, on a beautiful property in the redwoods. Their initial thought was to do some cosmetic upgrades. On our first look at the home, we saw some minor flaws in the plan that, if corrected, would have a significant impact on the quality of the house: A bay window that was once meant to expand the bedrooms did not adequately do so; it was falling off anyway, so we rebuilt that element to be part of the house. The lower level, s… - [Farr Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farr-residence-pj-vj~5674108) - Location: Saratoga, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: This house was a traditional style home designed by a developer and built in the 1980s on a spectacular site with 270 degree views. The original house had a poor floor plan and was cheaply built. It needed a major facelift, and with the exception of the new windows and doors throughout the house, our work was limited to the interior of the building. We gutted the house, moved a few walls to improve the quality of the individual rooms as well as the flow of the plan. and upgraded the structure wh… - [Noe House--San Francisco, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/noe-house-san-francisco-ca-pj-vj~2866189) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: A young couple with a baby and another on the way bought a 1938 house and asked us to expand it vertically and horizontally, to create a house they could raise their family in. The new house retains only the two front rooms of the original, but opens up for large flexible spaces on the main floor for family and social life, as well as three large bedrooms on the new second floor. Natural light, a strong connection to the outdoors, and a clear floor plan give this city house an expansive feeling.… - [Victorian Flat Updated Design - San Francisco, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/victorian-flat-updated-design-san-francisco-ca-pj-vj~2174444) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: In mid-2015 we got a call from a recent Business School graduate who was moving to San Francisco for a job and had just purchased a ground floor flat in a 3-unit Victorian. At first the owner only wanted to add a bathroom, remodel the other one and maybe paint everything else. When we found space under the stairs for a spacious second bathroom and a way to expand the master bedroom, he found the inspiration to gut the apartment, remodel what needed updating and restore some original details. The… - [Lake Drive Home Design - Rhinebeck, NY](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-drive-home-design-rhinebeck-ny-pj-vj~1538783) - Location: Rhinebeck, NY - Photos: 11 - Description: In 2003 the owners purchased this 16-acre parcel in the Hudson Valley, with the idea of building a family retreat for year-round use. The land is rocky and densely wooded, sloping in an east-west direction, alternating steep sections with flat areas near the top. For almost ten years they used the land as a summertime campsite while formulating a vision for the buildings and how the property would be used. The visitor arrives from the north, seeing a relatively closed façade on the main house, a… - [18th Street Apartment, Rear Unit Remodel - San Francisco](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/18th-street-apartment-rear-unit-remodel-san-francisco-pj-vj~1031470) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 12 - Description: A quick remodel of the rear apartment on 18th Street on a tight budget. We opened up a tiny two-story unit to create a kitchen-living-dining great room on the main floor and two bedrooms below for a light-filled efficiency unit. With wonderful furnishings and decorative elements by Lisa Staprans of Staprans Design. - [18th Street Apartment, Front Unit Remodel - San Francisco](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/18th-street-apartment-front-unit-remodel-san-francisco-pj-vj~880252) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: historic apartment in San Franicsco's Castro district is brought up to date. - [Algodon House Whole Home Remodel - Menlo Park](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/algodon-house-whole-home-remodel-menlo-park-pj-vj~77775) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: When the owners asked us for help in remodeling and “greening” their house we were faced with many design challenges. The original house was a large “Mediterranean” spec house. It sits on a beautiful and spacious suburban site and was already large enough for their family, but it lacked a strong relationship between interior and exterior, presented some awkward spaces and suffered an excess of stucco ornament. We quieted it all down and modernized it, with improved room proportions; cleaner line… - [Montcalm Whole Home Remodel and Addition - San Francisco](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/montcalm-whole-home-remodel-and-addition-san-francisco-pj-vj~241766) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 32 - [Central Coast Whole Home Remodel and Addition - Carmel, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/central-coast-whole-home-remodel-and-addition-carmel-ca-pj-vj~77823) - Location: Carmel, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: A world-renowned adventurer and his wife purchased this house on the coast of California, with a plan to live there half of each year. The house has spectacular views of the ocean and nearby cliffs; the new owners wanted to redecorate, relate the interiors to the view, and build a new library devoted to books, maps and other documents about exploration. Because of the California Coastal Commission’s strict regulations, we limited our solutions to interior work, with one important exception. The… - [Hill House Whole Home Remodel and Addition - San Francisco,CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hill-house-whole-home-remodel-and-addition-san-francisco-ca-pj-vj~77841) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: After living for many years in a hillside house whose spectacular rear views were partially obstructed by a tangled thicket of trees, a couple approached us seeking a comprehensive overhaul. Having no children, they wanted to transform their dwelling into an easily adaptable place to entertain friends and house overnight guests in privacy and comfort. By digging deeper into the hill and reclaiming a balcony for interior space, we added and extra 300 square feet on the lower level while expanding… - [House of Light Home Remodel and Addition - San Francisco, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/house-of-light-home-remodel-and-addition-san-francisco-ca-pj-vj~78118) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Initially a modest single story structure on a steep hill, this 1950’s house was in its original condition when the owners decided to update and expand it, gaining views of downtown San Francisco and the East Bay. The house had a simple, clear floor plan, conducive to a vertical addition and expansion from within. The old exterior light-and-stair well is now a generous interior stair and atrium, ending in a south-facing deck at the top of the new, second story; light pouring into the center of t… - [Menlo Park Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/menlo-park-residence-pj-vj~11747) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 14 - Description: An extensive remodel transformed this formerly dark, traditional residence into an open, contemporary family home. We installed a new steel window and door system that floods the interior with light and creates direct connections to a series of outdoor spaces. Green elements such as radiant heat and solar thermal panels align with the client’s interest in sustainability. - [Garden House New Home Design - Atherton, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garden-house-new-home-design-atherton-ca-pj-vj~77826) - Location: Atherton, CA - Photos: 15 - Description: The contractor was already on site digging a basement when we were called in to overhaul the design of this expansive residence in Atherton. The challenge was to reconcile two quite different visions of home life into a coherent family dwelling. One of the owners was an avid enthusiast of modern architecture who would have been happy living in Phillip Johnson’s Glass House. The other had more traditional taste. Working within the existing footprint, we developed an architectural vocabulary that… - [Star Fish House Whole Home Remodel and Addition - San Francisco, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/star-fish-house-whole-home-remodel-and-addition-san-francisco-ca-pj-vj~77848) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: At three stories tall on a hillside site, the original 1978 house was crumbling, but had commanding views of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco. A repair project with a minor facelift soon grew into a major renovation. This odd little house with low, complicated ceilings was transformed into a town house more fitting with its context. A completely new street façade drove changes to the floor plan that enabled the owners to reconsider their way of living. - [Oak Knoll Home Remodel and Addition - Oakville, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oak-knoll-home-remodel-and-addition-oakville-ca-pj-vj~77845) - Location: Oakville, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: Situated on a 20-acre parcel in the Napa Valley, this house had virtually no connection to the stunning property surrounding it. The owner wanted to overhaul the interior ro make it an inviting place for off-site business meetings. By opening up the floor plan, we transformed the kitchen, wine closet and pantry into a single space with views over an expanded patio towards a nearby creek and footbridge. In the event of a crowd to large for the long dining table before the new full-length windows,… - [Wiseman House Whole Home Design - Walnut Grove, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wiseman-house-whole-home-design-walnut-grove-ca-pj-vj~77851) - Location: Walnut Grove, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: A family with a one-acre lot on an old pear orchard in the Sacramento Delta approached us requesting a Mission Style - English Manor - French Provincial home. Together, we developed a courtyard house with deep-eaved, shallow-pitched rooflines, in which interlocking volumes define living zones and wrap around a central open-air room, dissolving boundaries between interior and exterior while at the same time creating natural borders between family areas and private space. Family-centered rooms ope… [See all 18 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/karin-payson-architecture-design-pfvwus-pf~1635873203) ## Ideabooks - [Eureka!](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/126797501/list/eureka) — 3 ideas - [A+B+C-L](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/126096225/list/a-b-c-l) — 7 ideas - [Birdland](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/117970350/list/birdland) — 5 ideas - [Traditional stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/101115891/list/traditional-stairs) — 6 ideas - [Dark wood room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/92076774/list/dark-wood-room) — 4 ideas - [Garden ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/67694548/list/garden-ideas) — 29 ideas - [Metal work](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/64582209/list/metal-work) — 10 ideas - [Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/71420933/list/kitchens) — 20 ideas - [Details](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/77818709/list/details) — 6 ideas - [Interior Decorating](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/77819719/list/interior-decorating) — 3 ideas - [Doors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/64320134/list/doors) — 11 ideas - [Garden inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68593973/list/garden-inspiration) — 7 ideas - [Landscapes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/65215141/list/landscapes) — 1 idea - [KPAD's Inspirations and Influences](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5755437/list/kpad-s-inspirations-and-influences) — 8 ideas [See all 14 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kpad) ## Community Q&A **Q: Blue Tile Backsplash** *(in Photo Questions)* What's the blue tile backsplash? Looks great A: Tile is from Heath Ceramics. **Q: What brand is entry way tile?** *(in Photo Questions)* What brand is and where did you find the black/white entry way tile? A: They are cement encaustic tile. You can find these products here: https://www.cletile.com/products/moroccan-encaustic-cement-tile-cathedral?&variant=41225759046 **Q: Me encanta esa cama, dónde puedo comprarla?** *(in Photo Questions)* Cómo se llama el modelo para googlearla y ver dónde la puedo comprar. Gracias! A: Sí, gracias por tu comentario. La cama (y el mesita del noche) todavía están disponibles en West Elm. La linea se llama :Acorn:. **Q: what is the material of the counter tops** *(in Photo Questions)* Is this marble? Everything is beautiful A: this is cesar stone. **Q: Sauna builder** *(in Photo Questions)* Great project! Do you mind sharing who was the sauna builder for this project? Thanks! A: The sauna heating unit is from Finnleo. The builder who built the room and finished it out as you see it was the same who built the house--Sean Miller of Rhinebeck, NY. He does not have a website. **Q: love the slate coloured cushion** *(in Photo Questions)* where is this from? A: Thanks! Credit Lisa Staprans, Staprans Design. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-04.*