--- title: "domusstudio architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/domusstudio-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1635946431 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1635946431.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "domusstudio architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/eb831e370580a2c3_8440-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "2800 3rd Avenue, San Diego, California 92103, United States" latitude: 32.7466 longitude: -117.1636 phone: "(619) 692-9393" website: http://domusstudio.com/architecture-work/residential/ rating: 5 review_count: 4 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 117 last_updated: 2026-09-04 --- # domusstudio architecture Original Houzz profile: [domusstudio architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/domusstudio-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1635946431) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** San Diego, CA - **Serves:** San Diego, San Diego County, University City, Chula Vista, National City, La Jolla, Lemon Grove, Coronado, Hill Crest San Diego, Logan Heights San Diego, Mission Hills San Diego, Mission Valley San Diego, Ocean Beach San Diego, Point Loma San Diego, Tierrasanta San Diego - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (4 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2016), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - 25,000 Ideabook Saves Our name “domus” is Latin for house. We love houses and we work hard with you and for you to a create a home that truly fits. Through thoughtful design we believe that the spaces we create can really help you do what you do, better. In a house this means designing spaces for better family time, for a better place to relax after work, for connecting with nature, or simply for enjoying a beautiful ocean view. In the end whatever you do in your home, shouldn't your architecture support your lifestyle? ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Home Remodeling - Sustainable Design - 3D Rendering - 3d home design - home restoration - remodeling ### Areas Served - San Diego - San Diego County - University City - Chula Vista - National City - La Jolla - Lemon Grove - Coronado - Hill Crest San Diego - Logan Heights San Diego - Mission Hills San Diego - Mission Valley San Diego - Ocean Beach San Diego - Point Loma San Diego - Tierrasanta San Diego ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | domusstudio architecture | | Address | 2800 3rd Avenue, San Diego, California 92103, United States | | Phone | (619) 692-9393 | | Website | http://domusstudio.com/architecture-work/residential/ | | Followers on Houzz | 117 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/domusstudioarchitecture - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/domusstudio - Blog — http://domusstudio.com/category/blog/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [domusstudio architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/domusstudio-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1635946431) - **Website:** http://domusstudio.com/architecture-work/residential/ - **Phone:** (619) 692-9393 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Grand Prize winner of the Pacific Builders Conference Gold Nugget Awards, A.I.A. Merit Award in 2014, CUSTOM CONTEMPORARY HOME OF THE YEAR (SILVER): 2009, RANCH AND COAST HOME OF THE YEAR: 2010, BATHROOM OF THE YEAR: 2009, BEST MULTI-FAMILY LIVING WESTERN U.S. (GOLD): 2009 - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2016), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 4 reviews** ### All 4 reviews **★★★★★ — Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture, June 2016** > Domusstudio is a top notch architecture firm and deserves all five stars. We have collaborated with many of their project architects on a variety of projects as the landscape architects. They excel at managing the design process, organizing the collaborative efforts between professionals, designing wonderfullu unique spaces, and carrying projects through to the very last detail. We would highly recommend Domusstudio to anyone looking for the very best. **★★★★★ — jacknooren, Oct. 2015** > We hired David Keitel of domusstudio in 2010 for the design of our new home in La Jolla. We purchased an existing home in the Shores that needed to be demolished. We interviewed 3 firms and based our decision on firms that specialized in contemporary design, recommendations/ reviews and value. David was very easy to work with and was there from the very beginning of helping us find an attorney to assist in the historic clearance of the home that was on the site, to going to each and every community planning meeting until we received our permit. This was a challenging process during David handled all the presentations. David and domusstudio where very receptive to our idea's and clearly understood our vision for our home. We brought in a consultant to gain Gold Status for the LEED certification process. With the help of David and his firm we where able to get to Platinum LEED certified. David helped us find a great builder and handled the interior design 100%. With his help we finished on time, under budget and with a number of great awards for our design. David is one of the most caring people I have ever worked with. He was always available and easy to get ahold of. He and his firm made our project perfect plus he got it published in a number of great magazine's including Dwell. **★★★★★ — susanwow, Oct. 2015** > A Five Star recommendation for sure!! A great experience and worth every penny! Domusstudios' Lew, John and team took all my pictures, ideas, needs and wants, and then designed my dream home the way I wanted, but even better! Their experience, creativity, and professionalism took a lot of stress out of building our custom beach house. These guys really know what they're doing! They have the highest tech skills, and they take the responsibility and time to get all the details right before construction starts! .... Meaning minimal change$ , meeting budgets & timelines. Our builder said it was the best set of plans he'd ever worked with! Domusstudio's architects have a solid reputation in the community for designing so many amazing and award winning projects, yet the team is down-to-earth, available and easy to communicate with at all points of the design, permitting & construction process. I trust this firm, consider them friends, and would hire them again! **★★★★★ — Lisa Schroeder, Sept. 2015** > I cannot say enough good things about domusstudio architecture. We had a very unique site, and they more than fulfilled our expectations. We initially met with Lew Dominy, but John Pyjar was the lead architect on our project. Both of them really listened to how we lived our lives before bringing their designs to us. When we started the project, our children were quite young, and they brought some great ideas for how the house would accommodate their changing needs as they became teenagers. We were thrilled with the initial design and had very few changes as the process went on. > We had many complex issues through the permitting process, such as Coastal Commission, endangered species in our canyon, and a possible Native American burial ground. The team at domusstudio shepherded us through it all. I honestly don't know if we could have gotten the house built without them. The house was designed during a time when there was a lot of building in the City of San Diego, and our team kept our plans moving through the permitting process. > While working on design for the house, one of the architects, David Keitel, was in charge of helping us select interior finishes, including designing the kitchen. He was absolutely fantastic. It made the millions of decisions on details so much easier because we had someone we trusted to edit down the selection for us. > We ended up with not only a beautiful home, but one that is so livable. After almost 8 years since completion, we still love all the little things that the architects included in the plans. ## Selected projects - [Girard + Kvasnicka Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/girard-kvasnicka-residence-pj-vj~1159096) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - Description: This original 3,639 sq/ft home was tired/neglected and was built at a time where the home was turned inward and broken up into smaller separate rooms. The home has panoramic views of the north slope of Mt. Soledad all the way west to the Pacific Ocean. The family wanted a more open home, filled with light and a open floor plan suitable for family living that captures the available views from all the rooms. The south and west walls of the new design expands the view from almost every room in the… - [La Jolla Shores House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/la-jolla-shores-house-pj-vj~964116) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 46 - Description: The challenges of this site, and goals of the client were formidable. The small site was on a small and fairly busy corner in a beach community, and the goal was a home with openness, yet privacy, and sustainability on a fixed budget. The design evolved to open outward and visually borrow space and capture views from the open two sides. The transparency allows the beach atmosphere to engulf the home. Very important strategic privacy is provided by window locations, low fencing and carefully plac… - [Windansea Beach Homes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/windansea-beach-homes-pj-vj~1159459) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: The eight infill town homes totaling almost 5,000 square feet each sit between two narrow, winding one way streets on a 23,000 square foot lot just feet from Windansea Beach in La Jolla. There is surprising light and privacy despite the high density. Three levels give wonderful openness and volume inside. This irregular and curving lot was previously occupied by the typical ‘50’s two-story box-shaped apartment complex with exterior balcony circulation. The property sits between two narrow, windi… - [La Jolla Farms Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/la-jolla-farms-residence-pj-vj~964091) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: Recycle! Discipline and restraint are two words that are not often associated with a residence of this scale, and yet this approach is precisely the one taken for this remodel. This home is actually the recycling and greening of an original house built, and then once already poorly remodeled, on this four acre, bluff-top, ocean fronting site. The structure, the materials, and many of the components of the original house were recycled along with the entitlements. The simplicity of the forms and t… - [Fitzsimons + Roman Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fitzsimons-roman-residence-pj-vj~1159035) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: Situated in a long established neighborhood, this all new home on a very small lot faced the challenge of “fitting in” and still providing the owners with the contemporary home on a budget that they desired. Height and story limits, and bad soil dictated excavation and removal of the top layers of soil. These factors led to the solution for an underground garage and shop for the builder/craftsman. The client wanted natural light to flood the house with brightness. They also wanted multiple and a… - [Scripps Canyon Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/scripps-canyon-residence-pj-vj~1159305) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: Sited between two huge Torrey Pine trees on a very narrow lot, transparency and privacy are juxtaposed for the design of this private single family residence. It is axially east-west transparent glass, and north-south private concrete. It is carefully articulated to meld with neighboring homes one third its size. Our goal was to maximize the ocean and whitewater canyon view, give privacy from the close neighbors, and create indoor/outdoor flowing spaces protected from the wind. The major axis of… - [The Triangle House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-triangle-house-pj-vj~1158973) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: This project was built on a triangular lot considered un-buildable for many years. The remnant lot sits near the beach in the neighborhood of multimillion dollars homes. Part of the extreme challenge was convincing the City that a viable home was even possible on this miniscule site. Using many efficiency techniques found on sailing vessels with many built-ins, the 840 square foot home sits on a 1,200 square foot lot with surprising ease and livability. An open floor plan expands the sense of sp… - [Chen Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chen-residence-pj-vj~964055) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 27 - Description: This home is situated on a hillside overlooking the San Dieguito Lagoon, the Del Mar fairgrounds and the Pacific Ocean. It is situated on a .66 acre lot. The project consists of a 4,650 square foot home with a large expansive deck, a 400 square foot Guest House and a 500 square foot garage. The cantilevered roofs cascade down the sloped hillside anchored from a stone clad tower. The long overhangs provide sun control and prevent heat gain to a very transparent home. Building materials include st… - [Hugo Multi Family Townhomes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hugo-multi-family-townhomes-pj-vj~1159492) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: This small site originally contained a tiny old fisherman’s shack from a long gone tuna fleet and cannery era. This is a four unit infill project in an older neighborhood in transition near the San Diego harbor. It is an excellent example of how a remarkable amount of living space can be created on a small lot (50’ x 100’) with privacy and spaciousness for each unit. Each unit is stacked vertically, arranged like a ranch house on edge; garage (in our case basement garage) / studio, bedrooms, liv… - [South Pacific Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-pacific-beach-house-pj-vj~1527000) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Playa Del Sur](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/playa-del-sur-pj-vj~1214065) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: This site within the historic El Pueblo Ribera complex was left vacant after two pueblos were destroyed in a fire. The design respects the context and ideologies of this historically significant project and recalls the architectural massing, articulation and the exploration of concrete by R.M. Schindler for his original 1923 structures. The materials and articulation of the house emulate the original pueblos and respects the context and ideologies of this historically significant site. The desig… - [Vasquez Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vasquez-residence-pj-vj~1228555) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Meridian Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/meridian-penthouse-pj-vj~1214135) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: In over thirty years of practice, this project was unique and fun in every respect. The existing formerly occupied penthouse space contained typical nine foot high drywall ceilings and typical finishes throughout. The ceilings were removed completely and the structure above exposed and finished, giving spatial hierarchies and architectural interest. Every detail was rethought and designed. This building was one of the first residential market rate condominium projects in downtown San Diego. The… - [Newman Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/newman-residence-pj-vj~1228579) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [La Jolla Hill House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/la-jolla-hill-house-pj-vj~1228567) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [The Tree House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-tree-house-pj-vj~1227913) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: This is the story of how this unbelievable lot came into existence. On this prominent hillside at the Southwest corner of Del Mar there existed about 13 acres of land with only “development” being the car parking lot for the German Car Garage across the street. There were 13 lots of approximately one acre each, but some were land locked and had no access or only had access across ravines and natural barriers that would be impossible to bridge without totally desecrating the natural topography. N… - [Del Mar Meadows](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/del-mar-meadows-pj-vj~1204193) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: Designed around entertaining and elegance, this retirement home set in the picturesque coastal bluffs of Del Mar, is a wonderful example of Southern Californian style. The use of open connected space and outdoor living as themes for the home defined the elegant character of this single story home. Fronting on the Meadows of Del Mar Golf Course, the 3,500 square foot home’s contemporary design alludes to the prairie style of architecture. Sandstone bluffs, mesas, arroyos and canyons abound in the… [See all 17 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/domusstudio-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1635946431) ## Community Q&A **Q: Fireplace** *(in Photo Questions)* What brand is the fireplace? A: Hi Marta, The fireplace was selected by the General Contractor, so the brand is unknown. **Q: Chairs?** *(in Photo Questions)* Where can I get the chairs? A: Hi dailfarm, those chairs came from Restoration Hardware. **Q: Depth of Rock Area** *(in Photo Questions)* How deep is the area where the rocks are placed and is the tub built on a raised platform? A: You are most welcome! And no, there is no drain under the rocks. **Q: Loose rocks, how to wet proof?** *(in Photo Questions)* How did you wet proof under the loose rocks? Is there a 2nd drain and a copper pan and concrete? What if you are on a 2nd story and don't have the concrete? A: Hi Denise, the rocks are recessed into the floor. They may get slightly wet but will dry over time left exposed to the air. **Q: Thank you!** *(in Photo Questions)* That's the tub I have my eye on. Thank you! A: You're welcome! **Q: Tub** *(in Photo Questions)* Is it the Elise or Alissa? Thank you for your help it's absolutely beautiful A: This tub model is the Elise. Here is a link http://mtibaths.com/products/tubs/boutique/115 --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-04.*