--- title: "Kohler Architects, Inc. — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kohler-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1736457940 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1736457940.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Kohler Architects, Inc." category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/1a4344980f665e76_7898-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "721 Colorado Ave Suite 102, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States" latitude: 37.4673 longitude: -122.1388 phone: "(650) 328-1086" website: http://www.kohlerarchitects.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 22 years_in_business: 42 license_verified: true best_of_houzz_awards: 6 followers: 89 last_updated: 2026-11-07 --- # Kohler Architects, Inc. > Designing Beautiful, Sustainable Homes in Palo Alto, California Original Houzz profile: [Kohler Architects, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kohler-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1736457940) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Palo Alto, CA - **Serves:** Redwood City, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, San Carlos, Los Altos Hills, Atherton, West Menlo Park - **Verified License:** Yes - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (22 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2023–2026), for Service, Innovator. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Houzz Pro Certified - Builder - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Family owned - 42 years in business - Provides 3D Visualization - Houzz Pro Certified ### Business highlights - Best of Houzz winner - 42 years in business - Family owned - Houzz Pro Certified - Provides 3D Visualization Kohler Architects is a Architecture Firm specializing in custom residential projects in the Bay Area since 1980! With a highly experience and creative professional staff, led by Matt Kohler (founder Roger Kohler's son), Kohler Architects is established as one of the leading firms in the Peninsula. We have a strong dedication to a high level of customer service, and sense of urgency to get projects completed on time, which has given us many repeat customers and referrals. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing how we can help with your future project! ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Pool House Design & Construction - Drafting - Project Management - Basement Design ### Areas Served - Redwood City - Mountain View - Palo Alto - Menlo Park - Los Altos - San Carlos - Los Altos Hills - Atherton - West Menlo Park ### Typical Job Cost $400,000 - 5 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Kohler Architects, Inc. | | Address | 721 Colorado Ave Suite 102, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States | | Phone | (650) 328-1086 | | Website | http://www.kohlerarchitects.com | | Years in business | 42 | | Followers on Houzz | 89 | **Social profiles:** - X (Twitter) — www.twitter.com/kohlerarchitect - LinkedIn — www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-kohler-79b6a12b - Blog — www.kohlerarchitects.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Kohler Architects, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kohler-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1736457940) - **Website:** http://www.kohlerarchitects.com - **Phone:** (650) 328-1086 ## Credentials **Verified License** - Number: 38100 - Type: Architects Board, California - Issued by: Architects Board, California - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2023–2026), for Service, Innovator. **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: 4.9 out of 5 — 22 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 5.0 - Communication: 4.9 - Value: 4.9 ### Featured Review **★★★★★ — Disha Chopra, July 2022** > We had a wonderful experience working with Kohler Architects. They made sure to create a comfortable, functional and beautiful space for us. They have been doing this for a long time and we really valued the insights they provided to help shape our space. They incorporated everything from our (constantly evolving )wishlist and the results are just fabulous! > Key highlights : > 1\. The project moved at a steady pace throughout. Matt was always on top of things and very responsive. > 2\. Our submissions for Planning and Building were approved seamlessly. Big accomplishment for Palo Alto! Kohler's experience in working with the City of Palo Alto was really instrumental in the smooth execution of the project. > 3\. We had an unusual challenge related to our pool. I was not getting much support on it from the pool company so I turned to Matt and he helped navigate the City requirements and file exceptions. > 4\. Matt was always available to answer questions and resolve any practical issues that came up in the field. > > We are really thankful for the support they provided to us for our project and would HIGHLY recommend their services. ### All 22 reviews **★★★★★ — jkimbyun, Oct. 2026** > It was a pleasure working with Matt. He was patient, polite and took time to explain things that I didn't understand. His responses were timely; and he was available whenever I needed his help during the entire construction phase of the project. His surveyor, engineer, arborist and his recommended contractor were all reliable. I was also impressed at the speed in which our designs were approved by the city, and getting permits were easy. Matt knows the codes so well, it made the process painless. And when there were issues with the city, he stepped in and was able to resolve them for us right away. He also did an amazing job integrating the house design onto my unusual shaped lot with many challenges, to make most of the space while keeping with the neighborhood's feel, and making it aesthetically appealing. If I were to build another custom home, I would work with Matt again. **★★★★★ — Eric, July 2025** > We had a great experience working with Matt Kohler and his team on the design of our new home. From the start, Matt took the time to understand our goals and how we envisioned living in the space. His design was very thoughtful – he has a great sense of proportion, flow, and natural light, and made sure every part of the house served a purpose and fit our lifestyle. > > Matt’s communication style also stood out – always calm, patient, and clear. He took the time to explain his thinking and walk us through options, which helped us feel confident in our decisions and built real trust throughout the process. > > He was incredibly reliable, following up on every detail we discussed and coordinating smoothly with various engineers and the city. His knowledge of local requirements and ability to manage all the moving parts made the process feel much more manageable. > > And it wasn’t just Matt. His whole team was professional and a pleasure to work with. We would highly recommend them. **★★★★★ — Ping Guo, July 2025** > I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kohler Architects, Inc on two new construction projects, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the experience. They are not only talented and professional but also incredibly easy to work with. From concept through construction, they consistently delivered thoughtful, well-resolved design solutions that balanced creativity with functionality. > > One of their standout strengths is their meticulous attention to detail. Their plans are exceptionally clear, comprehensive, and easy for contractors to follow, which helps streamline construction and reduce costly errors or delays on site. > > In addition, they are extremely knowledgeable about local building codes and permitting processes. Their designs are always in line with the latest regulations and thoughtfully navigate common zoning or code-related challenges. This level of code fluency has helped avoid unnecessary review round trips with the city, ultimately saving time and frustration during permitting. > > They’re also highly responsive and consistently available, making for a seamless and collaborative workflow. They listen, adapt, and bring a positive, solution-oriented approach to every phase of the project. > > I look forward to working with them again and highly recommend them to anyone seeking an architect who is not only talented and detail-driven, but also a true partner in the process. **★★★★★ — Kielty Arborist services, Feb. 2025** > I’ve worked with Kohler Architects, Inc. for over a decade, and they’re easily one of the best firms in Palo Alto. We’ve completed countless projects together, from designing beautiful custom homes to preserving the area’s urban tree canopy. > > Their team is fantastic—creative, knowledgeable, and always professional. They have a knack for balancing thoughtful design with practical considerations, making sure every project not only looks amazing but works seamlessly for the homeowner and the environment. > > I really appreciate their consistent attention to detail and their collaborative approach. Working with them is always a smooth process, and the results speak for themselves. I’d absolutely recommend Kohler Architects to anyone looking for top-notch residential design in the Bay Area. **★★★★★ — Jerry Chow, Dec. 2024** > Thank you Kohler Architects for designing our beautiful home in Palo Alto! > They did a amazing job from start to finish, with taking into account all our wish list requirements. I like how they worked very collaborative with us, always hearing our feedback and questions, and then making it work in the plan. > I would recommend them to any of my friends! **★★★★★ — Joy, July 2024** > Matt Kohler designed our house and helped us obtain permits timely from a really difficult city. Matt patiently listened to our needs and incorporated them into his design while keeping practicality in mind. We are deeply impressed by his professionalism, hard work, and thoughtfulness in design. He's simply the best! **★★★★★ — Samir Mittal, Feb. 2024** > We have worked with Matt for over 3 years. We engaged Matt for a tear down and rebuild project of our home in Palo Alto, CA. We wanted our new house to blend into the Eichler neighborhood, while being contemporary in design. We decided to work with Matt due to their reputation, reasonable cost structure, value oriented service model, and use of top quality consultants in the design process. We were not disappointed in our expectations. Matt started to work on our project in June 2023, completed the designs in top notch detail by November 2023, with city submission in December 2023. The city of Palo Alto is strict in enforcing their unique building codes - so we concerned on the approval timelines and delays. Matt and the team were able to get the final city approval in February 2024, so start of project to city approval took about 8 months or so. Matt is truly amazing and we would strongly recommend him with zero reservations. **★★★★★ — Fay Y, Jan. 2024** > It has been an amazing experience working with Matt on our new construction. Matt is very knowledgeable and he's super familiar with the city requirements. He's always responsive with our various questions, and patiently explains to us the pros and cons of each option to help us make informed decisions. Matt is able to think from owner's perspective, pay attention to details, and put ingenuity into the designs. Our interior designer and GC also speak highly of the work Matt has done for us. I would recommend Kohler to any of my friends who wants to build a high-quality house in the area. **★★★★★ — John Zheng, Nov. 2023** > Kohler Architects designed my new home project a few years ago. I was extremely pleased with the results. They are very experienced in navigating the complex permit approval process, and guided us through from start to finish. I like how the design process seemed to be a nice collaboration of ideas with the homeowner and architect. I would highly recommend them to anyone. **★★★★★ — Michelle Lam, Aug. 2023** > We are thrilled to share our utmost appreciation for the exceptional work carried out by the architect team comprising Matt Kohler, Jeff Kuo, and Uli Dueregger. Their unwavering dedication and expertise have once again left us astounded as they brilliantly aided in the design of our new home. This marks our second collaboration with this remarkable trio, and their consistently outstanding performance has only deepened our admiration. > > Matt, Jeff, and Uli's collective efforts have led to the creation of a space that truly resonates with our vision and aspirations. Their innovative ideas, attention to detail, and collaborative spirit have made this entire design journey an absolute pleasure. We are genuinely excited about the prospect of further collaborations, as we are confident that with this team, each project will be an inspiring masterpiece. > > We would go with them again, and would recommend highly. Matt Kohler, Jeff Kuo, and Uli Dueregger have exceeded our expectations at every turn, and we eagerly look forward to more successful collaborations with them in the future. **★★★★★ — N Vats, April 2023** > Matt Kohler and his team took care of us very well. > We were absolute novices, with a young family, without any experience in building a house. They took time with us, helped us consider various options and worked with us to get the best house design possible. The thing that we were most apprehensive about-getting through the maze of city regulations and inspections- was accomplished with minimal hassle. > They have been responsive and helpful during the building process as well. They are very well integrated with the real-estate community in Palo Alto, and have helped out whenever we have asked. > We would go with them again, and would recommend highly. > Neera and Saurabh Vats **★★★★★ — Janet Luo, March 2023** > We are very happy with Matthew and team! Matthew is very responsive and great at following through. They don’t market their services like many others but their great work bring them lots of businesses by word of mouth . Both my sister and I worked with Matthew and we are impressed with Matthew as he is very trustworthy and patient and customer oriented. **★★★★★ — Steven Y, March 2023** > We chose Matt and Roger to design our dream house, and it turned out to be a wise decision. Throughout the process, they were very responsive and always treated our issues as if it were their own. They were very good at active listening to understand our needs and concerns and would come up with proper solutions with their experiences. We were impressed by their ability to strike a balance between meeting clients’ needs and following the city’s compliances, which saved us a lot of time and hassle. They managed the project timeline well and were cost-conscious, so there were no surprises. It’s our first project and we felt a bit uneasy at the beginning, but the Kohler team really gave us a pleasant experience. We couldn’t ask for more. **★★★★★ — Andy Poggio, Feb. 2023** > Working with Matt Kohler at Kohler Architects has been a pleasure. Matt's experience in how to solve architectural challenges, meet building codes, and navigate the Palo Alto process has been invaluable. Coupling that with his flexibility and willingness to use our ideas when appropriate has enabled us to get an ideal architectural result. Matt and Kohler architects have my highest recommendation. **★★★★★ — Cindy WU, Feb. 2023** > Matt and team have been great to work with! We absolutely love the design of our new home. All the brilliant ideas and great design have come to light. The project wouldn't have gone through smoothly without his professionalism and expertise. The new home design in Palo Alto was totally new to us initially, but thanks to his rich experience in the area, he guided us through each step with great patience. Matt is super responsive and reliable, and he responds to our emails and questions promptly (even late night). I would highly recommend Kohler to anyone who is planning to build a new house in Palo Alto! **★★★★★ — HU-115358180, Jan. 2023** > Matt designed our new house and helped us successfully get our permits recently. > He is always willing to hear our needs, meanwhile also brings in brilliant ideas. He always has prompt response, gives us updates for every milestone in the project in a timely manner. As the architect who knows the Palo Alto City so well, he is clear about details of the code requirements which makes the permit application process smooth and fast. We really enjoyed working with Matt , and will strongly recommend Kohler Architects to our friends in the future. **★★★★★ — Xin Liu, April 2022** > The Kohler team worked with us on our new home construction project and did a fantastic job. I was impressed with there level of experience which really helped speed along getting the permits. I appreciated all the time they took to answer questions and accommodate our design requests. We worked directly with Matt who I would highly recommend. **★★★★★ — Shirley Chen, April 2022** > The design was wonderful and included things that I didn't know I needed. Very experienced and worked well with the city planning office. **★★★★★ — ha nguyen, April 2022** > Team of Roger and Matthew (Father and Son) had been great with our project to build a new house a few years ago. > Matthew was our main contact and he was very responsive with lots of clever ideas. In addition, Matt was very attentive to details and an excellent communicator. The project was well prepared, went very well and was within our timeline. **★★★★ — vivian\_y2000, Feb. 2013** > good design; however, quite pricy. There were a few mistakes by architect that cost us additional money. But overall we are satisfied. **★★★★ — Simone Klass, Jan. 2013** > Overall our experience with Kohler Associates was very pleasant. We did a major remodel in our house including a familyroom addition, bathroom, and kitchen update. Roger is very knowledgeable of the Palo Alto City's requirements and this helped speed up the permit process. Roger and his staff are extremely professional. Not only they delivered on time, but they were also open for questions. I wished only that they would be more involved with the details during construction, especially with the interior design. ## Selected projects - [Palo Alto Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-modern-pj-vj~6901451) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: Custom new modern style home in Palo Alto - [Mountain View Modern Craftsman](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-view-modern-craftsman-pj-vj~6901444) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 2 - Description: Custom New Home in Mountain View - [Palo Alto Modern Farmhouse 4](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-modern-farmhouse-4-pj-vj~7737539) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 12 - Description: Custom new home in Palo Alto - [Palo Alto Modern 6](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-modern-6-pj-vj~7648184) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 47 - Description: New modern single story home with basement - [Palo Alto Soho](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-soho-pj-vj~6962060) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 6 - [Palo Alto Transitional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-transitional-pj-vj~6901449) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 17 - Description: Custom new home project in Palo Alto - [Palo Alto Modern Farmhouse 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-modern-farmhouse-2-pj-vj~6901455) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 1 - [Palo Alto Modern 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-modern-2-pj-vj~7222601) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: Custom new modern home in Palo Alto with Tesla Solar Roof - [Palo Alto Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-contemporary-pj-vj~7064089) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 23 - Description: Custom new home in Palo Alto with Basement. Can see the concept design and then the finished product - [Mountain View Modern Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-view-modern-farmhouse-pj-vj~7648194) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 2 - [Mountain View Craftsman](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-view-craftsman-pj-vj~6901410) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 36 - Description: Custom New Home in Mountain View - [Palo Alto Modern Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-modern-farmhouse-pj-vj~6901441) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 1 - [Palo Alto Farmhouse Rendering](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-farmhouse-rendering-pj-vj~7030073) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 1 - [Palo Alto Transitional 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-transitional-2-pj-vj~7140626) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 8 - [Palo Alto Modern Farmhouse Rendering](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-modern-farmhouse-rendering-pj-vj~6902212) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 1 - [Palo Alto Contemporary 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-contemporary-2-pj-vj~7452257) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: Custom single story contemporary new home in Palo Alto with detached ADU - [Mountain View Transitional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-view-transitional-pj-vj~7166028) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 1 - [Palo Alto Spanish Rendering](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-spanish-rendering-pj-vj~6902216) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 1 - [Menlo Park Rustic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/menlo-park-rustic-pj-vj~6901476) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 40 - Description: Custom new home in Menlo Park with Basement - [Custom Wine House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-wine-house-pj-vj~39705) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: One of kind Wine House! [See all 53 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kohler-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1736457940) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/840963148.m3u8?s=863377934f21e678d9a30b822fe62b350394e067&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Do you handle permitting, zoning, and regulatory approvals?** We offer comprehensive architectural services, and our project management expertise includes navigating permitting, zoning, and regulatory approvals to ensure a smooth process for your project. We aim to make the journey as seamless as possible for you. **What types of projects do you specialize in (custom homes, remodels, additions)?** We specialize in custom residential projects, including new home construction, custom homes, and home additions. Our expertise ensures your vision for your dream home, whether new or an expansion, is brought to life with precision and creativity. **Do you provide full-service architectural services through construction?** Yes, we offer full-service architectural services. Our 'Project Management' service, listed on our Houzz profile, indicates our involvement extends through the construction phase, ensuring your project is executed according to our designs and your vision. **Do you design fully custom homes?** Absolutely! We specialize in designing fully custom homes. Our goal is to create architecture that truly reflects your unique vision and goals, ensuring the home of your dreams is brought to life with bespoke design tailored just for you. **Do you have experience with luxury or high-end homes?** Yes, we have extensive experience with high-end and luxury custom residential projects. As one of the leading firms in the Peninsula, specializing in custom homes since 1980, our portfolio reflects our expertise in delivering sophisticated and dream-worthy residences. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-07.*