--- title: "John Maniscalco Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/john-maniscalco-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1862364112 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1862364112.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "John Maniscalco Architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/d0e33a330917656e_4483-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "442 Grove Street, San Francisco, California 94102, United States" latitude: 37.7813 longitude: -122.4167 phone: "(415) 864-9900" website: http://www.m-architecture.com rating: 4.7 review_count: 3 best_of_houzz_awards: 8 followers: 2578 last_updated: 2026-08-28 --- # John Maniscalco Architecture Original Houzz profile: [John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/john-maniscalco-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1862364112) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Serves:** San Francisco, Napa, Tahoe, Mill Valley, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Tiburon, Sausalito, Belvedere, Muir Beach, Belvedere Tiburon, United States - **Houzz rating:** 4.7 out of 5 (3 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2012–2021), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - 1,000,000 Ideabook Saves John Maniscalco Architecture produces work based on two principles - create liveable, modern spaces and engaging clients in the design process. Our approach takes the particular needs, desires, and personality of each client and utilizes them to create a unique architectural solution. jmA's projects extend across the San Francisco Bay Area, North Bay, South Bay, Napa, Healdsburg, Sonoma, and the Tahoe region. Through all residences there is a sensitivity to physical context, function, technology, and economics, jmA creates architecture that is innovative, honest, and well-crafted with a focus on the fundamental elements of architecture - materiality, light, space, and clarity of design from concept to detailing. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions ### Areas Served - San Francisco - Napa - Tahoe - Mill Valley - Healdsburg - Sonoma - Tiburon - Sausalito - Belvedere - Muir Beach - Belvedere Tiburon - United States ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | John Maniscalco Architecture | | Address | 442 Grove Street, San Francisco, California 94102, United States | | Phone | (415) 864-9900 | | Website | http://www.m-architecture.com | | Followers on Houzz | 2578 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/john-maniscalco-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1862364112) - **Website:** http://www.m-architecture.com - **Phone:** (415) 864-9900 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2012–2021), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5 — 3 reviews** ### All 3 reviews **★★★★ — open198, June 2015** > The execution of the reveal is subtle and fantastic. Brings out a good simple shadow line details. The transition from the wall to the window frame was highly distinguished. Good job **★★★★★ — ljasminek, Sept. 2013** > John has developed a practice well known for adroitly solving tricky problems. He is the go to person for clean, modern, intellectual but liveable modern dwellings. He was brought in to resolve some issues that the existing architect could not resolve: 1) with City Planning; 2) neighbors; 3) creating one graceful entrance from merging two duplex unit into one family dwelling. > > His plans and client management talents not only resolved the issues, he was game to go along for the topsy turvy ride of selling the house AND the plans. The house has now been built and it will be shown during the AIA 2013 tour! > > We hope to work with him at our new house. **★★★★★ — janetfcohen, Nov. 2012** > We are copying a kitchen of his featured in Houzz and he has been very helpful in advising us via email. ## Selected projects - [Dry Creek \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dry-creek-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~2493487) - Location: Healdsburg, CA - Photos: 20 - [Martis Camp Residence 1 \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/martis-camp-residence-1-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~2493700) - Location: Truckee, CA - Photos: 53 - [Tank Hill Residence \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tank-hill-residence-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~2494174) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 19 - [Martis Camp Residence 2 \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/martis-camp-residence-2-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~2494191) - Location: Truckee, CA - Photos: 25 - [Martis Camp Residence 3 \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/martis-camp-residence-3-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~2494202) - Location: Truckee, CA - Photos: 30 - [Butterfly House \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/butterfly-house-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~1695269) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 23 - Description: In this complete rebuild of a mid-century modern home, the design flows from an analysis of the varied site conditions already present and reinforces key relationships to the site while establishing new ones. From a relocated street level entry, a careful sequence follows the slope and curates the vertical movement through the home from earthbound experience to the open sky and panoramic views. Each level takes on a different purpose - first, establishing new ties to the street, then anchoring f… - [Silverado \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/silverado-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~1707244) - Location: Napa, CA - Photos: 25 - Description: Nestled into the hillside above the Silverado Trail, this custom home stretches across its site in a linear form that maps the path of the sun across the functions of daily life. Optimizing on world-class views over the valley floor and vineyards of the Napa Valley from every room, the home is characterized by seamless indoor-outdoor experiences and perfectly framed views of the dramatic natural siting. Utilizing clean forms linked by trellised shading systems, the elements of the home are broke… - [Sugar Bowl Residence \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sugar-bowl-residence-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~8023) - Location: Truckee, CA - Photos: 22 - Description: The design of this new home in the old village at Sugarbowl is entirely a product of its dramatic environment. Perched on a concrete plinth that lifts the house above the tall winter snow-pack, a solid, cedar-clad volume houses sleeping areas, boot room, and service spaces. Above, a variety of living spaces, each enjoying mountain views, are gathered under a simple, bent planar roof form. The exaggerated geometry of the openings frame views of horizontal snow drifts and vertical stands of pine t… - [Spruce](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spruce-pj-vj~2749520) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 24 - [Taylor Street \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/taylor-street-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~1695309) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 20 - Description: Perched on the 17th floor of a high rise tower on the top of Russian Hill, the redesigned condominium is meant to invoke the feeling of floating above the city and water through a controlled use of material, view, and light. In order to maximize sight-lines and the experience of the changing light beyond, the spaces are divided through the use of a grounded series of minimal wood paneled objects, each with a unique function. While spatial connectivity was essential, the ability to transform the… - [Russian Hill \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/russian-hill-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~12219) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 38 - Description: This new four-story home establishes an understated but dignified urban presence on an atypically wide San Francisco site. A transitional two-story glass-walled entry hall draws users to an airy and open living level. An increasingly light stair element transitions from floor to floor ultimately arriving at a roof deck enjoying panoramic views. - [Cumberland Street \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cumberland-street-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~1695287) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 19 - Description: This 3900 s.f. single-family Dolores Heights home is situated upon a unique lot on an upper cul-de-sac with stairs down to Noe Street below. While the existing facade is to remain unchanged to maintain its historical context, this whole-house remodel includes a contemporary rear horizontal addition and master-suite vertical addition (1100 s.f. in total), allowing for increased light penetration and expanded views to Sutro Tower to the west. The new south-facing primary living space connects dire… - [19th Street \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/19th-street-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~1695250) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: Working in harmony with the existing structure's shallow footprint, this complete remodel in San Francisco's hilly Eureka Valley district resulted in a unique home with a fluid vertical structure. The new sculptural, origami-like stair connects space while also drawing and reflecting light at each level. A compact footprint means each part of the house must be flexible enough to adapt to varied use. Screening, sliding and pivoting elements were employed to allow for spaces to transform while sti… - [25th Street \| John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/25th-street-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~1622698) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 21 - Description: This single family residence on a long and narrow up-sloping lot presents the common challenges on a light-starved San Francisco lot. An open plan, with spaces defined by sculptural objects, allows light from a reshaped south-facing yard to penetrate deep into the plan which brings the outdoors into the home. A sky lit steel-wrapped stair brings a sculptural verticality and connectedness to the home. Retractable doors at a spacious pent-room maximize city views and provide further indoor-outdoor… - [Cube House - John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cube-house-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~10426) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 19 - Description: The “Cube House” project transforms a dilapidated 1895 Victorian with a historically protected façade, abnormally long building footprint, and zero lot-line configuration into a light-filled home for a family of four. The introduction of a two-story atrium (which is open to the sky) brings the exterior into the very center of the urban dwelling becoming the spatial organizing gesture, allowing all areas of the house to partake of the light, air, and landscape (both earth and sky) that this prote… - [Larkin Street Residence - John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/larkin-street-residence-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~10113) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 31 - Description: A modern remake of a Russian Hill classic. - [Cole Valley Hillside - John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cole-valley-hillside-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~9857) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 30 - Description: Tucked into a hillside site at the end of a cul-de-sac, this transformation of a 1930’s Deco house in San Francisco’s Cole Valley addresses a number of complicated site conditions. Roof forms vary to address views to the east and north and combine with well-placed skylights to allow sunlight into all areas of the house despite its hillside setting. A central stair core carved into the hill draws visitors to living spaces placed on the top floor to maximize access to light and views. - [Hill Street Residence - John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hill-street-residence-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~9262) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 29 - Description: On a steeply sloping site in Dolores Heights, this complete rebuild transforms a small 1970's house into an airy modern home with seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. Contrasting systems of vertical movement and expansive horizontal views provide a variety of spatial relationships to the site and the city - from the intimate to the distant, from urban expanse to private garden. A sky-lit two-story interior stair hall with bamboo garden blurs the house-landscape relationship and provides further… - [Pacific Avenue - John Maniscalco Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pacific-avenue-john-maniscalco-architecture-pj-vj~8039) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: A complete rebuild of a mid-century modern home on the Presidio wall, this project combines spatial openness, a consistent use of materials, and reconfiguration of the ground plane to bring light deep into this home and frame views of the park beyond. A sculptural steel and limestone stair serves as a spatially dynamic centerpiece for the home. A retracting glass wall, minimalist water feature, and dramatic roof deck complete the indoor-outdoor experience at the heart of this home. [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/john-maniscalco-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1862364112) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-28.*