--- title: "Kerstin Hellmann Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kerstin-hellmann-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1990478728 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1990478728.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Kerstin Hellmann Architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/1ef31a6608a902a5_9052-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "953 W MacArthur Blvd Ste 1, Oakland, California 94608-3939, United States" latitude: 37.8365 longitude: -122.2804 phone: "(510) 706-4527" website: http://hellmannarchitecure.com rating: 5 review_count: 7 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 14 last_updated: 2026-08-29 --- # Kerstin Hellmann Architecture Original Houzz profile: [Kerstin Hellmann Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kerstin-hellmann-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1990478728) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Oakland, CA - **Serves:** SF Bay Area - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2020–2025), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Industry Research - Barometer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves My focus as an architect is on space and light. I enjoy working with clients as creative partners to develop a vision for each project based on how spaces will be used and lived in. Together we focus on practical function and space efficient design with a sensitivity to the surrounding natural environment and urban structures. This open collaborative dialogue greatly supports the success of our work together and each home becomes a tangible expression of the people who inhabit it. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Home Remodeling - Custom Homes - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Space Planning - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - All Electrical and Net Zero Homes ### Areas Served - SF Bay Area ### Typical Job Cost $300,000 - 3 million $300,000 - 3 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Kerstin Hellmann Architecture | | Address | 953 W MacArthur Blvd Ste 1, Oakland, California 94608-3939, United States | | Phone | (510) 706-4527 | | Website | http://hellmannarchitecure.com | | License Number | C-32426 | | Followers on Houzz | 14 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Kerstin-Hellmann-Architecture-104944786270430/ - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksharch/ - Blog — hellmannarchitecture.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Kerstin Hellmann Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kerstin-hellmann-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1990478728) - **Website:** http://hellmannarchitecure.com - **Phone:** (510) 706-4527 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2020–2025), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 7 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 7 reviews **★★★★★ — Lela Bachrach, Jan. 2024** > We feel so lucky that we got to work with Kerstin Hellmann on our remodel that we had been dreaming about for many years. We were grateful that she opted to take on our project even though it was a busy time for her. She managed to beautifully transform our project in a way that exceeded our expectations. We have been very impressed by her creativity and imagination. She is a good listener and communicator, highly collaborative, and accommodating. She was excited about our project, enjoyed the process, and really cared for its success. Kerstin is a very thoughtful person who is organized and pays great attention to detail. She and our contractor worked very well together. Her billing is transparent and fair. > > She is environmentally conscious and encouraged us to go all electric. She helped us meet our goals with sustainability in mind. She cares about social justice and has volunteered on projects to support youth facing homelessness such as the Tiny House Youth Village project. She also teaches architecture part time. > > It has been a real pleasure working with Kerstin. Our home is transformed into a wonderful, functional, light filled space. Kerstin is an amazing architect and a wonderful person. We give her our highest recommendation and have already referred a number of friends and family members to work with her. **★★★★★ — deb mackim, March 2023** > Kerstin is an expert in residential design from start to finish and I felt lucky she had space to work with me on my project. (All the good architects are always booked!) She has years of experience and knows how to navigate coordination with engineers, contractors and the planning and building departments with expertise which is very necessary in the Bay Area if you want to get your permit as soon as possible. I can verify this was consistent with our experience at a very delayed reality during Covid. I had my permit while my neighbors who didn’t work with her were still waiting for their permit even though we submitted months later then them! Her taste level and attention to detail is fantastic. But most of all she is a wonderful listener, collaborator and always has your best interest at heart. **★★★★★ — phsoffer, July 2022** > Kerstin led us through a significant remodel and addition to our home. All told, we have spent over three years with Kerstin on this project and I don't think there's been a single moment in all of that time where we were not happy to be working with her. Now that the project is done, I will miss working with her! How and why? > > Kerstin is remarkably skillful and knowledgeable as an architect, and I believe that her work speaks for itself. But what has always impressed me most about her is how well she manages us -- and I mean this in the most positive possible way. My wife and I had different levels of engagement with the projects and different levels of stamina for the thousands of decisions that go into building a house. In the early days, Kerstin won our trust, such that my wife could disengage, as long as I agreed "to listen to Kerstin" if she thought my ideas were bad. > > And indeed, I concocted a lot of ideas, many of them probably pretty bad. But Kerstin always managed to guide us back onto a good path, and communicated so well that it always felt like an easy collaboration with a talented person, rather than an egotistical person working her will. > > She is particularly good at talking about how the space will be used. We are not fancy people, and we wanted a house that reflects our sensibilities and the needs of our boisterous family. She listened and got to know us well, and I believe the results will suit our family beautifully over the next 25 years. > > Thank you Kerstin, and finally there is plenty of room in the kitchen so you guys have an open invitation for dinner! **★★★★★ — Building Evolution, Jan. 2020** > Prior to becoming a Building Inspector, I worked as a general contractor. One of a couple projects I worked with Kerstin on, was an ADU conversion in Oakland, see the attached photo. Kerstin's professionalism with clients, design sense, and code knowledge are exceptional. Kerstin made herself available to answer my questions within a very reasonable time frame. In my opinion, the clients for whom with we worked, in part thanks to Kerstin, felt supported and heard throughout the building process, project planning all the way through to project completion. I have and continue to recommend Kerstin's architectural services to others. **★★★★★ — Nancy K, Sept. 2019** > We recommend Kerstin completely. Her design for our kitchen remodel is beautiful and she was very helpful throughout the process, answering all questions and providing advice when needed. We will use her again. **★★★★★ — ELIZABETH WEISS, March 2018** > Kerstin was a dream to work with throughout the process of designing and building a beautiful little light-filled guesthouse for me. She has a quiet intelligence and is an excellent listener and collaborator, working to fulfill my vision and also offering her own excellent ideas. She was readily available by text and email. Her plans were thoroughly thought out and meticulously detailed, and at the city Design Review Board meeting the reviewer said they were the best he had ever seen. > > Most importantly I am completely in love with the results, which exceeded expectations. Most highly recommended! **★★★★★ — Cass Morris Color and Design, Dec. 2017** > As a professional color consultant I worked with Kerstin on several projects. I was impressed with her expertise and her way of interacting with clients. She's very easy to work with, attentive, organized, and makes sure things run smoothly. I highly recommend her and hope to work with her again. **Comment from Kerstin Hellmann Architecture:** > Cass, I'm so pleased to be working with you again. Thank you for sharing your expertise with the seemingly endless spectrum of colors. You make it manageable and fun. ## Selected projects - [MLK Way](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mlk-way-pj-vj~7222881) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 19 - Description: This space-conscious renovation added a partial third floor to the home, giving the teenage twins of the family their own bedrooms and providing a family room with a window wall onto a balcony perch with breathtaking views of the Berkeley hills. Photos: Open Homes Photography Inc. via Alward Construction Photo Editing: Bénédicte Lassalle Photography & Box Brownie - [The Hive](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-hive-pj-vj~6804579) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: The Hive This remodel transforms three small, crowded rooms into an expansive, open kitchen connecting directly onto a new backyard deck. The new deck addresses a previous basement flooding problem and brings together the upper and lower floors with a floating “crow’s nest” balcony. Stairs and seating create a smooth transition from the elevated deck down into the yard, where the new owners setup their own bee hives. - [Neilson Triplex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/neilson-triplex-pj-vj~7841289) - Location: Albany, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: In 1964, the owners of this property took a pivotal step by purchasing the Neilson Street triplex, marking their first investment. A strong family commitment to providing affordable rental housing has continued over the years. Over time, the property faced several challenges, which this extensive remodel addresses. This courtyard complex represents a long-standing commitment to affordable rental housing. Designed as an all-electric project, it eliminates on-site fossil fuels and aligns affordabi… - [Ashbury](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ashbury-pj-vj~7222876) - Location: El Cerrito, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: A collaborative project with an architect friend of mine who has since changed careers, this remodel maximizes the use of small spaces and works precisely with the natural light. Photo credit ©Benedicte Lassalle - [Nallie's Nest](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nallie-s-nest-pj-vj~6682140) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: Featured on the AIA East Bay's Home Tour \| Shelter 2021: https://aiaeb.org/home-tours-i-shelter/ NALLIE'S NEST Gina & Rohan converted an existing shed into a home for Rohan’s mother to live while spending time with her children’s growing families. The shed was non-conforming in size, location & foundations, but lovely in its setting & worth preserving. Special permitting allowed extending the height for habitable space & required preserving the original property line wall & roof while pouring ne… - [Pomona](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pomona-pj-vj~7437476) - Location: El Cerrito, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: Part of a multi-phase remodeling project, Pomona is a new addition that creates a spa-like master bathroom for its fully work-from-home owners, and incorporates a new laundry room, separate toilet room, and direct access to the outdoors. In reconfiguring the original master bedroom, the old bathroom was transformed into a second closet. The clients had a very clear vision and were very involved in the choice of materials, which informed the design of the spaces. The floor and wall tile was chose… - [Urban Rooftop](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-rooftop-pj-vj~2330598) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 30 - Description: American Institute of Architects Home Tour, San Francisco Chronicle: “...this home is a union of traditional and modern... The most exciting part to me spatially is the transition between existing and new... It’s unapologetic between the kitchen, which is now modern, next to a very traditional dining room with full woodwork.” Diablo Magazine: “After living in their 1,225-square-foot home for two decades, the owners needed room for a growing family, and they wanted a rooftop perch to capture view… - [Room without walls](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/room-without-walls-pj-vj~2333861) - Location: Larkspur, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: The kitchen, once a feature of the enclosed interior, the kitchen was moved to the rear of the house and opened up to the backyard. With a flourish of light and space, floor to ceiling windows and doors create a seamless connection with the outdoors. Minimalist steel handrails and terracing, along with a deck, bench and stairs, create an “outdoor room” for year-round use. Photos by Kerstin Hellmann - [Albany Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/albany-modern-pj-vj~2333848) - Location: Albany, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: Shifting the front door to the center of this home transformed the flow of its interior spaces. A new entry welcomes guests into this very introverted house. The interior the large living room for entertaining and simultaneously offers residents easy access to other sections of the house. The previously separate kitchen and dining areas were connected, and the addition of large windows and glass doors now bathes the entire area in natural light, allowing a smooth transition to a rear deck and ga… - [Alameda](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/alameda-pj-vj~2967089) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: This project is a reconfiguration of the entry approach, where a beautiful live oak tree had lifted stairs and landings. The new guardrails are composed of a system of substantial, contemporary steel and wood railings supported by low perimeter walls. This design complements the visual weight of the house, integrating the Edwardian style of the home with the contemporary taste of the owners. The garage was rebuilt to carry the rooftop deck and received a new façade. Photos by Langdon Clay [See all 10 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kerstin-hellmann-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1990478728) ## Ideabooks - [Urban Rooftop Article](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/139056266/list/urban-rooftop-article) — 2 ideas [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kerstinhellmannarchitecture) ## Community Q&A **Q: Kitchen** *(in Photo Questions)* The windows in this kitchen are wonderful. It gives it so much light and brings the outdoors in. Great work. A: Thank you. **Q: what kind of wood is on the floor of the bedroom?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you, that is very kind of you. I'm uploading more projects over the next few weeks. Please stay tuned. : ) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-29.*