--- title: "Frank / Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/frank-architects-pfvwus-pf~2046902186 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~2046902186.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Frank / Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/7303327b040636de_3406-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "P. O. Box 5005, Berkeley, California 94705-0005, United States" latitude: 37.8571 longitude: -122.25 phone: "(510) 595-9000" website: http://frankarch.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 5 followers: 107 last_updated: 2026-08-17 --- # Frank / Architects Original Houzz profile: [Frank / Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/frank-architects-pfvwus-pf~2046902186) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Berkeley, CA - **Serves:** San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Napa, Alameda, Martinez, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Albany, Orinda, Pinole, Emeryville, Piedmont, The Sea Ranch, Sonoma, North Richmond, Marin County - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Frank/Architects was founded in 1993 by Tomas Frank in Berkeley, California. In addition to our work in the greater Bay Area, Frank/Architects has done projects throughout California, in the Czech Republic, and on the East Coast, alone or in cooperation with other architectural firms. We carefully think through the building systems of each project, especially the structure of the building. We take pleasure in addressing the technical challenges posed by older structures, and in developing effective ways to help them better serve the evolving needs of our clients. We were one of the first users of SIPs (structural insulated panels) in sustainable residential design. We consider the site and cultural context of each project and maintain its relationship to the landscape or the urban fabric. We do make our projects well designed, yet practical, trying to minimize the sticker shock so many clients encounter these days. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - Energy-Efficient Homes - 3D Rendering - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Space Planning - Historic Building Conservation - Handicap-Accessible Design - Attic Conversion - Staircase Design - Deck Design - Home Gym Design & Construction ### Areas Served - San Francisco - Oakland - Berkeley - Napa - Alameda - Martinez - El Cerrito - Lafayette - Albany - Orinda - Pinole - Emeryville - Piedmont - The Sea Ranch - Sonoma - North Richmond - Marin County ### Typical Job Cost $200,000 - 5 million We charge approximately 12% of the construction cost for our fees. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Frank / Architects | | Address | P. O. Box 5005, Berkeley, California 94705-0005, United States | | Phone | (510) 595-9000 | | Website | http://frankarch.com/ | | License Number | California C-12447 | | Followers on Houzz | 107 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/frankarchitects1 - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/frankarchitects - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomashek/ - Blog — www.frankarch.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Frank / Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/frank-architects-pfvwus-pf~2046902186) - **Website:** http://frankarch.com/ - **Phone:** (510) 595-9000 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Sunset Award - AIA National Award - AIA East Bay Chapter Award - Featured in "150 Best Cottage and Cabin Ideas" **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews** ### All 5 reviews **★★★★★ — David Hillmer, June 2017** > I have worked on a number of projects with Tomas Frank, and his projects are always a great experience. Tomas brings a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to a project, and his feel for Sea Ranch architecture is outstanding. Tomas has a pleasant and level headed approach to any problem, which is a welcome trait from a contractor's perspective. I look forward to the next project! **★★★★★ — PETER SOLDAT ARCHITECTURE, May 2016** > I have known Tomas personally for over fifteen years and we have been professionally involved on numerous occasions. He has an excellent success rate over the years on a variety of projects requiring a detailed technical knowledge and a thorough understanding of complicated construction processes. I have a great appreciation for his talent; value his integrity and the way he works on projects. His approach leads to practical yet creative solutions with the client’s best interests in mind. **Comment from Frank / Architects:** > Thank you Peter for your review. It was a pleasure working with you. **★★★★★ — Gregory Moore, May 2016** > Tomas designed and oversaw construction of my house at Sea Ranch. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Tomas is smart, precise, insightful, incisive, sensitive, and deeply creative. He's also just plain easy and fun to work with. **Comment from Frank / Architects:** > Thank you Greg for your kind words. You are my favorite client and it was pleasure to work with you. **★★★★★ — User, April 2016** > I have worked with Tomas in the past and he is an excellent architect who also has a well founded understand of the structural requirements for a building and an understanding of how best to configure a building for the site condition and the needs and wishes of the client. **Comment from Frank / Architects:** > Thank you Steven for your note it was a pleasure working with you. **★★★★★ — Thomas Timar, April 2016** > My wife and I wanted to tear down a three-car carport and replace it with a three-car garage with a studio apartment above it. We hired Frank/Architects to design the new studio/garage. We could not have been more pleased with the results. The aesthetics and functionality came together beautifully. The firm was easy to work with--engaged with us and continued to work with us and the contractor from start to finish. We couldn't recommend the firm more highly. **Comment from Frank / Architects:** > Thank you Tom for your kind words, I am glad it is working out for you. ## Selected projects - [Sea Ranch Waters Edge Lot 1](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-waters-edge-lot-1-pj-vj~2444465) - Location: Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank, Frank/Architects.. Interiors by KOZO designs and Gayle Forster. General Contractor: J.Schmidt Construction, Inc. - [Sea Ranch Waters Edge Lot 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-waters-edge-lot-2-pj-vj~7119247) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank, Frank/Architects. Interiors by KOZO designs. General Contractor: J.Schmidt Construction, Inc. - [Sea Ranch Waters Edge Lot 3](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-waters-edge-lot-3-pj-vj~7119253) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank, Frank/Architects. Interiors by KOZO designs. General Contractor: J.Schmidt Construction, Inc. - [Sea Ranch Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-cabin-pj-vj~15876) - Location: The Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank, Richard Whitaker and Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA The Cabin inhabits a draw in the redwood forest at The Sea Ranch. Approached from the road below, a path winds through trees up the side of an incline to where the house steps in two directions up the slope. From a porch, which glimpses a view up the center of the draw alongside the house. Stairs ascend inside along the wall towards great panes of glass , which frame a view of massive trunks rhythmically pacing in clusters up towa… - [Bluff House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bluff-house-pj-vj~1484882) - Location: The Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: Poised high up on the cliffs at the North end of Black Point Beach, Horizon Reach is a new ocean front residence designed by late Barry Elbasani, FAIA. Tomas Frank took over the project including design of the interiors after Barry's passing. Flanked by a newly replanted hedgerow on the southern side, an unobstructed meadow view to the North, and a newly replanted cypress grove at the front, the site affords the user quiet solitude. The layout of the bedrooms and the main room – whose open floor… - [Sea Ranch Studios](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-studios-pj-vj~1524545) - Location: The Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank, Frank/Architects. The owners, both accomplished artists, wanted to add two small studios to their house so they could work at The Sea Ranch whenever possible. The studios include a small etching press on the ground floor and another studio on the second floor. The second floor studio will also serve as an occasional guest bedroom. The addition is positioned higher on the lot and nested against the edge of the forest. It is aligned with the 20-foot setback and neighbor's… - [Sea Ranch Observatory](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-observatory-pj-vj~1524564) - Location: The Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank in association with Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA the space is small and simple, sited above the existing house with good outlook to the ocean. The building is a work space to pursue various interests, including buildings models and the use of the upper level for astronomical studies. Although it is a small building it yet has a variety of pleasant outlooks. In its position slightly down from the peak of a little landform, the house is approached by a path up the slope ending in a… - [Sea Ranch Meadow House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-meadow-house-pj-vj~1650550) - Location: The Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: The Sea Ranch house designed for a musician as a permanent residence by Tomas Frank in collaboration with Donlyn Lyndon, F.A.I.A. The spirit that informed the earliest buildings at The Sea Ranch imbues this studio/house: it fits to its place in the landscape, works with the forces of the site, shapes places away from the wind, captures changing light though the day, and creates places inside and outside that are lofty, expansive, and close. Meticulously built, the house brings you near its timbe… - [Sea Ranch Addition 1](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-addition-1-pj-vj~1870170) - Location: The Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: The addition to the modest cottage designed by Tomas Frank in collaboration with Donlyn Lyndon FAIA, includes garage, workshop, office, bedroom and bathroom positioned on the flat area between the road and massive redwood grove. The new deck provides the connection between two buildings and exposure to eastern and southern sun. The corner windows of the new bedroom suite takes advantage of the view into the grove of redwoods. The dominant roof slope of the addition follows the existing house. Th… - [Sea Ranch Addition 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-addition-2-pj-vj~1870172) - Location: Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank in association with Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA - [Sea Ranch Addition 3](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-addition-3-pj-vj~665766) - Location: The Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 3 - Description: Owner of the original house, designed by Lyndon/Buchanan Architects needed an addition to provide her with an office space to be able to work while staying at the Sea Ranch. The addition is made up of two pieces: Studio space fronting the ocean on the west and the picturesque rock outcropping to the southwest, and a new garage pointing toward the stream and its band of myrtles. The link between the two creates an extension to a fenced orchard and on the south side creates an interior court entry… - [Sea Ranch Addition 4](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-addition-4-pj-vj~1870176) - Location: Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank in association with Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA - [Sea Ranch Addition 5](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-addition-5-pj-vj~7118828) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank in association with Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA - [Sea Ranch S.I.P. House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sea-ranch-s-i-p-house-pj-vj~1650898) - Location: The Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: The project is a collaborated effort of Tomas Frank with Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA, . Since 1963, The Sea Ranch has been characterized by its profound consciousness for nature. The architecture vernacular blends man-made structure into the landscape. The owners wanted a design that continues that tradition while incorporating modern technological advances The house is a pioneer in introducing new building system in the Sea Ranch. The structural Insulated Panels replacing the conventional wood frame co… - [Fire damaged house addition and remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fire-damaged-house-addition-and-remodel-pj-vj~2747153) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank, Frank/architcts. The house was partially damaged in the Berkeley Oakland Hills fire. The Owner used ithe nsurance money to remodel the house and add the secondary unit placed in the new tower. - [Napa Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/napa-studio-pj-vj~36619) - Location: Napa, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Designed by Tomas Frank, Frank/Architects. The clients wanted a space above a new three-car garage that could function as a painting studio. We designed an open space studio that can also function as a secondary unit. The space is sited into the hill on the property, where their former carport was. The large north-facing windows provide ideal light for painting. We used sustainable materials and design measures throughout: exposed plywood joists, stained plywood ceiling, cork flooring, cementiti… - [Sonoma house](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sonoma-house-pj-vj~665790) - Location: Calistoga, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: Located in a rural retreat deep in the hills of Northern Sonoma County, this residence is sited on a small knoll that provides sweeping views of Knight’s Valley and Mount St. Helena in the distance. This small house was designed by Tomas Frank in collaboration with William Turnbull while being a partner at FGS Architects. - [Glen Ellen House Addition and Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/glen-ellen-house-addition-and-remodel-pj-vj~7858570) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - [San Jose House Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-jose-house-addition-pj-vj~7858569) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/frank-architects-pfvwus-pf~2046902186) ## Community Q&A **Q: Is the wood western red cedar smooth or rough and is it stain?** *(in Photo Questions)* Thanks for the previous answer. My last question is approx how wide is the window frame? It's difficult to tell if windows are very narrow or a few inches wide. Beautifully designed! Thanks very much! A: The windows are standard Milgard aluminum windows and sliding doors about 2" wide. The wood is California Redwood and it is kept natural, no stain. Thanks for the compliment. Tomas. **Q: Are these windows trimmed in black or is the black the window itself?** *(in Photo Questions)* Trying to do something similar but can't figure out how to do the windows. I need to go with vinyl or fiberglass but it's all either too thick or too thin. i think i could go with a thin window and add trim. So frustrated. I clearly don't do windows. Help appreciated. A: They are dark bronze anodize windows, no trim. Tomas Frank, architect of this house. **Q: Spectacular cabin in such a special setting...is the siding redwood?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Yes it is Grade B Redwood 1x6 siding. **Q: what is the tile on the floor? color?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: It is green/gray Heath tile fro Sausalito, CA --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-17.*