--- title: "Baran Studio Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/baran-studio-architecture-pfvwus-pf~436364210 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~436364210.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Baran Studio Architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/be4320a40056d28c_3674-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "5353 Claremont Ave. #2A, Oakland, California 94618, United States" latitude: 37.8431 longitude: -122.2402 phone: "(510) 595-6744" website: http://www.baranstudio.com rating: 5 review_count: 10 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 480 last_updated: 2026-09-01 --- # Baran Studio Architecture Original Houzz profile: [Baran Studio Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/baran-studio-architecture-pfvwus-pf~436364210) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Oakland, CA - **Serves:** Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, Richmond, Daly City, San Leandro, Napa, Pleasanton, Alameda, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Ashland, Albany, Orinda, Moraga, Emeryville, El Sobrante, Piedmont, Sonoma, Tiburon, North Richmond, Rollingwood, East Richmond Heights, Canyon - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (10 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2014–2020), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 50,000 Ideabook Saves - Award winning - Published nationally - 10 years in business The Studio: Baran Studio is a diverse group of collaborators, coming from various backgrounds and disciplines. As in our work product and methodology, we remain open to new ideas, which allows us flexibility when maneuvering in a constantly shifting urban environment. We value diversity in all of its forms, as it provides us with multiple perspectives on any given problem. The studio works as a brain-trust where problems are solved creatively and collectively. To this end, we value our people, as people are where great ideas originate. We limit hierarchy and encourage dissent so we can all learn and grow. We encourage ownership of ideas, and look forward to improving them. Candor is valued as a resource, and critique is seen as a constructive way to create the best possible architecture. Matthew Baran: Matt Baran founded Baran Studio Architecture in 2010. Prior to that, he had spent 15 years working for various architecture practices, simultaneously developing concepts for architectural robots that shifted their form and location to adapt to various contexts. This work led him to UC Berkeley in 2008 to complete a master’s thesis on adaptable robotic architecture. Upon graduation, he taught at UC Berkeley and the Academy of Art. He also worked on the construction of a dwelling that employed the adaptive theories he had been exploring academically. These efforts were the beginning of Baran Studio. Currently, Matt continues his efforts, working closely with staff and clients to further explore the architecture that is closely adapted to its context. This means designing a project through extensive analysis and research into deeper contexts that include the physical and psychological environment, history, culture, socialized beliefs, collective mindsets and notions of beauty, systems of erasure, and material qualities in addition to architectural typology. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Space Planning - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Multigenerational Homes - Home Restoration - Modular Home Additions - Custom Home - Remodeling ### Areas Served - Los Angeles - San Francisco - Sacramento - Oakland - Hayward - Berkeley - Richmond - Daly City - San Leandro - Napa - Pleasanton - Alameda - San Pablo - El Cerrito - Lafayette - Ashland - Albany - Orinda - Moraga - Emeryville - El Sobrante - Piedmont - Sonoma - Tiburon - North Richmond - Rollingwood - East Richmond Heights - Canyon ### Typical Job Cost $5,000 - 500,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Baran Studio Architecture | | Address | 5353 Claremont Ave. \#2A, Oakland, California 94618, United States | | Phone | (510) 595-6744 | | Website | http://www.baranstudio.com | | License Number | C28926 | | Followers on Houzz | 480 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/baranstudioarchitecture/ - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/mattbaran - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbarchitect - Blog — www.baranstudio.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Baran Studio Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/baran-studio-architecture-pfvwus-pf~436364210) - **Website:** http://www.baranstudio.com - **Phone:** (510) 595-6744 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - California Architects BoardLEED Accredited - AIA East Bay Design Award (2013, 2015 & 2017) - PCBC Gold Nugget Awards (Multi Family 2018 & Unique Residential 2018) - Architizer A+ 2016 - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2014–2020), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 10 reviews** ### All 10 reviews **★★★★★ — Michael Lissner, Nov. 2019** > We just finished a huge project with Baran to build two big houses in Oakland. They designed the houses, did the filings with the city, and then did construction management for the project. They were amazing partners. > > We had no idea what we were doing going into this, and Baran was one of the first calls we made. They came out to the lot with us took a look, did some sketches, and honestly, the rest was history. > > Construction is a tough business. It's complicated and information disparities are everywhere. As a homeowner you know very little and you need people you can trust. You can trust Baran to do a wonderful job and to take ownership of the project. > > I don't know how to express this any better, so I'll be blunt. Baran is great, we love them, we recommend them constantly, and you should call them for your project. Earlier the better. If you're just \*thinking\* about building a house or doing a remodel, give them a call. They'll be happy to talk. **Comment from Baran Studio Architecture:** > Thanks Michael for your great words. It was a pleasure working with you and your project, both houses, turned out beautifully. Thank you. **★★★★★ — fboyd, March 2015** > This review is overdue. Our small development company has worked with Matt Baran and Baran Studio on dozens of projects over the years including remodels, new construction of both single family homes and large, multi-unit development projects (and everything in between). Matt and his team are consistently knowledgeable, helpful and reliable. Their work is insightful and inspiring yet they also offer practical construction experience and perspective. Matt is an artist and a visionary and is delightful to collaborate with. He truly deserves his excellent reputation among builders, City planning and building staff and those who live in and otherwise enjoy the spaces he designs. Highly recommend. **★★★★★ — Heather Raney, April 2013** > I'm not sure any other architect has had a greater influence on residential style in Oakland since Julia Morgan. Matt is a true talent...and only getting better. I've worked with him on a number of projects - most recently 2322 Humboldt Avenue, 2727 Bellaire Place and 994 59th Street in Oakland. In all cases, he was able to help bring a modern flow and feel to a century old home. **Comment from Baran Studio Architecture:** > Hi Heather! > > Thank you so much for your thoughts. You are a pleasure to work with as well! **★★★★★ — JDW Enterprises, Inc., April 2013** > We recently hired baranstudio to design a new ground up house. We really liked the work they had done on a friend's project - the natural lighting and well dimensioned rooms in particular. After our initial meeting, we gave them broad discretion to design the house to our objectives. They managed the application process through the City and were very responsive to plan check comments. Baranstudio has a good feel for constructability, and saved us substantial money by foreseeing challenges with the heating and cooling of the house and finding an efficient solution. They are passionate about design, and truly care about their finished work product...exactly what I look for in members of our project team. **Comment from Baran Studio Architecture:** > Thank you so much for your kind words. We make an effort to balance our clients needs, design, and code constraints. **★★★★★ — Mark Leverette, April 2013** > Baran Studio designed my new bathroom in a home over 100 years old. They were able to locate space in two adjoining closets; only the keen eye from their team could have figured this as the perfect space. They located door openings and alternative closet solutions, produced plans and got me approved with the city. I was very impressed and love the new Bathroom! **Comment from Baran Studio Architecture:** > Hi Mark! > > Thanks for your review. We are glad you are happy with our design! **★★★★★ — Bitzer Banker, April 2013** > Our company has been working with Matt Baran and baranstudio for over 3 years and he has done a fantastic job of designing all of our residential and commercial projects. He's intelligent, creative and makes sure to maintain the timeless design qualities that keep his work relevant beyond its initial conception. In addition to quality drawings, his office always delivers in a timely manner with comprehensive documents. From architecture, interiors, and landscape to the management of city approvals and construction, I recommend baranstudio very highly. **Comment from Baran Studio Architecture:** > Thank you so much for your review! We have greatly enjoyed working with your company. **★★★★★ — neilljs, April 2013** > Baran studio has done an outstanding job on my home. Starting with Matt's professionalism to his expertise, he has been an absolute joy to work with. His innovative and sleek design has transformed my home from lackluster to a beautiful masterpiece in San Francisco. His ability to cater to my taste as well as suggest new creative design elements has made me love my home more than I ever thought possible. **Comment from Baran Studio Architecture:** > Thank you so much for your review. We do our best to understand our client's needs and to balance all aspects of a project. **★★★★★ — Matthew Novak, March 2013** > Matt is a very talented architect. He is very quick to come up with solutions and has a great design sense. I have worked with him on many of my development projects, from modern ground up developments to Victorian remodels. I am now using him for own home. He is very professional and a great guy. I've referred him to many friends. **Comment from Baran Studio Architecture:** > Matthew, > > Thank you so much for your review. We appreciate working with you and the referrals! **★★★★★ — Visual Jill Inc., March 2013** > I am an interior decorator, and I have had the pleasure of furnishing two houses designed by Matt Baran. These homes are gorgeous, featuring beautiful use of natural wood and huge windows. Matt and his team have the ability to make modern design feel accessible and warm. He makes the most of natural light and finds ways to bring a sense of nature in, through his material choices and his configuration of garden spaces in relation to the house. We had so much fun decorating his projects because they were already works of art. **★★★★★ — calebinman, March 2013** > We have worked with Baran Studio on five new construction homes and many rehabs/remodels. He is a professional in every way - creative, easy to communicate with, honest, knowledgeable, responsive and quick. What I have been most impressed with over the years, is his ability to design and build to each site's / client's needs without ever subjugating the art of the design. **Comment from Baran Studio Architecture:** > Thank you for the nice words and the review, Cal! ## Selected projects - [High Road](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/high-road-pj-vj~5912008) - Location: Sonoma, CA - Photos: 27 - Description: The challenge was to create an architecture of cohesion and continuity. Further, the project was to maintain as much of the existing structure as possible, while maximizing the transformation. This created inherent conflicts as the original structure presented a disjointed form that had been built and/or modified over time as a matter of experience. The parts did not work together to allow the project to read as a whole. The architectural intervention then became an effort to intervene only wher… - [Camelia](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/camelia-pj-vj~5912221) - Location: Walnut Creek, CA - Photos: 13 - [Buena Vista](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/buena-vista-pj-vj~5911821) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 21 - Description: This home and integrated accessory dwelling unit were designed to specifically take advantage of unusual site conditions. The boundaries of the site are incongruous – no two edges are parallel, which created an opportunity to align to boundaries and create dynamic, yet functional spaces. The resultant folds are reflected in the external form and the interior space. The downslope lot afforded unobstructed panoramic views from the large open rooms though multi-slide doors and windows, and from the… - [Stuart st. ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stuart-st-adu-pj-vj~5943538) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 16 - [Magnolia](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/magnolia-pj-vj~5912169) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 20 - Description: The residential adaptive reuse project inserts a new single-family home into a historic structure originally established as a Firehouse in the 1920’s. Utilized as a Firehouse until the 1960’s, when modern fire engines no longer would fit within the building, the structure found interim use as a neighborhood church while much of the original historic character suffered the effects of neglect. The restoration focuses first on the exterior condition, repairing the dark iron-spot face brick at the b… - [Raymond st](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/raymond-st-pj-vj~5947976) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 23 - Description: Mini-Lot subdivision, 2 units, 2-story - [\[b\]Lobby](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/blobby-pj-vj~5584693) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: The owner requested that Baran Studio transform their ordinary lobby into something more dynamic. We began with an analysis of movement through space and sought to imbue the horizontal surfaces with the qualities of that motion. The momentum of the form was to connect the lobby to the exterior, allowing it to double as an entry marker. The design was therefore continuous from inside to out. The project also had a tight budget, so the economy was essential. Plywood was an inexpensive and readily… - [Helen St. ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/helen-st-adu-pj-vj~5943529) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 11 - [Buena Vista ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/buena-vista-adu-pj-vj~5943545) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 8 - [43rd St.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/43rd-st-pj-vj~5911911) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 16 - [Haskell St.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/haskell-st-pj-vj~5955331) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 17 - Description: The project is a Residential Infill project with new construction of 3, two-story Single Family Residences. The new front unit has direct access to the street, the two buildings in the middle and rear of the lot can be accessed by a shared driveway. To accommodate parking, each house is designed with their own garage. Each residence also have their own private backyard, and the windows are strategically placed to capture the maximum amount of natural lighting while maintaining privacy. - [Addison ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/addison-adu-pj-vj~5943551) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 7 - [Julia Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/julia-street-pj-vj~1488702) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [16th and Willow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/16th-and-willow-pj-vj~1476238) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 11 - [Bordertown](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bordertown-pj-vj~86373) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 24 - Description: The design for this cluster of houses was derived from its use and context. The form, space, and material connect to the industrial and improvisational aspects of the area, which consists of converted warehouses containing local start-ups and artist’s studios, turn of the Century housing stock that served the early west coast rail lines, the 580 freeway, and an ad-hoc skate park (from which the project derives its name). The residential and industrial functions are intended to be reflected in th… - [M House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/m-house-pj-vj~860519) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Wood Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wood-street-pj-vj~2596795) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [62nd Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/62nd-street-pj-vj~146415) - Location: Oakland, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: The house takes advantage of the land by spreading out and integrating into the landscape. Indoor and outdoor areas flow into one another, creating a singular and continuous space. Linkages between spaces are created through an adaptive wood element. Sustainable qualities are integrated into structure and materiality. - [Valley Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/valley-street-pj-vj~855245) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 9 - [Manchester](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/manchester-pj-vj~948277) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: Our Manchester project in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, California is now on the market. Originally an outdated single-story ranch home, we remodeled the first floor and added a second floor. We also redesigned the rear, front, and roof decks. Below you can see a before and after exterior shot, as well as some selected images from the listing. For the full set of photos and more information go to http://www.5932manchester.com/. [See all 42 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/baran-studio-architecture-pfvwus-pf~436364210) ## Ideabooks - [Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70480194/list/bathrooms) — 15 ideas - [1008 Wood Street](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/69767472/list/1008-wood-street) — 14 ideas - [W16 Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33550355/list/w16-kitchen) — 11 ideas - [H Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21132282/list/h-kitchen) — 9 ideas - [Kitchen Color and Material](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/9478589/list/kitchen-color-and-material) — 22 ideas - [Hybrid Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/9596654/list/hybrid-kitchen) — 15 ideas - [Light Fixtures](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33550932/list/light-fixtures) — 2 ideas - [eclectic interiors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20848977/list/eclectic-interiors) — 15 ideas - [Persian Modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17333374/list/persian-modern) — 12 ideas - [Living Space](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/9479356/list/living-space) — 2 ideas - [Bath Forms, Color and Material](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4523159/list/bath-forms-color-and-material) — 8 ideas - [Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4644990/list/stairs) — 3 ideas - [Landscape Materials](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14443202/list/landscape-materials) — 11 ideas - [Landscape: Ground Plane](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/9852495/list/landscape-ground-plane) — 28 ideas - [Landscape: Fire, Water and Green](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4993871/list/landscape-fire-water-and-green) — 16 ideas - [wood](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/11517446/list/wood) — 17 ideas - [Exterior Color and Material](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5545561/list/exterior-color-and-material) — 25 ideas [See all 17 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/x10architecture) ## Community Q&A **Q: Width** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi, could you please tell me the width of this backyard? Thank you A: It's approximately 15' **Q: Where can I find the vanity?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Ikea! **Q: Width of stairs? Thanks:)** *(in Photo Questions)* A: 3'6" **Q: White Handrail** *(in Photo Questions)* Hello, could you please let me know where you purchase the handrail and advise me of the details regarding the material, size and finish. Thank you very much. A: This is just a round wood handrail from Home Depot painted white. Should be 1.5" **Q: Galvanized Steel** *(in Photo Questions)* Does the heat reflected off the galvanized fence effect the growth of plants? A: To my knowledge the plants are doing well. The area is very temperate. **Q: What kind of blue tile is that in shower?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Those are Penny Tiles. Found online, maybe Overstock. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-01.*