--- title: "Design Discoveries — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/design-discoveries-pfvwus-pf~92367977 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~92367977.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Design Discoveries" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/cf13eecb0d263ed2_9216-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Los Altos, California 94022, United States" latitude: 37.3814 longitude: -122.1258 phone: "(650) 996-3489" website: http://www.DDandarch.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 30 best_of_houzz_awards: 8 followers: 304 last_updated: 2026-08-27 --- # Design Discoveries Original Houzz profile: [Design Discoveries](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/design-discoveries-pfvwus-pf~92367977) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Los Altos, CA - **Serves:** Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Redwood City, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, San Carlos, Los Altos Hills, West Menlo Park - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (30 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2015–2026), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves "As a seasoned Residential Building Designer specializing in custom homes and remodels across the San Francisco Peninsula, specifically Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park, I deliver exceptional design solutions with meticulous attention to detail. My practice is built upon a foundation of quality and comprehensive service, ensuring a seamless experience from conception to completion. I prioritize a collaborative approach, working closely with clients to translate their unique visions into functional and aesthetically refined living spaces. Through clear and consistent communication, I strive to achieve complete client satisfaction. My process encompasses the entire project lifecycle, from initial consultation and design development to construction documentation and final walkthrough. Leveraging extensive industry experience and a deep understanding of local building codes and regulations, I efficiently navigate the permitting process. I maintain a commitment to staying abreast of contemporary design trends and advanced construction methodologies, guaranteeing that each project embodies both enduring quality and contemporary relevance. My dedication lies in crafting homes that reflect individual client aspirations and elevate their residential experience. Client trust and satisfaction are paramount, and I am committed to exceeding expectations through superior design and professional service." ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Kitchen Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Bathroom Design - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Project Management - Basement Remodeling - Attic Conversion - Basement Design ### Areas Served - Sunnyvale - Santa Clara - Redwood City - Mountain View - Palo Alto - Menlo Park - Los Altos - San Carlos - Los Altos Hills - West Menlo Park ### Typical Job Cost $75,000 - 3 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Design Discoveries | | Address | Los Altos, California 94022, United States | | Phone | (650) 996-3489 | | Website | http://www.DDandarch.com | | Followers on Houzz | 304 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Design Discoveries](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/design-discoveries-pfvwus-pf~92367977) - **Website:** http://www.DDandarch.com - **Phone:** (650) 996-3489 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2015–2026), for Service, Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 30 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Megan deSimone, Nov. 2025** > We cannot recommend Chris more highly. We worked with Chris on 2 separate projects over 4 years. We greatly appreciate Chris' attention to detail and willingness to offer ideas and suggestions for us to consider. He treats these projects not just as his business, but that he truly cares about his client's happiness with how it comes out. Chris understands city dynamics to ensure permitting happens smoothly and timely, which is critical to have that knowledgeable resource during the process. If we ever want to take on another remodel/addition project anytime soon, no doubt we'd be reaching out to Chris! **★★★★★ — Galina Rogozinsky, Nov. 2025** > We worked with Chris on our new home construction design and very happy with an outcome. Chris is a very knowledgeable and professional, he produced a great home design plan, he considered our needs and also gave some really helpful suggestions. Would highly recommend Chris. **★★★★★ — Linda Loomis, Feb. 2021** > You have ideas - He will turn them into a reality beyond your expectations! > > We knew what we needed, but had no idea how to achieve them. He gave us all that we asked for and more. We now have an instant WOW response when visitors come through the front door. The construction workers that did the original framing and then saw the finished product - "WOW even better than I imagined." > > ONE CAN'T ASK FOR BETTER > > Raised the floors to one level, added amazing skylights, took out walls to open up the space. **★★★★★ — Soo Kim, Nov. 2020** > Chris Anderson helped us design a new custom home in Los Altos and we had a great experience. He listened to our needs and provided extensive design ideas. There were different elements that my husband and I wanted which were challenging to incorporate but Chris was creative and delivered a beautiful design. One of the things I really appreciated about Chris was his use of a digital platform that allowed us to view photos as well as a 3D model that helped us envision what the home would look like every time changes were made. This instant and simultaneous feedback helped move the process forward more quickly and efficiently. We are really looking forward to seeing our design come to life and I have no doubt Chris will see it through completion. I would highly recommend Chris for any residential design project! **Comment from Design Discoveries:** > Thank you Soo it was a pleasure to work with you and your husband on this amazing project. **★★★★★ — Sandy Sargis, Sept. 2019** > We had a great experience with Chris. He was very professional and easy to work with. He provided a lot of great design ideas which really enhanced our comprehensive remodel. We asked a lot of him in terms of making our dark, ranch-style home bright and airy and he really delivered by opening up the kitchen to the living room and using strategically placed skylights. He worked closely with our contractor to ensure the architectural details were followed closely and checked in regularly at the site to oversee the work. We highly recommend Chris for his creativity, professionalism, and high quality standards! **★★★★★ — Katherine Lyon, Aug. 2019** > We hired Chris (Design Discoveries) to create and execute design plans for an extensive home renovation in Los Altos. Chris was exceptional at listening to our needs and interests and he implemented all of the elements we were hoping for into our plans. He was instrumental in getting our plans through the city approval process efficiently. He delivered on time or ahead of schedule without exception. He followed the progress of our home through completion to ensure the highest standards were met. He is professional and genuinely pleasant to work with. We would welcome the opportunity to work with him again. **★★★★★ — Jill K, Aug. 2019** > Chris came highly recommended to me by my designer, Celeste Randolph, who had worked with Chris for years. He came in and assessed my remodeling wishes then got to work coming up with options for us. We settled on a plan then he worked up the official architectural plans and 3D renderings that we were able to use for bidding out to contractors and also for city permits. Chris has a calm demeanor which was helpful in the stressful remodeling process. And a keen eye for design and attention to detail. We are very happy with the final results and I definitely recommend him! **★★★★★ — Sandra Berry, May 2019** > We are very happy with the results of the design work provided by Chris. We remodeled a section of our home and did an addition, which included a bedroom, full bath, 1/2 bath, mudroom, laundry room & hall. The new space is beautiful, functional and precisely designed for exceptional use of space. We feel that Chris was a good listener and did a wonderful job of keeping the new space looking as though it had been designed as part of the original home. **★★★★★ — STEVE RUTLEDGE, Jan. 2019** > Chris worked with us and designed a beautiful addition to our home. This addition is now complete and we are living in the upgraded house, and renting out the secondary (granny) unit Chris designed for us in the back. > > At the beginning of the project, we had an idea of what we wanted, but after receiving advice, considering options, and weighing costs, we actually changed our direction a time or two before we finalized and moved forward. Chris advised us throughout, was flexible when we adjusted out thinking, and creating a beautiful design for the addition that we are happy with. > > Throughout the building of the project, Chris would stop in and inspect the work, ensure it was implemented as designed, and confirmed the outcome look and function was as expected. When I had questions or issues with the builder, Chris acted as a trusted consultant and advisor. > > I am glad we hired Design Discoveries and would work with them again. **★★★★★ — Leslie H, Jan. 2019** > We hired Chris multiple times over a few years when doing staged significant remodeling of an older home. Chris did the architectural design for our new kitchen, living/dining room area, front porch redesign, kids bedrooms, and completely new garage design. As we kept doing each area, we kept coming back to Chris to make the most of each space redesign. Our project was challenging, to take a home originally built in 1930 and keep true to the historical design and yet make it modern, more stylish, and the space much more functional for today's family, and he accomplished this beautifully. We receive complements on Chris's design in our home all the time. His designs are also practical with a good eye to functionality. All work done on time, on budget as predicted, and Chris worked really well with our designer and contractor. Highly recommend Chris's work and will definitely hire him again. **★★★★★ — GR Marsh, Sept. 2017** > Chris designed a detached solid-roof patio cover for us and we were very pleased with the results. The finished product blended in extremely well with the existing house. Chris was professional, easy to work with, and promptly returned all phone calls. **★★★★★ — Beth Menden, May 2017** > Chris Anderson was so wonderful to work with! He was efficient and paid attention to details. He was very quick in getting back to us with changes. We have referred many of our friends to Chris and they have been very happy as well. I would definitely hire Chris again! **Comment from Design Discoveries:** > Thank you Beth for your wonderful review. It was a real pleasure working you guys on your home and I appreciate all the referrals you have given me. ## Selected projects - [Austin Ave](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/austin-ave-pj-vj~7158285) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [A REAL SLEEPER](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-real-sleeper-pj-vj~6605548) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 26 - [Del Centro Modern Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/del-centro-modern-farmhouse-pj-vj~6093175) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 2 - [Fremont Traditional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fremont-traditional-pj-vj~97924) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 5 - [Menlo Park Modern Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/menlo-park-modern-ranch-pj-vj~9118) - Location: Menlo park, CA - Photos: 24 - [Mtn. View Overhaul](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mtn-view-overhaul-pj-vj~8447) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Saratoga Ranch Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/saratoga-ranch-remodel-pj-vj~8484) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [3D Renderings](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/3d-renderings-pj-vj~2218797) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Echo1 - Los Altos](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/echo1-los-altos-pj-vj~8483) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 11 - [The Estate - Los Altos](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-estate-los-altos-pj-vj~1574098) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 10 - [Berry Avenue Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/berry-avenue-remodel-pj-vj~13740) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Forest Avenue](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/forest-avenue-pj-vj~11580) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - [Twelve Acres - Los Altos](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/twelve-acres-los-altos-pj-vj~1084794) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Parma Project - Los Altos CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/parma-project-los-altos-ca-pj-vj~450523) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: This was to begin as a remodel of an existing home but by the time we looked at all the changes we decided to just tear down the existing home and start from scratch. The clients came to me wanted a more traditional home with the feeling of an east coast look rather than the more traditional ranch style home. This is primarily a single story home with a bonus room, a bathroom and a lot of storage on the second floor still looking like a single story from the street. - [Los Altos Craftsman Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-altos-craftsman-remodel-pj-vj~315464) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Los Altos Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-altos-contemporary-pj-vj~264509) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Los Altos Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-altos-residence-pj-vj~8476) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 4 - [Palo Alto Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-arbor-pj-vj~261151) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Los Altos Hills Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-altos-hills-remodel-pj-vj~260851) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/design-discoveries-pfvwus-pf~92367977) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-27.*