Catamount Design

Alex provided the design for several apartments in a building constructed in 1940. The apartments now have a modern day open feeling found in current housing of 2016. Alex provided material choices that are reasonably priced and still looks very good. People who have seen the results have been very impressed. The apartments now have all current necessities and amenities. This includes kitchens and bathrooms.

Alex designed the 2nd story of our home (sleep-in play room, extra bedroom, and a full bath). It was previously an attic with a pitched roof and the stairs were accessed by a pull down staircase in the bedroom closet. Heading into the project we had low expectations but in a short amount of time he came up with a plan that we love. If I had any questions about the value that a good architect could bring, they were answered and more. He used space very well by building in bunk beds (that our kids love), adding two large dormer windows, designing a custom sliding door, and incorporating many storage built-ins. We love the resulting angles in the rooms. We receive many compliments on his designs by our guests. We are extremely pleased with his work and will hire him for future projects.

We have commissioned two projects with Alex, and we're delighted with the results in each. Initially, Alex designed a Japanese style bathhouse for us, complete with an outdoor shower and a composting toilet. The finished bathhouse is a gem, exquisite and very functional. Alex has a wonderful aesthetic and taste and he was very responsive to our input along the way. The second project we commissioned from Alex was a Japanese gate. He did initial research and showed us many examples of gates in Japan. Together we discussed what it was that we wanted for our garden. Again, Alex listened to us and the final plans were exactly what we wanted. The finished gate is perfect for the site and and our garden.

Alex designed a major remodel for me. It was a complex project integrating two misaligned L shaped buildings with a courtyard focal point into a modern home with bay and canyon views and incorporates Japanese joinery techniques in the kitchen and dining room. The wood is gorgeous. The existing home had had four additions, none with concern for maintenance or appliance count (e.g it originally had two furnaces plus 8 wall heaters, three water heaters, etc.) The remodel included a new entrance with stairwell and elevator; relocating an in-law unit ; moving the kitchen and enlarging the living room, adding a laundry room and practice/music room as well as a studio. At least 80% of the walls were rebuilt to code. The courtyard was also redesigned and is a wonderful place to hang out and enjoy the day or to barbecue. The remodeled home is beautiful, light filled, has radiant heating using one boiler with domestic water storage and has passive solar water heating as well as three photo voltaic solar arrays. The project was done in three phases, though there is a fourth, minor phase about to start, which replaces windows in a few of the untouched walls. Having a complete plan, but being able to stop and start in specific stages as time, money and sanity allowed was important. My family has lived on site the entire time. Alex helped me replace a contractor that was failing to get the job done and knew where to find very talented wood workers. I highly recommend Alex.

I consulted several architects before deciding on Alex, and he exceeded my expectations. The scope of the work involved converting a very large "finished attic" to a master bedroom/bathroom suite and study/office (500 sq ft addition), reconfiguring existing interior staircase, and updating existing main bathroom while maintaining the character of this charming 1922 bungalow with craftsmanship details. Alex's completed detailed plans, and worked closely with structural engineer in order to minimize costs on my end. He then worked closely with City of Oakland to get the project approved, with the City of Oakland requiring ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGES to the plans. He listens, makes recommendations, and executes beautifully!

Alex Korn of Catamount Design fulfilled our plans to vertically expand the garage to accommodate a car lift, add a second floor master suite and full bath, increase the size of the dining room and re-model the complete kitchen. He successfully presented our plans to a sometimes difficult City Planning Review Board. We would not hesitate to go to Alex should we ever decide to do any other re-modeling.

We embarked on extensive remodel of the back of the house, taking off a rotten 2 story deck and enclosing the area, gaining a bathroom and closets upstairs and a breakfast nook downstairs. Where before the exit to the back was past a bathroom, after the kitchen flowed into the breakfast nook where a huge window gives a great view of the garden. (There's a powder room now closer to the front of the house.) We are very happy with the design, including how well the new wall blends with the rest of the 110 year old house on the outside. Alex has construction experience himself, so he could negotiate effectively with the contractor. He was able to explain the why of his choices so that we could understand where we needed to spend and where we could save. His own fees were reasonable. I would recommend him as a creative professional of great integrity.