First Bay Architecture

I am a fellow architect, and have collaborated with First Bay Architecture for the past 7 or 8 years. My experience of working with Caitlin has been and continues to be pure enjoyment. As a fellow professional, I admire and enjoy her solutions to architectural problems that confront her clients. She is very much a renaissance architect in the range of her abilities. She is both author, consummate designer, politician, and construction adviser. She knows her hammer and nails as well as how to negotiate with contractors, and she seems to be right at home explaining things to public officials and has the ability to find code solutions that ultimately meet her clients needs with beautiful finished products. I have worked with her on many of her projects over the past 6 or 7 years, and she is at home with a flair pen in her hand devising beautiful solutions on paper as she is savvy in using the latest in 3d computer technology to be able to assess and document her work. It is through these means that she employs her talents as a professional and that is bringing together many tradesman to produce built shelters that she has devised for her clients. Finally, having helped her for years put together these communication documents, I have become aware of her greatest talent and that is to communicate and create consensus quite often with multiple client individuals- a feat in itself- as well as getting agreement with code and financial officials to create outstanding improvements to peoples lives.

This is the second home project that Caitlin Lempres Brostrom/First Bay Architecture, has done for us. The first, was a very extensive remodel and addition on a house in Moraga, California. We worked very well together, loved the home that we created, (as did everyone in the whole town), and we became friends through the course of the project. It was obvious she was our first call, when we needed an architect to design a home for property we purchased in the Napa Valley. This was our first time building completely from the ground up. Caitlin helped us pick our contractor, and she worked well with him, to guide us through the whole building process. She was extremely patient with all our questions and changes. She always tried hard to do her work in a timely manner and be respectful of our budget concerns. Caitlin really listened to all the features and the look we wanted in our new white farmhouse. i.e square footage of rooms, reclaimed wood trim, screened porch, antique doors and fireplace... And when needed she found resources for us, and made sure to incorporate all our desires into her drawings. Our new home is everything we wanted and more. Caitlin's knowledge, and attention to detail really makes everyone of her homes stand out. She loves what she does and it shows in her finished product. We have had non stop guests and everyone loves our Napa farmhouse! I have not attached photos, but beautiful photos of our home have already been posted on Houzz, and can be found under First Bay Architecture/ Silverado Trail, Napa. Mimi Ousman

First Bay Architecture was the company I selected for my remodeled bathroom, which was gutted and completely transformed into an elegant bathroom with wonderful cabinets, affording plenty of storage. Every detail was discussed and I felt she really listened to what I wanted, and gave me the bathroom I dreamed of, at a cost I could afford. She was always available, either by phone or in person. She worked well with the construction crew, giving concise instructions which made life easier for everyone. I also had a linen closet made into a laundry area, with cabinets, a washer and dryer. I highly recommend First Bay Architecture without reservation.

We hired Caitlin and Frist Bay Architecture to help us do a complete remodel of our Hailey Idaho home. The home needed to be completely updated and integrated with the beautiful river front property. Caitlin's creativity, professionalism and strong attention to detail was key ingredients into the creation of a wonderful home. We started with a vision and worked very closely throughout the project with Caitlin. She was responsive, open to ideas, always available ( we live in Australia and her firm is in Berkeley California) and went beyond what we would have expected from the architect. Her research on all facets including detail interior design was a major help to us. , We would use Caitlin again for any future projects.

We have completed two houses with First Bay Architecture. Both experiences were successful and rewarding. We worked with Caitlin from the start on each project developing budgets and timelines. Caitlin was very respectful of the clients needs and was able to design within their budgets and tastes. During the projects she was always available and answered any construction and design questions promptly. Caitlin is very organized and helped keep us and the project on track. Most importantly she has been a joy to be around and always comes up with great solutions. We are very pleased with the work we have done with her. The relationship between Architect, Client, and Owner has proven to be a lasting one with Caitlin involved. The whole experience from looking at an empty site and a set of plans to the final light bulb has been great. I can't wait to do another project with Caitlin.

Bought a meh bungalow with a HUGE and BEAUTIFUL 3 bridge, view of SF Bay and Mt. Tamalpais as a small, second home. Sat six months looking at "what to do". Decided professional help was in order and hired Caitlin Lempres Brostrom with First Bay Architecture. Nine months later we had a beautiful remodel she developed for us, the likes of which we could never have imagined. Floor to ceiling windows and an artful and carefully thought out additional 65 sf gave us a small home that lives big with her reconfigurations. After five years of enjoyment, we have engaged Caitlin to design a way to make this our only home and she has given us plans for a beautiful second story addition. We can't wait to get started! She is a master and a consummate professional. We have worked with other architects in the past on other homes with good results. But Caitlin designs a home for YOU, not the home she wants you to have and that is all the difference in the world. Cannot recommend her highly enough.