Zen Architect

Design-Build Firms

About Us

45 years experience, we provides a comprehensive architectural design service in a cost-effective, personal and responsible manner. Our method allows ease of a "ZEN-simple approach," resulting for both a clean and solid descriptive design. Our all-inclusive design services bridge beauty and holistic human needs entirely, from architectural design, landscape, to interior design and details encompassing all engineering disciplines. Complete turnkey or segregated contract services are available. We are here to help you push through your specific dreams and needs on time and budget. - TV Interview on Cutting-Edge Design Methodology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ysZXcYpIyQ - OC Home Magazine on Tranquil Effect: http://www.zenarchitect.com/press.html

Services Provided

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Architectural Design, Architectural Drawings, Barn Design & Construction, Building Design, Custom Homes, Drafting, Floor Plans, Guesthouse Design & Construction, Historic Building Conservation, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, Kitchen Design, Landscape Plans, New Home Construction, Outdoor Kitchen Construction, Outdoor Kitchen Design, Site Planning, Site Preparation, Space Planning, Tiny House Construction, Universal Design, Custom Home, Remodeling

Areas Served

Aliso Viejo, Coto De Caza, East Irvine, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, North Tustin, Orange, Portola Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Joaquin Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Silverado, Trabuco Canyon, Tustin, Trabuco Cany

Awards

Award winning licensed Architect and published designer through OC Home and Garden Magazine, OC Register and national TV documentaries for unique design approaches.Licensed Architects: Registered Under Name of "John A. Salat"Trade name; ZenArchitect.com

25 Projects

Example of a mid-sized beach style home design design in Orange County

Business Details

Business Name

Zen Architect

Phone Number

(949) 235-4847

Website

ZenArchitect.com

Address

Lake Forest, CA 92630

Typical Job Cost

$50,000 - 500 million

We tailor contracts and project budgets to suit client needs on a personal case-by-case bases. Let us take you through design concept through construction by options of either turnkey design build or owner controlled open competitive bidding to save dramatic cost. Our personal approach offers the touch from communication, right down to details of aesthetical attention to balance your budget.

License Number

C24445 California

Followers

156 Followers

Socials

Back to Navigation

Credentials

Back to Navigation

Write a Review

14 Reviews for Zen Architect

Newest first

PM Construction

Our company have hired Zen Architect on multiples projects.John is extremely professional from initial meeting with customer to final completion of project.He makes sure all details are incorporated into blueprints making plan check once submitted to the city very easy. It has been a pleasure to work with him.

July 17, 2019

Shahram Shahriyarpour

A pleasure to work with. John is kind, patient and very knowledgeable. He took his time and guided us through our project design. Highly recommended.

July 11, 2019

Jeffrey Love

Was responsive, worked very quickly, was flexible and did a great job. I highly recommend them for your residential remodel projects and construction.

July 10, 2019

Graham Church

We chose John as he was actually associated with a Contractor and having previously had a false start with a Design build company we welcomed that. From the start John was able to pick up on our ideas and translate them into a design that has now turned out to be far better than we could have expected. I wanted to wait until the remodel was complete before writing this review so I can full y appreciate the skill that John put into the design. He has made great use of the space we had and expanding our bedroom extension the way he did has made it into a second master which is now great for guests. The design complements the existing structure and the curved shower is really a feature that already has several positive comments. Thank you John for your skill and expertise with our remodel. In addition and as an added plus John was on time and on Budget

October 18, 2018

Brian Will

We wanted to convert our 3-car (doors 8-ft and 16-ft wide) garage to 2-car (dual 12-ft wide doors), to better use the interior space, and to ease the entry/exit of our Tesla vehicles. This conversion is a "major project" because it requires moving the supporting post between the doors which supports the entire weight of the front side of the garage. John's design met all required engineering and aesthetic requirements, and did so in the most cost-effective and time-saving ways. See for yourself in the photos attached.

August 12, 2018

Comment from Zen Architect:

Please feel free to call me as I just did a project in Dana Point same to yours for their Tesla. Feel free to reach me should you have any additional questions.Regards,John A. SalatOwner/Architect(949) 235-4847 https://ZenArchitect.comemail: freeingwinds@earthlink.net

Brooke Tafreshi

John Salat was a wonderful architect to work with. He was dedicated to the project, extremely knowledgable, and highly professional. He managed our design project fully from start to finish, and we obtained a superb outcome. He was also very responsive from day one, and throughout the construction phase. We would honestly highly recommend this firm, and we look forward to working with John on future projects.

September 5, 2017

cashback94

John has a Zen way of creating beautiful spaces. His advise was helpful in advancing me with my project and saving me a ton of money.

January 28, 2016

a_______2

John is very knowledgeable and experienced. He works well with clients and able to meet the deadlines and budgets. We are very happy with his service.

January 14, 2016

Zach Cole Design

If you're looking for an architect that truly understands blending design and functionality with style, John is your architect. Zen definitely defines his approach both onsite and behind the scenes in developing layouts for our clientele. We first met on a Huntington Harbour project to reface an older waterfront home and redesign a floor plan for a client. Working with John has always been a smooth process since then and we have chosen him for a few new clients' projects to enhance our design process.

October 7, 2015

grannnyhouse

John has a great attitude. He understands current codes and has good ideas for use of space and flow. He delivered the promised renderings within the agreed upon time schedule and at a reasonable price. John is a true professional who creates high quality work. I would definitely use him again for my architecture needs.

October 7, 2013

drjohngiannone

I hired John Salat to design a commercial tenant improvement in a shopping center. Design plans and execution of documents were detailed, accurate, speedy and reasonable. John Salat answered calls promptly and made numerous on site inspections. This was the second of two projects of which I had hired Zen Architect to fulfill my concept.

October 4, 2013

linhngading

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Salat over a period of about a year on a Major interior/exterior Remodel of our home in San Clemente from a low volume 1800 square foot 1970's ranch style home to a 2400 square foot contemporary high ceilinged beauty beyond our expectations. We interviewed several architects before settling on Mr. Salat. Mr. Salat is a delightfully pleasant man to work with who commands a wealth of architectural knowledge blending the practical with the aesthetic and is an excellent listener seeming to grasp what our needs were even when we had difficulty articulating precisely what we wanted . He had a good sense of working within budget, was generous with his time, and prepared us well for challenges in respect to building codes, soils, engineering, working with contractors and interior design to make the vision come true. I can recommend his architectural services without reservation.

September 29, 2013Last modified:October 2, 2013

Back to Navigation

26 Comments

Commented: Concrete color?its integral mix inside the pour of concrete

January 12, 2020

Commented: Beautiful home! Do you use custom lighting?Apperciate your enegy reaching out as our firms find it best for vendors to send us a formal email at freeingwinds@earthlink.net as we can place it in our data base -thx

July 12, 2019

Commented: Love the mailbox!Its custom field made as not available

March 9, 2016

Commented: DoorThis is a custom design door from our office as custom fabricated cheery wood

April 16, 2015

Commented: Where might one purchase this huge bell?found it at a garage sale

March 11, 2015

Commented: Window is gorgeousYes, this window was not the original spec windows as the owner swapped it out. All manufactures who use wood frames can do this profile and glass for you

January 10, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Zen Architect rated?

Zen Architect is currently rated 5 overall out of 5

What services does Zen Architect provide?

Zen Architect provides the following services: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Architectural Design, Architectural Drawings, Barn Design & Construction, Building Design, Custom Homes, Drafting, Floor Plans, Guesthouse Design & Construction, Historic Building Conservation, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, Kitchen Design, Landscape Plans, New Home Construction, Outdoor Kitchen Construction, Outdoor Kitchen Design, Site Planning, Site Preparation, Space Planning, Tiny House Construction, Universal Design, Custom Home, Remodeling

Where does Zen Architect provide services?

Zen Architect provides services in the following areas: Aliso Viejo, Coto De Caza, East Irvine, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, North Tustin, Orange, Portola Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Joaquin Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Silverado, Trabuco Canyon, Tustin, Trabuco Cany

Zen Architect