arketype architects inc

David and his team helped my sister rebuild her house which was lost due to the Thomas Fire in Ventura. The home building process can already be a stressful experience, add another layer of complications with dealing with anything Thomas Fire (delays with permit, insurance, Covid-19, new requirements, etc.) There were so many unknowns and the only thing that we can count on for sure was David and his team's support. David especially was understanding of our need to balance budget and executing on the design that he and my sister collaborated on. He was available on numerous calls with the insurance company and our adjuster, providing the numerous documentation requested by the insurance company. With every challenge, David provided the calm and reassurance that everything will work out. His Project Manager Suky Ho is top notch. Prior to this build, I did not understand the role of the project manager. Now I do and I'm glad that she was our Project Manager. She was there to work with the sub-contractors, doing the detail work such as reviewing/doing the inventory of materials, ensuring that everything is accounted for. We love how the house turned out. We are especially grateful that David incorporated eco-friendly, sustainable features into both interior and exteriors of the house. We highly recommend David and his team.

Our family had never built anything from the ground up before. We had lots of grand ideas but barely knew where to begin. We discovered arketype by searching on Houzz for a "green"-friendly, experienced architect firm with a modern vibe, an understanding of local permitting challenges, a willingness to work within our strict budget, a commitment to our vision of sustainable building, the creative eye needed to tackle design challenges unique to our site, and a sensitivity toward the historic character of our neighborhood. Arketype listened carefully to our ideas, stayed within budget, stood by our side when we faced local political and permitting hurdles, and delivered a project that not only has been celebrated in local media but is a home that's pure bliss to live in. We wouldn't change a thing.

We chose Arketype and David Ferrin to design our home renovation and addition after we had seen his work on a friend’s house. David was able to maintain some of the charm of our mid-century bungalow, using its original elements (like the carport) to guide the design of the second story steel, glass and wood features. We love color and David took it up a notch: the combination of the stark steel and glass with bright blues and greens is beautiful. On the interior, we think David designed one of the most beautiful staircases ever, with reclaimed 1950s wood from the walls taken down as part of the renovation. The butcher-block design (executed by David Furst of Furst Woodworks) is striking and, because it is such old wood, it is very warm to the feet. After the design, we also chose David to manage the construction project. The Arketype team (David and John Fenske) kept subcontractors on time and ensured their work met or exceeded standards. It isn’t always easy, but they worked smoothly with another contractor we hired independently, Kitchen Places in Ventura. We have heard horror stories about renovations but it just didn’t happen to us. Can’s say enough good things about our experience and the end result.

David Ferrin of Arketype Architects worked with me to further develop and refine the concept I had for building my studio. His sensibilities and attention to the detail elevated the architecture to another level. Both clients and friends are impressed by the simplicity of the exterior and open concept of the interior which both add a major 'wow' factor to our property.

I was introduced to David Ferrin through his work. I admired a stunning contemporary home on a view site in Pacific Palisades, where I work in residential real estate sales. I encountered the owner walking his dog and asked about the architect. He was delighted with the design and follow-through. I was happy to learn that David works out of an office in Ventura, where I own a property that was badly in need of an update. He was accommodating to my most insignificant questions. We discussed everything down to colors for the exterior. He had an as-built drawn up from which I can contemplate and eventually act. I can say without reservation that I would recommend him. His manner is thoughtful, pleasant. His creativity impressed me. After 40 years in residential real estate sales, and having owned several properties, he is the most professional architect I have encountered. I know he works in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and possibly Santa Barbara, as well.

David is brilliant, thorough and a pleasure to work with. We did a complete renovation of a house that had issues and added 600sqft. Lots of factors were under consideration: value, cost, style, staging, time – and David balanced those perfectly. He is perceptive and understood immediately what we were trying to achieve in function and form, and the plan and design for the house he came up with was complete and perfect – exceeded our expectation. David, through running a bidding process for us, introduced us to our contractor who was terrific and delivered the project on time and on budget. We had a great experience and have an awesome dream house, both of which we have David to thank.

I have known David Ferrin in a professional capacity for many years. He has contributed significantly to two residential projects in which I have been the homeowner. I can speak of him only in superlatives. David is a highly creative & resourceful individual who, in addition to being an artist, is also an incredibly thorough researcher who can claim expansive, up-to-date knowledge in many "sub-specialties" of home design and building such as lighting and water conditioning/purification. Furthermore, he considers the environmental impact of his recommendations and was "building green" before it became trendy. I have the utmost respect for his diligence and exceptional work ethic!! And, in addition to being a consummate professional, he happens to be one of the kindest people I know! I recommend him without reservation!

For a long time, after interviewing over a dozen, I was frustrated in my attempt to find an architect who could handle the details of a complex Wrightian/Launteresque house. This is when a contractor I was interviewing told me he knew "The most creative, detail oriented, & meticulous architect he'd ever worked with..." He was absolutely right. I've been working with him ever since (2007). Plus, he's honest, he's not arrogant, & his fees are reasonable. I couldn't recommend David Ferrin & Arketype Architects enough...they’re in a class where few reside.

Arketype Architects has been my architect for the last 11 new builds and has assisted in a number of remodels. David Ferrin the architect is professional and knowledgeable. He seems to enjoy doing out of the box designs but is great at any style of home or commercial building. He works in all areas from Santa Barbara to Santa Monica. Right now I am working on five detached condos in Port Hueneme that David designed. We are in the final stages and David has been there ever step of the way. The thing I love about David is he always takes my calls when he is available and if he is not available he get back to me asap. He does not put me off like some professionals in the construction industry for days. Also he has great office staff that in a crises helps to think through what can done until David gets back to you. Working with David Ferrin and team is a breath of fresh air. While working with David we received a design build award from the CIty of Ojai. There he designed 3 live work detached homes. If you are thinking of building give David a call.

I interviewed a number of architects and talked to a couple of references before selecting David Ferrin and Arketype Architects for my rather different project, that of building a two story home on top of an existing stone warehouse, providing three floors plus roof-deck in a tight urban setting. Before I selected him, I was impressed with his "can-do" attitude and examples of some of his thinking outside-the-box. The design work I saw was classy and much of it different. His use of materials tends towards the green but when price becomes an issue, he will demur or come up with an alternative. David is quietly spoken and his demeanor is thoughtful, low-key and confident. The project is still 12 months away from completion (I'm writing this in May 2015 ) so it isn't possible to give you final comment but to this point I have been VERY happy with his work. He is quick to effect changes and is very thorough with his plans, attention to detail (according to several other architects and planners) being well above what is normally produced. I swear this attention to detail is what allowed our plans to get through to permitting in so few hearings.