Kattenburg Architects

15 Reviews

Architects

About Us

4x Best of Houzz winner

41 years in business

Published nationally

Bay Area's Distinguished Architectural Design Firm | 4x Best of Houzz

Kattenburg Architects, founded in 1981, is a Lafayette, CA firm of architectural design professionals emphasizing responsive full-service project development. The firm's principal architect, Rick Kattenburg AIA MA, has a strong background as a project architect, responsible for design development, client relations, and supervision on highly visible projects for his architect design firm. With experience in custom residential home design, commercial, and public building types, Kattenburg Architects offers a balanced design approach that respects project economics, functional use of space, and flexibility for future needs. Mr. Kattenburg's Lafayette, CA based architecture firm specializes in residential architecture for both remodel and new construction. He has designed and overseen construction on over 400 custom residential projects and numerous commercial and institutional projects. Rick Kattenburg is a “Certified Green Building Professional.” Kattenburg Architects provides building design and construction expertise for home design and remodel, office design, and commercial design.

Services Provided

3D Rendering, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Basement Remodeling, Building Design, Drafting, Earthquake Retrofitting, Energy-Efficient Homes, Floor Plans, Green Building, Guesthouse Design & Construction, Historic Building Conservation, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, House Plans, New Home Construction, Site Preparation, Space Planning, Sustainable Design, Universal Design, Custom Homes, Construction Drawings, Architectural Services, CAD Services

Areas Served

Alamo, Berkeley, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Emeryville, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Piedmont, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Waldon, Walnut Creek

Awards

2016 "Best of Houzz" Service 2014 & 2015 "Best of Houzz" Design *Certified Green Build Professional* 2009 Orinda, Ca. “Mayor’s Award For Excellence in Architecture” - Major Project Category 2004 Best Remodel Design Award, Moraga Design Review Board

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30 Projects

Orinda, CA

Credentials

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Featured Review

michelle k

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15 Reviews for Kattenburg Architects

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michelle k

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Client

We are thrilled with the outcome of our remodel/addition to our home. We added a master bedroom and needed to reconfigure adjoining spaces to keep the flow of the house. Rick was the architect on our project. He incorporated our ideas and added many of his own to make a space we are glad to come home to every day. He worked in many details that would not have been on our radar to include, but make a big difference in day to day living. His plans were very complete which made getting the permits and working with the builder very straight forward.

August 29, 2019

shirasteinbeck

Relationship

Client

Rick Kattenburg is a master of design and detail. We recently completed a large remodel and addition of our Walnut Creek Home. He spent time to listen to our needs, and delivered an incredible modern design. One thing that was also very important is the professional detail provided: Building material specification is top notch (from frmaing materials, to drywall specs, to windows, and the architectural details are original and we'll thought out. We had a mid century 1949 ranch and wanted to add on (over 400 square feet), remodel the interior including kitchen and dramatically redesign and raise our interior ceilings. Rick is also a truly genuine, endearing and professional architect who we would highly recommend to anyone.

January 8, 2019Last modified:January 10, 2019

Comment from Kattenburg Architects:

Shira_ Thank you and Mike for your kind and most gratifying review! You both did an incredible job on your end. I know it was tough to endure such a long construction phase, but Dino and his team were well worth the wait. You both contributed so much to the programing and design it would be nothing without your multiple talents. I love your tile selections.

william criswell

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Client

The Kattenburg Architects did a beautiful job of a major expansion and remodel of my home in Orinda. They were very creative as well as professional throughout the entire [project.

December 6, 2017

sf_esq

Relationship

Client

Rick is creative, skilled and knowledgeable and has integrity. We added a bathroom, reconfigured another portion of our home and remodeled throughout. Rick and his team were highly professional and responsive. The highest attention to detail. You would be hard pressed to find better.

October 9, 2016

Alex Rogin

Relationship

Client

Rick, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for working with us on the remodel. Your vision created a space we are incredibly pleased with. And it truly was a pleasure collaborating with you. We most appreciate your unique balance of creativity and attention to detail. Thank you for all the guidance along the way. Alex & Robyn

October 5, 2016

KJ Johnson

Relationship

Client

Rick Kattenburg is an architect with a heart as well as a brain. He designed our remodeled house and spent hours (in fact several years in our case) listening to our needs, wants and heart's wishes. Always professional, he has gone out of his way to make sure that our needs are met and our new home will be just what we want. His office staff is first rate as well. If you are looking to build from scratch or remodel, I would not hesitate to recommend Rick Kattenburg of Kattenburg Architects.

February 29, 2016Last modified:December 20, 2016

xgkurt

Relationship

Client

Rick Kattenburg designed the addition of a large game room (400+ sq ft), hallway, and boys bedroom, as well as an outdoor dining and entertainment area. He provided a lot of the vision that went into the project, and brought ideas that made the final outcome much better aesthetically and more suited to what I wanted. And his attention to detail is quite good, and underappreciated by me until the project was underway and I realized just how valuable that really is. The bottom line is that my home is beautiful -- you can't tell where it used to end and the new addition begins -- and Rick is not only technically very good at his job, he was very helpful all the way through the process, including dealing with the contractor. A pleasure to work with.

December 14, 2015

Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.

Relationship

Colleague

We have worked on several projects where Rick was the Architect. I am always impressed with the level of detail he brings to a project. Rick is always helpful with advice when asked. I also appreciate his style, and his ability to work with the clients desires. You will not be disappointed if you hire Kattenburg as an Architect for your remodel or new constructtion.

June 27, 2015

evesam

Relationship

Client

Rick Kattenburg designed a complete remodel of my ranch style home in pacific palisades, ca in 1995. His design, his attention to detail, and his engineering skills changed my home from a single level ranch style home of the 50's into a two story Mediterranean with an underground three car garage plus wine cellar. The entire .5 acre site was gated affording us privacy and security in a neighborhood with many celebrities which only encouraged fans to come search for their stars home.

November 8, 2014

pcamras

Relationship

Client

Mr. Kattenburg has helped me with 2 major projects. He did such a great job on assisting me with the design of my pool and backyard, that I consulted with him again on my master bathroom remodel. He drew up a plan that my contractor followed to the letter, and my bathroom is gorgeous! I would certainly use Kattenburg Architects again!

August 19, 2013

Comment from Kattenburg Architects:

Patti and Paul Thank You for your kind comments. Helping you was my pleasure!

momohearn

Relationship

Client

Rick designed our house in Orinda. He understood my design ideas and implemented them perfectly. I now have the dream home I always wanted. Rick was so easy to work with and was there for any questions I had along the way. I would hire him again in a heartbeat!

August 17, 2013

Comment from Kattenburg Architects:

Thank you Maura! You were a delightful Client I'm ready to work for you anytime you are...

laferlande1

Relationship

Client

Needed to remodel and add square footage to a historic house without having it show! Wanted a seamless job in materials and appearance. Spent 1 year working on drawings ourselves then hired Kattenburg Architects to refine and realize the project. One really cannot tell where the old house leaves off and the new begins.The Kattenburg Architectural firm was particularly important with specific,professionally practiced advice in division of space...very good viable results in a heretofore awful basement and very efficient redivision/redefinition combining original and new/additional square footage. The architectural services were not needed for supervising the site during the works but were definitely important to planning and ultimately realizing a very satisfying house!! I chose my contractor and with the 20/20 vision one has with hindsight should have paid more attention to Mr. Kattenburgs advice concerning rules by which a contractor should be held accountable.

August 12, 2013

vanservellen

Relationship

Client

Rick Kattenburg is a very talented architect, with a great eye for details. We have used Rick on three different occasions. In all instances it was to "remodel" one of our private residences. Each time the styles were entirely different. Mediterranean, Beach and Mountain. The flow of the houses are great, the space is used very efficiently and the houses have a roomy feel to it as Rick uses windows a lot to make use of the light as well as the views! You do yourself a disservice by not considering Rick.

August 11, 2013

Bannister Woodworking Inc.

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Colleague

As a Construction Professional, the end result of my work can only be as good as the plan that it's based on. Solid, well-thought-out design is the cornerstone of any project. I have worked with Kattenburg Architects on many projects and always recommend them to anyone thinking of stating a construction project. They have a solid reputation for providing intelligent and beautiful architectural design. Rick and Lazlo's many years of experience ensure that the end results are as cohesive and beautiful as possible.

July 22, 2013

Indivar Sivanathan

Relationship

Colleague

Rick Kattenburg of Kattenburg Architects has been a client for about 7 years. He's energetic, enthusiastic, honest and straightforward in his dealings. He has a number of long-term clients whose projects I've photographed, and that being said, they must be very satisfied with the design work done by his firm over the years.

May 8, 2013

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6 Comments

Commented: Garage ceilingTwelve feet floor to ceiling.

January 10, 2016

Commented: Who makes the sinkThis was a custom made trough sink by Sonoma Cast Stone, Sonoma, CA. RK

November 18, 2015

Commented: What is the color/type of cabinets?The cabinets are alder with raised panel doors. They are "flush Overlay', custom built, with light stain stain and sealer.

October 27, 2015

Commented: who makes the tubHi Karen, This is a Victoria and Albert Bath, a British brand. You can find them on line. Good luck with your project! Rick Kattenburg

April 25, 2015

Commented: what colour is te walls?Correction: The K-13 cellulose was sealed with a standard primer and painted with a Benjamin Moore paint color.

June 26, 2013

Kattenburg Architects