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Studio Bergtraun AIA's profile photo

Studio Bergtraun AIA

Average rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars18 Reviews
Architects

About Us

It is our belief that architecture can be a beautiful framework enhancing the lives of those who live and work within and around it. Our studio enjoys working in all aspects of Architecture. The firm portfolio includes a varied typology of projects each informing the other, smaller projects with larger intentions and bigger projects with personal attention to detail. The scope of work in the studio ranges from residential new construction and remodels to commercial and institutional, including summer camps, retail, offices and religious buildings. Our architecture enhances the indoor/outdoor California lifestyle guiding each project through interior design and furnishing details and outdoor landscape direction. Extensive work experience and study in Italy and Denmark along with travels through Asia and Europe have provided a rich design background that informs all of our design. Studio Bergtraun, AIA, Architects has continually strived to create environments responsive to the client’s program and budget, respectful of the surrounds in which they are sited, and attentive to the creative, functional and eco-friendly use of materials and building techniques. Call us today and let us help you get started.

Services Provided

Architectural Design, Architectural Drawings, Bathroom Design, Building Design, Custom Homes, Energy-Efficient Homes, Floor Plans, Green Building, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Gym Design & Construction, Home Remodeling, House Plans, Kitchen Design, Kitchen Remodeling, New Home Construction, Pool House Design & Construction, Space Planning, Sustainable Design, Universal Design, Construction Drawings, Remodeling

Areas Served

Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, East Richmond Heights, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Lafayette, Oakland, Orinda, Piedmont, San Francisco, Tiburon, The Sea Ranch, Lake Tahoe, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Atherton, Rockridge, Los Altos Hills, Kensington, Marin County, Inverness, Napa, Sonoma

Awards

Architectural Record House of the Month January 2017; Tahoe Quarterly's 2017 Mountain Home Award; Best of Houzz 2012 & 2015; EB-AIA House Tour 2015; 2015; EB-AIA House Tour 2011

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28 Projects

Studio Profile, Awards & Publications

6 photos
Gualala, CA

Coastal Home - Gualala, CA

18 photos
Sonoma, CA

Sonoma new Home, Guest houses and Pool House

21 photos
Alpine Meadows, CA

Tahoe Ski Cabin

23 photos
Sea Ranch, CA

Sea Ranch New Home

12 photos
Berkeley, CA

Artist Studio&Home-Berkeley

15 photos
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Credentials

4 Houzz Awards
Best of Houzz 2022
Best of Houzz 2021
Best of Houzz 2015
Best of Houzz 2012
4 Houzz Badges
Star Houzzer
Influencer
Recommended on Houzz
50,000 Ideabook Saves
1 Affiliation
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Write a Review

18 Reviews for Studio Bergtraun AIA

igelhaus
Sally Smith
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Alex and his team helped us renovate 6800 square feet of living, gallery and studio space. Alex was able to artfully combine vintage craftsman, industrial and modern space. Our house has become a real showstopper. At the same time our house is extremely livable and pleasant to be in. Alex and his team worked through every detail: how it would look and how it would work. Alex reveres the old, but is also good at creating modern spaces and thinking outside the box. He is an excellent listener, and never lets his ego get in the way. Alex is also practical and fun to work with. The other architects on his team were similarly fabulous to work with.
Studio Bergtraun AIA
Comment from Studio Bergtraun AIA:
Thank you, Sally. It was a very fun journey working with you and your family on this great project!
charnelson
Charlene Nelson
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We did a full remodel and a second story addition that has exceeded my vision and expectations! There is no doubt that Alex and his team absolutely love what they do and they do it well together. It shows through dedication, attention to detail along with straight forward, timely communication. Always professional but easy-going, I enjoyed a truly collaborative experience that turned my old 1950's home into the modern home of my dreams!
tsab13
Theresa Sabella
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
The entire team at Studio Bergtraun were not only talented professionals, but also a pleasure to work with and were always accessible, operating swiftly and on budget. We wanted a home with separate cottages for our large extended family, which if designed incorrectly, could feel hollow and sprawling. Alex and Jessica were able to transform our collection of ideas and dreams into a village, that was inviting and architecturally stimulating and interesting. Every time we hit a snag with our contractor or with a design element, we turned to them and they were quickly able to offer sound advice and resolve the issue with immediacy. They really understood what we we trying to achieve and helped us stay consistent with the architecture of the home, down to the finest of details. We never anticipated looking at our home and seeing the beauty of the architecture, but we often do. Can you tell we think they are awesome?
susanlandauer
susanlandauer
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Alex understood our vision for the extension of our 1928 Montclair home, to upscale the look, but keep its charm (such as its Deco moldings and sash windows) and make it appear as if the house had always been 1,000 sq. feet larger. He was easy to work with, kept us updated on costs, and in the end made the house more beautiful than we could ever have imagined with his creative design solutions. We only wish we had before and after pictures--they would be hard to believe! People driving by continue to stop and take snapshots or, if we happen to be in our front yard, tell us we have a magnificent home.
billfry
Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
Studio Bergtraun is gifted in creating livable modern cohesive spaces with the California indoor/outdoor lifestyle in mind. In addition, they also provide interior architecture services, so that you’ll be sure that your interiors will match your home’s design. Whether you live in the East Bay, Peninsula, or South Bay, Alex Bergtraun can design a home that fits your needs and desires.
cavyparakeet
cavyparakeet
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Alex Bergtraun was the perfect choice to help us renovate our new purchase of a 1957 modern style house in the Berkeley Hills. Ours is a unique house, designed by Ratcliff architects and one of the first residential houses in a contemporary style. Bergtraun Studios clearly have strong knowledge of Mid-Century Modern houses, Alex was in sync with the aesthetics from overall look to specifics. My wife and I found Alex to also be an excellent combination of proactive suggestions combined with a very respectful and supportive approach that made working with him really a pleasure. We changed our project substantially as work progressed and Alex was easily able to accommodate us. The final results of our house is no less than stunning. I have experience rehabbing housing and give my highest recommendation to this studio.
elsa1118
elsa1118
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We hired Studio Bergtraun for a kitchen / office remodel in 2012. They were amazing. Easy to work with, great taste - and communicative. They were able to create a design that worked with the aesthetic of our house (built in the 1920s in Piedmont Ca.) One of the great things about Bergtraun was their ability to listen to our initial ideas and then plus them in ways we would have never thought of. No doubt, we'd work with them again. In fact, we just started another job!
kirstenallison
kirstenallison
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We hired Studio Bergtraun to design a main floor remodel. There was a lot of room, but it wasn't very functional. The ideas they came up with transformed our living room/dining room/kitchen area into an amazing space. They also worked with a very funky master bath and closet to give me a closet with a door (!!!) and a bathroom that makes me feel like I'm at a spa. Alex, et al, paid attention to lots of details we wouldn't have even thought about, and were very supportive during a stressful process. I highly recommend them.
amyalchemy
amyalchemy
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
We had the pleasure of working with Studio Bergtraun on a project from 2011-2013. They designed an extensive remodel of a 1970's residence in Trinidad, CA. Although Studio Bergtraun is located 300 miles South of the project site, this was one of the smoothest, most positive experiences we've had in our 16 years of business. We had excellent communication, site visits as needed, and really enjoyed Alex and Michelle on a personal level as well. We hope to work with them again in the future.
sandstep
sandstep
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Studio Bergtraun did the design for a remodel that included adding an elevator, opening up the floor plan, and making a bedroom and bathroom accessible for people with disabilities. Their ideas were creative and innovative where other architects had not known where to start. The elevator placement did not reduce the living area, the kitchen ideas reduced square footage whole managing to add both cabinet and counter space, and we are completely thrilled with the result.
terrytsu
terrytsu
Average rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Full remodel involving kitchen, living and dining room, bathroom, foyer, exterior front entry and front yard. Never could have gotten such beautiful results w/o help of Studio Bergtraun's professional know-how and attention to detail. After the project was completed, there were so many "oohs and ahhs" from friends and neighbors, and therefore, many consequently hired Alex for their remodels. Alex understood our taste and lifestyle and we were very happy with the results. So happy, in fact, that we did a second remodel with Studio Bergtraun a few years later. The second project involved converting the garage into a family room with bathroom and side patio, as well as building a 3-car garage.
tfkahn
tfkahn
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We commissioned Studio Bergtruan to design a relatively complex stand-alone auxiliary building to be used as a gym and observation / support building for our tennis court. (It also has a carport.) The design needed to "nestle" into a hillside to avoid blocking views from the main house while still having very high internal ceilings and extensive natural light and large door openings. It also needed to complement a Wurster house from the early '30's without appearing to echo it. Alex and his team developed a brilliant design: functional, spacious, aesthetically distinctive and extraordinarily well-suited to the topology and landscape. Forms and details work together brilliantly. Construction was complex but smooth, and Studio Bergtraun and our contractors worked well together. We highly recommend Studio Bergtraun to anyone looking for the highest quality work!
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83 Comments

Commented: Very Cool Fireplace!It's painted sheet metal.
January 10, 2021
Commented: What material is the siding?This house siding is stained Cedar and it meets the WUI minimum thickness of 1" for fire resistance.
November 2, 2020
Commented: FireplaceThe Fireplace is custom
September 19, 2020
Commented: bookshelf cubbiesIt's painted wood, it's part of the cabinet. You need a back panel for structural support.
February 11, 2020
Commented: countertopsThose are Heath tiles, another one of our most favorite products! They are expensive but for kitchen backsplashes that have such an impact overall they are worth the cost.
January 11, 2020
Commented: Love the pendant lights!This was a remodel and we re-used existing lights, but you can find very similar fixtures at Rejuvenation - they are 'school house style' pendants. www.rejuvenation.com
July 28, 2019
Contact Studio Bergtraun AIA
Website
5500 Doyle Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
Typical Job Cost $250,000 - 15 million
344 Followers
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