Studio Bergtraun AIA

4.918 Reviews

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Emeryville, CA

Custom work

3x Best of Houzz winner

Locally owned

Bay Area Full Service Architectural Studio- 3x Best of Houzz Winner

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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

27 Projects for Studio Bergtraun AIA

Studio Profile, Awards & Publications

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Gualala, CA

Coastal Home - Gualala, CA

18 photos

Sonoma, CA

Sonoma new Home, Guest houses and Pool House

Artist Studio&Home-Berkeley

15 photos

Piedmont, CA

Home Gym + Party Space + Carport in Piedmont

8 photos

Berkeley, CA

Hillside MCM Residence

17 photos

Piedmont, CA

Contemporary Classic Kitchen + Studio in Piedmont

10 photos

Lafayette, CA

Mid-Century Modern Remodel

16 photos

Trinidad, CA

Coastal BeachFront Residence

12 photos

Kensington, CA

Mid-Century Kensington Home

16 photos

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Featured Review

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18 Reviews for Studio Bergtraun AIA

Sally Smith

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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.

May 14, 2019

Comment from Studio Bergtraun AIA:

Thank you, Sally. It was a very fun journey working with you and your family on this great project!

Charlene Nelson

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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!

January 6, 2018

Theresa Sabella

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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?

December 1, 2017

susanlandauer

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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.

December 24, 2015

Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.

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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.

September 15, 2015

cavyparakeet

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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.

December 8, 2014

elsa1118

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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!

December 7, 2014Last modified:December 7, 2014

kirstenallison

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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.

February 17, 2014

amyalchemy

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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.

February 17, 2014

sandstep

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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.

February 16, 2014

terrytsu

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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.

February 16, 2014

tfkahn

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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!

February 9, 2014

frankcerra

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Colleague

I have worked on several projects with Studio Bergtraun from additions to full home remodels. The service and knowledge that Alex Bergtraun and his staff provided me and the clients is outstanding. The communication and the willingness to assist with problem solving unforeseen issues is very much appreciated. I highly recommend Studio Bergtraun to anyone who is looking to do any projects, large or small. Frank Cerra (Builder) Lic# 814883

February 9, 2014

Hudi Podolsky

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Client

Studio Bergtraun did a major remodel of my Eichler in 2008. They were a joy to deal with throughout and I am grateful to them every day as I enjoy my home. Alex solved problems with great creativity. His suggestions for materials showed that he had really understood my taste and respected my budget. When I needed to make some cuts in expenses, he was very thoughtful about helping me see where spending would make the biggest difference and where it would matter less. The team at the Studio were all thorough in attention to detail and never dropped anything. They worked in complete harmony with the contractor (who they had recommended and who was wonderful) which made a huge difference in how smoothly the whole project went. It was completed on time and on budget, and without a single day of heartburn - so different from the experiences I'd heard about from friends. The money I spent with Studio Bergtraun was one of the best investments I've made, resulting in years of daily pleasure.

February 7, 2014

sybillekatz

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Client

Had a bathroom remodeled, another one added and some smaller things (changes in my laundry room, windows replaced) done in the rest of the house. Creative thinking, good help with things, excellent referrals to various companies for different materials, referral to a very, very good contractor and they also thought of ME, having to go through a remodel and how to make it the least stressful for me.

February 5, 2014

jshaddle

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Colleague

Studio Bergtraun was great to work with. As a builder it was refreshing to work with a cutting edge architectural firm that "got it". I would recommend them to anyone looking for an architectural firm that thinks outside of the box yet can bring the job in on a practical budget.

February 5, 2014

foelschg

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Client

We worked with Studio Bergtraun on a home remodel including adding an addition and redesigning interior space (living/dining room, kitchen & bathrooms). We were extremely happy with the entire project. Studio Bergtraun was wonderful to work with and handled or gave us advice on everything from permits to contractors to project management to interior design (lights, paint, etc). We have recommended them to many other people and would never hesitate to use them again.

February 5, 2014

rickbohn

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Client

My wife and I have one of the most beautiful and functional kitchens in all of California thanks to Studio Bergtraun. Somehow, Alex managed to make a 13X13 space into a perfect kitchen for us and we have enjoyed it every day. His creativity and ability to see the big picture is something that we really appreciated. After two years of enjoying our kitchen, we wouldn't change a single thing Alex recommended.

February 5, 2014

82 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

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