Last updated on May 22nd, 2024 at 03:00 pm
Located in Contra Costa County, Moraga is a suburb of Oakland and takes great pride in being one of the best places to live in California. A large portion of its population consists of retirees and young professionals. The city provides its residents with great restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The town also serves as a gallery of California’s various architectural vernaculars.
Our editorial team decided to write about the area’s five best residential architects. We were impressed by the great backgrounds and portfolios of these firms, the criteria that helped us find this shortlist of companies. All of these firms are well-versed in some of the area’s most famous architectural vernaculars and were chosen for their skill and talent.
Hunt Hale Jones Architects
444 Spear St. Suite #105, San Francisco, CA 94105
Headquartered in San Francisco, Hunt Hale Jones Architects specializes in planning and architectural services for the urban, neighborhood residential, and luxury home markets. The firm has been in business since 1993 and showcases expertise in a rich range of home themes. The firm provides its clients with stellar services by using a collaborative and innovative approach— an approach that has consistently resulted in outstanding benefits. The firm is also the proud recipient of numerous industry awards. Some of these include five Pacific Coast Builders Conference Gold Nugget Grand Awards and several MAME Awards.
The project above was completed in San Anselmo back in 2007. It best exemplifies the firm’s skills and features a Mediterranean design. Specifically designed to wrap around a large, open courtyard to allow a rich amount of light throughout all of its spaces, the project spans 7,300 square feet. Some of its other unique elements include high ceilings, a grand scale great room that opens up to an impressive backyard, its own tennis court, a spa, and various other unique entertainment spaces.
Jennifer Weiss Architecture
Presidio Heights, San Francisco, CA 94118
With features in stellar publications like Architectural Digest and Dwell, Jennifer Weiss Architecture is a full-service boutique architecture studio. It commits itself to the highest standards and is well-respected for its outstanding construction management experience. Although it can take virtually any project regardless of style or scale, the firm mainly demonstrates an affinity and expertise for modern and contemporary themes. Jennifer Weiss personally leads its team. She draws inspiration from over three decades of experience in the industry and has had the opportunity to work for several notable architectural firms before establishing one of her own. She holds a Master of Architecture with Honors from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Arts, again with Honors, in both Architecture and Art History from Columbia University.
Photographer Lucas Fladzinski. Client Jennifer Weiss Architecture. Cole Valley Project. 135 Belgrave Ave. San Francisco, CA 94117
Showcased above is the company’s Cole Valley House project. It was featured on The Wall Street Journal and challenged the firm with its extensive update. Interestingly, the firm’s team actually did not change the original footprint and instead reworked its floor plan to allow for better flow in between its rooms. Additionally, the firm used a recurring theme of straight lines, large windows, and minimalist finishes.
Kattenburg Architects
3249 Mt. Diablo Ct. Suite #206, Lafayette, CA 94549
Kattenburg Architects has been in business since 1981 and is manned by a team of professionals who emphasize responsive full-service project development. At its helm is Rick Kattenburg, an experienced architect with a rich background in design development and oversees every project facet. He holds a master’s in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and has worked and supervised more than 400 custom residential projects and numerous commercial and institutional developments. Under his leadership, the company has also worked on several commercial and public buildings. Over the years, Kattenburg has received several awards and has been featured in a number of publications.
The photo above is an excellent example of some of the firm’s best projects. For this home, the firm worked on a pergola and opted for low shingled roofs. It also opted for brick exteriors and installed trellised windows. Our editorial team especially loved its inviting main entry and great floor plan.
ODS Architecture
5895 Doyle St., Emeryville, CA 94608
Extending its services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, ODS Architecture specializes in new custom homes, large-scale renovations, and unique office and museum spaces. The firm’s spaces are known for their simplicity and efficiency and their frequent use of modern and transitional themes. Offering a full range of services, the firm’s team uses the latest industry trends and technology including extensive 3D remodeling. With its planning and building department, the firm is present during design inception and during construction itself. The firm’s team also conducts several builder pricing sessions before settling on a final figure to avoid extra costs and overspending.
Completed in Moraga, the photo featured here is a modern renovation of an outdated one-story home. Larger windows and doors and a contemporary silhouette make it a perfect California home to enjoy a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Its open floor plan is also complemented by natural textures and finishes.
Trademark Architecture+Interiors
1078 Carol Ln. Suite #202, Lafayette, CA 94549
Trademark Architecture+Interiors offers its clients a complete and comprehensive range of architecture and interior design services. The firm is well-known for its holistic approach and fully integrated methods. The firm is personally led by its principal Kenny Goodman, an experienced professional who has worked on countless projects throughout the greater Bay Area. He is a licensed Architect and Certified Interior Designer. Under his leadership, the firm has secured a great reputation for its unique design solutions and accurate designs and estimates. That precise planning leads to little to almost no revisions throughout the entire process and no overspending. The firm’s portfolio depicts a great range of designs, with one of its best homes showcased below.
For this home, the team opted for a classic traditional theme: French Country. Its light-colored stone exterior is paired well with divided lite windows and arched doorways. It has a motor court and second garage as well as a beautiful backyard that looks out into the adjacent golf course greens.
