An impressive design is one of the key elements that distinguishes one home from the other. The community of Hillsborough is familiar with opulent homes in a wide range of styles, everything from Tudor to contemporary. The challenge with residential architecture lies in the monotony of repetitive designs. Architects and designers dedicate years of practice to develop their own design style. Our editorial team has listed the best residential architects in Hillsborough, California.
These firms were chosen based on their design forte, their recognition from the press, and the level of architecture expertise demonstrated in the projects they have completed. A majority of these architects have been in the industry for more than 20 years and have designed noteworthy homes across the city.
Andrew Morrall Architect
2739 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Andrew Morrall Architect is an award-winning architecture firm serving San Francisco since 2003. Andrew Morrall is at the helm of the firm. His rich architecture background is influenced by his work in Illinois and California. The firm has worked on many homes in the Bay Area and has earned recognition for that excellent work in the last few years.
Convenient designs and attention to detail have characterized Andrew Morrall Architect’s work, as you can see in this Oakland Hills modern home. The simplicity in design is consistent throughout the home. The architects put into consideration the efficiency of the design and kept it under budget. Open floorplans were intended to make space appear bigger. The home features a minimalist white exterior and a warm wood interior defined by clean lines.
Christian Rice Architects
1127 Loma Ave., Coronado, CA 92118
Christian Rice Architects has offered its clients a powerful home design since the beginning. After all, Christian Rice found his love for architecture at an early age. Years of honing his design talent led him to start Christian Rice Architects in Coronado. Rice has gathered a team of innovative architects whose expertise in design has built the firm’s solid reputation.
Contemporary, Spanish, and Cape Cod styles are a prominent sight in the firm’s portfolio. This Coronado home was designed with a contemporary lifestyle in mind. The modern abode provides its homeowners a tropical escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The open layout creates a seamless transition of indoor to outdoor living perfect for San Diego’s climate.
Feldman Architecture
1648 Pacific Ave. Suite B, San Francisco, CA 94109
Feldman Architecture is a leading contemporary architectural firm acclaimed for its forward-thinking designs. Jonathan Feldman, Steven Stept, Taisuke Ikegami, and Christopher Kurrle lead a talented team of designers. Feldman Architecture’s expertise in design has resulted in the firm’s repeated features in print, including features in Architectural Digest, Dwell Magazine, Elle Decor, and CA Home + Design.
Lutsko Associates Landscape Architecture
Feldman Architecture’s deep understanding of how spaces create wellness has resulted in a wide portfolio of successful residential and commercial projects. A residential project, The Meadow Home, was featured in more than five national publications. The home’s clean sharp lines sit in contrast with the sprawling site, and the open layout creates a strong indoor/outdoor connection. The design strikes a balance between rural and modern living and prioritizes site-sensitivity and connection to place.
House + House Architects
427 Chestnut Street #3, San Francisco, CA 94133
Steven and Cathi House are architects who craft unique, magical, and harmonious environments. Deeply sensitive to elements of form, color, natural light, and movement, House + House creates a tangible spirit within each home they design, molded to the process of living. They have produced a diverse body of work reflecting their passion for site-specific, well-choreographed buildings.
A good example of their work is the Butternut residence set deep into its lot with a choreographed arrival through a gracious front garden, enveloping this home in an aura of seclusion. Strong geometric forms interlocked with thick walls and broad bands of gridded windows are softened by gently vaulted roofs and an elegant palette of materials. Wide slate steps lead to a mahogany entry door set within a deep frame, bisecting the main gallery and continuing through to a swath of luminous grass. Standing seam roofing in a metallic champagne color complements muted shades of taupe stucco.
Over the years, the firm’s work has been built in California, Florida, Hawaii, and Virginia as well as Mexico, Honduras, and the Caribbean. House + House Architects has received more than 50 design awards and has been featured in many national and international publications including two monographs.
John Lum Architecture
3246 Seventeenth St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Founded in 1994, John Lum Architecture is known for its inspiring architectural styles seen all over the Bay Area. The firm’s portfolio is filled with magazine-worthy designs as evidenced by features in California Home + Design, Gentry Home, Dwell, and Aspire.
Take a glimpse of this Japanese-inspired craftsman home in Hillsborough. Inspired by their client’s love of nature, the home is built from heavy-timber. To maximize the views, the main rooms are lined along the slope’s edge. Although the family of five was drawn to the traditional style, they wanted a casual space where they could relax. As a result, the house features a large open kitchen, breakfast nook, outdoor sitting room, and game room, among more formal areas. The house is an extension of the landscape and nestles comfortably in its affluent neighborhood.
Klopf Architecture
2180 Bryant St. Suite #203, San Francisco, CA 94110
Klopf Architecture brings innovation closer to people through its award-winning architects and acclaimed homes. Principal Architect John Klopf has over two decades of field expertise and he has gathered a team of industry artisans under one roof. The firm has completed many projects in the Bay Area since its inception in 2001. Klopf Architecture’s exquisite homes have been repeatedly featured in Dwell Magazine, Architect Magazine, LUXE, and Gentry Magazine.
From upscale to energy-efficient homes, the firm is capable and knowledgeable when it comes to delivering impressive designs. A broken-down home built in the 1940s received a full-scale new design from the team. The new home entails an Eichler-inspired energy-efficient design complete with modern architecture and interior elements. Its floor plan seamlessly follows the gentle slope of the hillside as its overarching post-and-beam roof provides an unchanging datum line.
Koch Architects
2512 Ninth St. Suite #5, Berkeley, CA 94710
Joanne Koch, AIA founded Koch Architects in 1998. Her finesse with architectural design has been greatly influenced by working with large firms in San Francisco and Sonoma County. Koch is accompanied by a design team experienced in various home styles. Each member brings fresh eyes to the design process.
Koch Architects is known for creating designs with a focus on modern living. The Koch team neatly entwines aesthetics, sustainability, and affordability. Doing so allows the firm to offer clients a sensitive home design that meets both purpose and comfort. This warm and contemporary home was designed for a winemaking couple. The home is divided by an open space into two sections creating a light-filled space. The interior brings a light atmosphere through an open layout and warm natural wood. Everything is tied together with a unique butterfly roof unifying all parts of the home.
Mark English Architects
315 Sutter St., 5th floor, San Francisco, CA 94108
Mark English Architects is an award-winning architectural firm servicing San Francisco since 1992. Mark English, AIA has a rich architectural background working with firms in Italy and San Francisco. The practice makes flexibility and sustainability a priority. It aims to create home designs that are built to last. The firm’s works have received both awards and press mentions in the last few years. Some of the firm’s recognitions include the 2020 Gold Nugget Award, being a juror for the 2020 ADF Milano Salone Design Award, and a feature in Dwell Magazine among others.
Nyhus Design Group
1555 Bayshore Hwy. Suite #120, Burlingame, CA 94010
Nyhus Design Group is an architectural practice established by Eric Nyhus, LEED AP. Nyhus has been in the industry for more than three decades, and his expertise with design has shaped the values and service of Nyhus Design Group. The firm treats designs in a way that affects the way people live, learn, and grow. Each home sets the boundaries to existence and experience and the firm wants to find ways to broaden those boundaries.
The firm’s portfolio includes everything from modern to Tudor-style homes. Each project is designed with great attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship. Modern meets the charming Old World style in this Tudor cottage home. Nyhus Design Group redesigned the Ranch style home into an English cottage keeping traditional detailing and materials on the exterior. The interior features an open concept in the living and dining area; the kitchen is separated for a more formal structure.
TRG Architecture + Interior Design
1014 Howard Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401
Bridging modern living with upscale homes characterizes TRG Architecture + Interior Design’s works. The firm, headed by Randy Grange, AIA, LEED AP and Leslie Lamarre, CKD, CID has been in the industry since 1995. The firm’s long list of award-winning works is a reflection of its well-versed design team and passion for quality design. Publications like LUXE Magazine, Elle Decor, and Modern Luxury Silicon Valley, among many others, have featured the firm’s work.
One of TRG’s recently completed projects is this Hilltop Dream home. The residence features a modern design with detailed luxurious amenities. It truly is a dream home with its relaxing indoor features that seamlessly flow onto its fun outdoors activities. TRG found the right balance between indoor and outdoor living through this integrated design. It transports homeowners and guests alike to a dream vacation.
