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The 5 Best Residential Architects in Livermore, California

6 Min Read

Livermore has the largest population in the Tri-Valley area and is home to many local vineyards. As you might expect, the real estate market in Livermore has become quite competitive. Whether it’s new construction, recently sold property, or foreclosed homes, many buyers are looking for a home to settle in. 

Homeowners will discover plenty of choices when it comes to finding the best residential architects in Livermore. We gathered five of the top architectural firms in the city based on their background, experience, and quality of service. Many of these firms have been operating for decades and have a strong portfolio to show for it. 

Homeowners and even business owners looking to improve their spaces should check out these architecture firms. These companies can successfully transform any home or commercial facility into a beautiful, functional space. 


 

Molinar Home Design

7133 Dublin Blvd., Dublin, CA 94568

At Molinar Home Design (MHD), team members treat each project as a valuable work of architecture. Established in 2004, the company has been designing and creating spaces with a focus on residential projects including traditional and modern homes. For 17 years, Molinar Home Design (MHD) has been serving homeowners across the East Bay including Livermore, Alamo, Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton, Fremont, and Castro Valley. The firm’s services include custom homes, lot developments, home renovations, additions, fire repairs, multi-family, and accessory dwelling units (ADU).

The firm’s owner and principal, Mark Molinar, graduated from California Polytechnic State University SLO where he earned a degree in Architecture. Mark also owns and operates The Blueprint Shop in Dublin which provides large format printing, archiving, and scanning services to builders, homeowners, engineers and other architects. Over the years, Mark developed his expertise in residential homes and with his solid background, he decided to build his own firm. Mark Molinar has grown his firm to include a number of drafters and designers, including most recently Michael Suchocki who brings over 20 years of architectural experience, talent, and energy.

Molinar Home Designs treats each project opportunity with the same level of high-standard quality and service. The firm’s system involves a collaborative effort between the client and the architect to visualize the project and to create a process that realizes how the project can be a success. Its process includes listening to the client, researching the requirements, translating plans into drawings, modifying the design, finalizing the details, and assisting in obtaining building permits.


John Barton Architect

359 De Leon Ave. Fremont, CA 94539

John Barton Architect was established in 1998 and since then this architectural firm has established itself as a leading residential design studio in the Bay Area. With an extensive background and decades of experience, the company has developed its expertise in designing residential homes across Fremont, Lake Tahoe, Dublin, Palo Alto, San Ramon, San Jose, Union City, and nearby areas. The firm focuses on traditional and cottage-style designs. 

The firm’s design philosophy involves a collaboration between the architects and the clients to create a space that is both beautiful and functional. The owner, John Barton, has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry. He worked as a carpenter for various residential projects before becoming an architect. John practices a hands-on approach when it comes to managing projects to ensure that every detail of the design process is attended to. 

The company believes that the right-sized home allows them to create sustainable designs compared to oversized spaces. It prefers smaller well-designed homes over a ‘bigger is better’ approach when designing spaces. John Barton Architect has been recognized as the Lake Tahoe Mountain Home Award Winner for its remarkable work. The company is affiliated with the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 


Mark Stoklosa Architect

351 South Baywood Avenue San Jose CA 95128

For 38 years, Mark Stoklosa Architect Inc. has been providing unique designs for residents in San Jose, East Bay, the San Francisco Bay area, Arizona, Hawaii, and parts of Canada. Its projects can be seen in various parts of North America. The firm was founded in 1982 by Mark Stoklosa and many of its designs incorporate green architecture and adaptive reuse. Its past work reflects a mix of traditional, Mediterranean, and farmhouse-style spaces.  

Over the years, Mark Stoklosa Architect Inc. became known as the premier “Boutique Architecture Studio” where clients can expect to receive the highest quality of service. The company implements an integrated project delivery system that involves all concerned parties from the owner, architects, engineers down to the real estate professionals. Mark is working on adaptive reuse projects of religious institutions with additions, remodels, and building retrofits. The company’s vision is to create a unique space that will enhance the experience of the parishioners. 

In 2000, Mark Stoklosa Architect received the Award for Contribution to Sustainable Design using Rice Straw Bale and Recycled Steel as well as the Eco-House recognition from the Alliance on Sustainable Living. The company is accredited with AIA and its works have been featured in the pages of Eco-Structures Magazine, Walnut Creek Magazine, and Contra Costa Times


Mikiten Architecture

2415 Fifth St. Berkeley, CA 94710

Since 1991, Mikiten Architecture has been designing beautiful homes across the San Francisco Bay area, Alameda County, and Sonoma. Its style of work reflects modern, Italian, and farmhouse homes. Mikiten Architecture provides homeowners with multifamily, ecological, and universal designs tailored to the client’s needs and preferences. It also provides site planning and designs for commercial projects. 

Mikiten Architecture is known for its sustainable designs and its passion for creating spaces that are safe for the environment. The team is composed of award-winning professionals specializing in ecological and universal designs. Owner and principal, Erick Mikiten, earned his degree in architecture at UC Berkeley. He also serves on the California Building Standards Commission as a building standards commissioner. 

Mikiten Architecture has been recognized by the City of Oakland with the Historic Preservation Award. In 2002, the firm also received an award for the Best Affordable and Accessible Housing in the U.S. by the U.S. Department of HUD and the AIA. The firm is accredited with AIA and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Its designs can be seen in several publications including  Architect Magazine, The Architect Marketing Institute, Residential Architect Magazine, and SFGate


BAR Architects

901 Battery St., Suite 300 San Francisco, CA 94111

BAR Architects has been in business since 1966, designing and creating spectacular spaces across the U.S and abroad. As an industry expert, this architectural firm knows what it takes to make a project successful. It uses its 55 years of design experience to create spaces highlighting modern, farmhouse, and mountain-style designs. Its services include designing custom homes, multifamily homes, boutique hotels, wineries and clubhouses, as well as entertainment and commercial spaces; historic renovation and building reuse.

Photo by Matthew Millman Photography.

At BAR Architects, inspirational designs are given importance as well as providing unique solutions to the specific needs of the client. With decades of experience and a solid background, BAR Architects has become the premier architectural firm in Livermore.The firm has built a strong reputation for providing excellent results and providing an outstanding quality of service. The firm’s current President, Chris Haegglund, AIA, LEED AP, joined the firm in 1990 and collaborates closely with the other principals while also co-leading the multifamily housing studio. He also serves as a speaker for various institutions and organizations.

This award-winning firm was recently recognized as one of the 2020 ENR California Top Design Firms and is the recipient of over 200 awards and recognition including being inducted into Builder’s Wm. S. Marvin Hall of Fame for Design Excellence. The firm’s designs have been featured in numerous publications including SF Business Times, SF Chronicle, Archinect, Architectural Digest, and Silicon Valley Business Journal to name a few. Active in the AIA and the USGBC as well as many other organizations, the firm also actively supports giving back by providing pro-bono and volunteer services for numerous non-profits including Haiti Partners, SF Mime and Blue Bear School of Music among others. Learn more about their work at www.bararch.com.