Situated between San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains, Mountain View is home to a number of tech companies, including Google. This picturesque city includes a high-ranking healthcare system and a pedestrian-friendly downtown. It’s no surprise that Mountain View was ranked among the Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2018.
With its urban setup, homes in this city average $880,000, and styles range from craftsman to contemporary. Featured on this list: the best residential architects in Mountain View who have designed stunning homes in the city and its surrounding areas. Our team evaluated numerous architects based on a number of factors: the awards and recognition they’ve received over the years, their industry affiliations and accreditations, the overall quality of their projects, customer reviews, and the years of experience they have in the industry.
This list includes both licensed architects and residential designers who can both design stunning homes but differ in other services offered. Architects are trained in design, engineering, and project management and have passed a licensing exam. Residential designers typically don’t manage projects and plans will need to be approved by a structural engineer. Whether you choose to hire an architect or a residential designer will depend on your project needs and complexity.
ANAV DESIGN
Cupertino, CA 95014
ANAV DESIGN has been successfully addressing the architecture and interior design needs of the Bay Area since 2004. Established by Anat Shmariahu—who graduated from the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology—the studio specializes in designing modernist and contemporary single-family homes. ANAV DESIGN oversees all facets of a project, from conceptual design and planning to permits and construction. This thorough process ensures all client needs are addressed and every expectation is met.
Whether a project involves a new home, an addition, or a remodel, the firm approaches each undertaking with a holistic design. This practice enables the company to design spaces with harmony, functional flow, space, and style continuity.
ANAV DESIGN focuses on a timeless, yet functional minimalist design. The team ensures each design is customized according to the client’s needs, budget, and preference.
J. Kretschmer Architect
101 Old Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
Founded in 2003, J. Kretschmer Architect is a Los Gatos-based architecture firm that specializes in small residential projects under 5,000 square feet and commercial projects no more than 10,000 square feet. Principal architect Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA has over 25 years of experience in the industry and is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and an NCARB certificate holder. Kretschmer is also a LEED Green Associate and currently on the Board of Directors for the AIA Silicon Valley Chapter. She is the 2020 Vice President and 2021 President-elect of the Chapter.
Thanks to her extensive experience, the firm has provided a number of well-executed projects. The Sunnyvale Craftsman residence is a good example, which you can see below. Originally, the home was a single-story Craftsman, and later it received a second story that did not match the original style of the home. J. Kretschmer Architect, in collaboration with May Construction, Inc., included a few additions and relocated the kitchen for a more cohesive flow and improved functionality in the home’s layout. New interior and exterior finishes were also added to update the Craftsman home’s overall look.
LNAI Architecture
10 Rollins Rd. Suite #207, Millbrae, CA 94030
Serving the Bay Area, award-winning LNAI Architecture’s work is centered on crafting space, light, material, and form. The company is committed to discovering the unique, hidden potential of every project and incorporating them into the design process. Leonard Ng, founding principal of the design firm, graduated from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and holds dual degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering from MIT. For the past 15 years, Ng has worked on a wide array of project types and sizes locally and internationally. A licensed architect in California since 2005, he is also a LEED BD+C-accredited professional.
Photo by Matthew Millman
Under his leadership, the firm has amassed numerous awards, including the 2018 AIA Residential Honor Award for its I/O House project in San Mateo County, the 2017 Gold Nugget Award and the Grand Award from Builder’s Choice + Custom Home Awards. Many of the Ng’s past projects have been featured in national and international publications, including A+U Architectural Record, Remodeling, and Interior Design.
One of the firm’s award-winning projects is the I/O House in Palo Alto. The home’s main living space features a living room, a dining area, and a kitchen that opens up to a horizon garden. In the middle of the home, a floating staircase hangs above river rocks while strips of vertical grain cedar and rift white oak filter in the railings add to the home’s modern. minimalist architecture. In the second-floor master suite, rectangular clerestory windows in both the bedroom and bathroom allow more light, highlighting the beauty of the surrounding treetops.
M.Designs Architects
4131 El Camino Real Suite #200, Palo Alto, CA 94306
M.Designs Architects has almost five decades of management experience in designing, documentation, and construction support. Based in Palo Alto, the firm specializes in architecture, planning, and interior design for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Chip Jessup, president and co-founder, has worked on various types of projects ranging from small residences to complex commercial projects. He has been a licensed architect since 1981 and holds an NCARB certificate. He leads the firm with Malika Junaid: Junaid has received several architectural awards including META Remodeling Awards from NARI and an Environmental Quality Award from the City of Menlo Park for the most sustainable single-family home in the city. She also founded the Green Learning Institute in California and co-founded the Pakistan Green Building Council.
Among the company’s impressive works is this home in Portola Avenue. This surreal contemporary home showcases curvy architecture from its exterior to its interior features including the walls, stairs, and ceilings. Other unique features of this property are its multiple skylights, indoor koi pond, and high ceilings, adding to the home’s architectural interest.
ODS Architecture
5895 Doyle St., Emeryville, CA 94608
Multi-awarded ODS Architecture’s mission is to create simple, efficient, and unique living spaces. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company serves residential, commercial, and retail clients with high-quality full design services. The team’s two decades plus of experience have developed their expertise in designing and helped them establish a system that ensures that the client’s goals are met and that projects are completed within their budget. Since 1983, ODS Architecture has earned the trust of many clients and has completed a long list of projects throughout the Bay Area. With the team’s design expertise and thorough process, the firm continues to receive five-star ratings from its many satisfied customers.
In Atherton, ODS Architecture designed this new 7,000-square-foot building complex on a one-acre flag-shaped lot. The building complex featured the main house, a six-car garage with two car lifts, a pool house with a full one-bedroom residence, and a separate home office and work out studio building. With the help of extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling, the fifty-foot pool was placed to the north of the home where it showed to be the sunniest area throughout the year. This luxurious California GreenPoint rated property also consists of sustainable features including a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array and a large 16,000-gallon rainwater catchment system.
Ogawa Fisher Architects
715 Colorado Ave. Suite D, Palo Alto, CA 94303
With extensive experience in designing residential projects, Ogawa Fisher Architects has built a reputation for its top quality design solutions. The company pays close attention to every detail, ensuring a holistic approach that considers each aspect of the project including the surroundings, the neighborhood, the terrain, and client preferences. In each project, the Ogawa Fisher Architects team incorporates green building and sustainable practices.
Hiromi Ogawa, the company founder, is a licensed architect in California and Oregon. Ogawa graduated from the School of Architecture at Cornell University and was awarded the Eidlitz Fellowship to study in Paris. Prior to permanently relocating to the Bay Area, Ogawa lived in Tokyo, Michigan, Kentucky, New York, and Oregon. Her experiences of living in various locations contributes to the firm’s expertise in both local and global design trends.
Principal Lynn Fisher is a LEED-accredited professional who earned her master’s in architecture from Rice University. Together with Ogawa, they’ve completed numerous stunning projects that have been featured in various publications including dwell, AIA San Francisco Architecture, and Fine Homebuilding.
Square Three Design Studios
900 High St. Suite #3, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Square Three Design Studios is a Palo Alto-based architecture firm that specializes in architectural design for custom homes, home additions, home remodels, and energy-efficient homes. The team is comprised of creative and motivated design professionals who aim to provide each client with impeccable service. Square Three Design puts a premium on communication and rapport, forming long-standing relationships with clients and garnering numerous five-star reviews. From traditional designs to contemporary aesthetics, the team can handle a wide array of home styles for clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 2015, the company designed a contemporary home in San Francisco. The home features wood siding and gray trim in its exteriors. Light hardwood flooring covers the living and dining area, while the wood plank ceiling adds interest to the fresh, minimalist kitchen. The kitchen opens up to the outdoor area through its glass accordion doors—making the living space even more spacious and bright.
Stoecker and Northway Architects, Inc.
465 Fairchild Dr. Suite #121, Mountain View, CA 94043
Established in 1978, Stoecker and Northway Architects has made a name in the San Francisco Bay Area as one of the area’s leading architecture firms. Originally founded by Bob Stoecker and John Northway, the company is now led by Alena Campagna and Cynthia Munoz, with Northway remaining as counsel to the firm. Under their leadership, the firm has completed projects in numerous market sectors including residential, mixed-use, commercial, retail, educational, healthcare, and institutional markets.
With a team consisting of LEED accredited professionals, the firm is committed to the use of environment-friendly and sustainable products and systems. As such, Stoecker and Northway Architects is well-experienced in green building technologies, passive and active solar application, and geothermal design.
One of the company’s projects in Mountain View is this cozy craftsman home. The home features shingle siding and stone accents, with white columns, and trim throughout. The interiors feature gorgeous high ceilings with reclaimed hardwood ceiling planks, beautiful hardwood floors, and plenty of windows. A reclaimed wood accent wall adds charm to the dining area and opens up to an outdoor seating area through a glass accordion door.
Studio S Squared Architecture
1000 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA 95128
Founded on the belief that establishing positive customer relationships is the key to successful projects, Studio S Squared Architecture has completed hundreds of homes and commercial buildings across the Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. Eugene H. Sakai, co-founder and president of the company, is a longstanding member of the AIA, a LEED accredited professional, a former member of the San Jose Arts Commission, and a past Chair of its Public Art Committee.
Since its founding, the firm has committed to sustainable building practices. The company also commits a percentage of its annual billable hours to local nonprofits in need of pro-bono architectural services. With a team of highly skilled and knowledgeable architects and designers, the company has earned a multitude of five-star reviews and customer referrals for its excellent designs.
One of the company’s most impressive projects is this Mountain View contemporary ranch. Studio S Squared Architecture designed the home with its trademark great room with 11-foot ceilings and a massive rear-facing covered patio. It also features an independent rental unit that is carefully blended into the design.
William Maston Architect & Associates
384 Castro St., Mountain View, CA 94041
William Maston Architect and Associates is a full-service architecture firm based in Mountain View. Specializing in designing single-family residences, multifamily developments, and mixed-use properties, the team has built a wide-ranging portfolio of projects of varying styles and sizes. Founder Bill Maston is a licensed architect who has lived in Mountain View and the Los Altos area for over five decades. He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s School of Architecture and is a registered member of the NCARB.
The company designed a Santa Barbara Spanish Revival home in Los Altos. Located on a 23-acre site, the 8,600-square-foot project features a two-and-a-half-story circular staircase with an observation viewing area of San Francisco. Other timeless features of the home include open-beamed ceilings, plastered fireplaces, and traditional floor tiles.
How can I find an architect or home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best architects and home builders in and near Mountain View. If you don’t see your project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Residential architects in Palo Alto
Residential architects in California
Custom home builders in Sunnyvale
Custom home builders in Mountain View
