Wow. I'm blown away. I'm working with him on a current project and I'm extremely fortunate that our paths have crossed. I'm a fairly detailed person, and Dave puts me to shame. Most times I'll double check work for thoroughness and sense when a vendor is lazy, not Dave. He goes way above and beyond, and the fact that he shows genuine care in the project is such a rare service. His responsiveness and follow through is A++++!!!! read more

We were lucky enough to have Dave Deppen as our architect for a bathroom remodel on our Victorian home in San Rafael. Dave is a meticulous planner, he listens and pays attention to what WE wanted for our new addition, and he took all our concerns into consideration in the drawings he prepared. I was really amazed by how much he paid attention to our dreams, and he was very easy to work with. No drama, no fuss... just quietly competent and thorough. An attentive communicator and a super nice guy too. Will absolutely use him on any future projects. read more

We wanted to build an addition to the back of our home in San Rafael, and could not be happier with the design Dave created for us! He helped us understand the pros and cons of different approaches. He found the right balance of respecting the character of our existing home and providing creative design ideas. Dave really cared about us and he is great to work with. read more

Dave and I have been colleagues in pioneering healthy, environmentally friendly architecture for over 25 years. Nobody I know has a broader, deeper grasp of ecological design than Dave. He combines the best of green design with sweating the technical details. Marin County residents, you are fortunate to have Dave as your neighbor and local nature-friendly architect. He'll do a great job for you, and your life will be enriched by working with him. read more

For 16 years I've consulted Dave about a wide range of architectural issues, and he has always amazed me on many fronts: * When he steps into a room (even one that he's only visiting socially!), he enters with heightened awareness and takes a moment to soak it all in: the east-west orientation, the amount of natural light streaming in, the objects on display, what the space means to and reflects about the owner--all of it. * Some green architects are so strident about their beliefs that it's almost as if they think humans should suffer and sacrifice in order to be as green as can be. Not Dave. He wants to create as pleasant, comfortable, and light-filled a space as possible. He strives to make spaces (interior and exterior) in which people can have wonderful, healthy, productive exchanges and connections. Some architects design to satisfy their own egos, but Dave is entirely self-effacing and puts clients at the center of his vision. He is a humanist in the best sense of the word. * For some people, green building is a relatively new and even faddish approach. That couldn't be further from the truth for Dave. He has steeped himself in that world for about five decades, learning from the masters and figuring out how to adapt their ideas to reality. He takes the long view (recently telling me in detail how the Bay Area looked 1,000 years ago, particularly from animals' perspective!) but somehow stays grounded in concrete concerns about creating wonderful spaces. * In a world where many people are insincere and slick, Dave stands out as unlike anyone I've ever met. When I speak, he engages fully and listens with his whole heart and brain, demonstrating an incredible generosity with his time. He takes everything in and makes insightful comments that show a deep level of understanding and intelligence as he synthesizes and builds on whatever I have said. He puts me entirely at ease as few people can. I've always been able to trust that he'll be honest and thorough that he'll care, and he has never let me down. read more

David Deppen is a creative adaptable designer good at various types of projects from small to large buildings and home improvements. He is conscientious with solid follow through until the project is completed. Owners like working with Dave. read more

In working with Dave at our home in San Rafael we quickly realized how insightful, practical and deeply committed to excellence he is. We especially appreciated his expertise on incorporating non-toxic natural options in the plans for a new bathroom addition. Dave is very detailed and he asked a lot of questions taking everything into consideration before creating a drawing and providing the plans. He was pleasantly easy to work with and is a genuinely nice guy. We would readily use him again on any future projects. read more

We had the worst experience with Dave. He took liberties in his design, over built the addition, costing us extra money. He also charged us for time designing details of the kitchen when we told him we had a kitchen designer. He just needed to draw the addition. In general, people want their addition to blend with the rest of the architecture their house. Unfortunately, Dave designed our addition with a steep pitch, making the addition look like a church behind our house. He had left out the street elevation (the most important one) on the blueprints so we never saw the street view of the addition compared to the rest of the house. When the contractor erected the trusses and we drove up, it looked ridiculous ! Our neighbor drove by, at that moment, asking if we where building a separate building In the back of the house. Our contractor had to tear down those trusses and order new ones that more similarly matched our existing roof line. This cost us several thousands more and Dave still has not reimbursed us or offered to make it right in any way. It's just been a nightmare, please be aware. read more

Dave is a wonderful and talented architect. He has helped us achieve the home we have always wanted. Listens to our needs and proficient in green/environmental sensitivities and non toxic issues which I face. He has made it so we can live in a space without worrying about such things because our home is bullet proof! He has an eye for details. The spec plans he designs makes life easy for a contractor. We valve his opinion and has always helped us with ideas to make our home even more beautiful interior and exterior. I can't say enough what an amazing architect as well as an individual! read more

Dave is a special sort of architect. One that cares about aesthetic, cares about the environment, and most importantly cares about the client's wants and needs! He's a pleasure to work with and really knows building code, building science, and material compatibility. He's comfortable with all sorts of projects, from commercial and institutional to residential. He helped on a complicated roof case that is headed to court, and his approach and detailed drawings and specifications were just what the attorneys needed. Highly recommended. read more

Wow. I have been working as a contractor in California since 1982. I have worked with many architects. Dave Deppen stands so far above the lot as an architect it is truly amazing. He has worked in the office of Van Der Ryn, the former State Architect of Gov. Jerry Brown, and the pioneer of solar construction, Macolm Wells. I introduced him to some of my clients and he was so experienced, knowledgable and humble, that they all felt at home. He constantly attends workshops to keep his skills cutting edge and is the most detail oriented designer i have ever worked with. Though he is amazingly organized and thorough, he was very reasonably priced. He has great skill in dealing with municipalities. Most importantly, his designs are both super functional, environmentally very friendly and cutting edge, AND BEAUTIFUL. Everyone is thrilled working- being taken care of by him- with him. As a fellow professional who has seen it all in my 45 years in the business, this architect is the very best on all levels. I can find no fault with any aspect of his performance and recommend him to anyone needing design, planning, drafting services. (and he is a college professor and won all kinds of awards). Do you think i am really happy being able to refer Mr. Deppen? Yes, that is a certainty. Richard Schwartz Richard Schwartz, Builder Lic # 420792 B-1 California Contractor read more

When we needed to relocate our business, Easy Automotive an auto repair shop and office, we were delighted to learn that one of our long-time customers was a local architect who could assist us. Dave Deppen was great with the practical aspects, following through with all our needs, navigating the city codes, and staying cost-conscious. Dave made a space that was far superior to our initial starting point. He found a great way to reconfigure the entry way and office area. We now have a super welcoming and comfortable customer area, and a staff counter that gives our staff an ability to both interact with our customers and see our entire shop operations- all in one view through special picture windows. We love it! As a multi-year Pacific Sun "Best-Of-Marin" award winner our business has high standards. Dave also has high standards and we recommend him highly. read more

Since 2010 Dave has been our go-to architect for our family properties in San Rafael. Dave has produced the full design and permit drawings for some projects and provided crucial technical consulting on others. The projects have included a complex residential apartment configuration, accessibility upgrades to a commercial facility, assistance with meeting city-required modifications, evaluation of existing buildings, etc. We appreciate Dave's creativity, technical expertise and attention to detail. And, just as much, we appreciate Dave's ability to listen to us and clearly explain options. We are so grateful that Dave always puts our needs, as the client and owner, first. He really cares about our best interests. Also, as other business needs have come up, Dave has been able to recommend to us the best local professionals to help us. Thank you, Dave! read more

There is no better architect for you to work with than Dave Deppen. I have worked with him for over 17 years on many projects. Our major project together was the Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies at De Anza College, which is now internationally famous. Dave was the lead design architect and project manager. I was the executive director of the Center and part of what is called the client team. From the beginning, Dave's skills at listening and facilitating group design discussions, his compassion for all involved, and his ability to synthesize our complex goals was extraordinary. Dave combined outstanding technical abilities with a tireless dedication to our environmental mandates, budget and schedule. Ever since we opened the Kirsch Center, it has been consistently praised by all of those who use it. It just feels great to be in such a well-designed space. Some of the finest natural lighting, resource conservation measures and social spaces you will find are in this building. In recent years, I have continued to work with Dave on architectural upgrade projects and environmental planning projects. Dave is always a pleasure to work with. Don't miss your chance to work with him! read more