We're thrilled to write this glowing review for the incredible team of architects at Klopf Architecture, who transformed our mid-century modern home into a work of art. From the very beginning, working with John Klopf, Angela Todorova, and the team at Klopf Architecture was an absolute pleasure, and the results have exceeded our wildest expectations. Klopf Architecture is a true visionary, and their deep appreciation for mid-century modern design is evident in every aspect of their work. They masterfully blended the classic elements of the era with a fresh, contemporary twist, creating a living space that's both timeless and uniquely tailored to my family's needs. What struck us most about Klopf Architecture and John's team was their ability to listen and understand our vision for the project. They took the time to get to know our tastes and preferences, and then skillfully translated those ideas into a design that was nothing short of breathtaking. Their attention to detail and commitment to preserving the integrity of the original mid-century modern architecture while introducing innovative and sustainable elements truly sets them apart. Throughout the entire project, communication was seamless and transparent. John, Angela, and the team at Klopf Architecture were always available to address any questions or concerns, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. Their professionalism and dedication to staying within the project's budget were truly commendable. I'd also like to mention that our builder, Augie, from Coast to Coast Development, was equally skilled and also a critical element to realizing the vision that John, Angela and the team at Klopf Architecture had dreamt up. The combination of Klopf Architecture and Coast to Coast Development was without a doubt, the best of the best, and we feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with each of them. The end result is a mid-century modern home that not only pays homage to the past but also celebrates the future of design and sustainability. We can't recommend Klopf Architecture highly enough. If you are looking for an architect who is not only passionate about their craft, but also genuinely invested in bringing your dream home to life, look no further. With Klopf, you won't only find a skilled professional but a true partner in your journey to creating the home of your dreams. Thank you, John, for your outstanding work, trustworthiness, and unwavering dedication to making our mid-century modern home a masterpiece. You have truly exceeded all our expectations, and we're grateful for the beauty and functionality you've brought into our lives read more

Klopf Architecture - Architects Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

We met John 4 years ago when we were thinking of remodeling. Life happened and we ended up moving around a lot, but always kept in touch with John. We'd ask him about potential properties and opinions on eichler renovations, and he was always responsive and helpful. We recently spoke with John about our newest project, and he remembers all the details of our needs and preferences, which speaks to the level of customer service! I really appreciate his ability to immediately envision the possibilities the moment he steps into a space. He cares about the details, both obvious and subtle, that make a home feel right. Unfortunately our project does not fit the kind of homes he specializes in (which we had a hunch about), but he spent a lot of time going through all the considerations with us anyway. If we ever build a modern home, John will be at the top of our list. read more

We chose Klopf Architecture for the addition of a master suite, a laundry room and a garage to the front of our house. I was hesitant to call after my husband showed me the pics on their website. His projects are amazing and expensive looking and we were looking to do a humble addition with a modest budget. John had a section titled "Should you work with an architect?" on his website that we found helpful to go through before we met with him at our kitchen table. We had never worked with an architect before and that information gave focus to our first meeting. Our tiny 70-year-old house is a copy of a Cliff May design and didn't look like the spectacular homes featured on John's website, but he never regarded our little project with anything but his full attention. We had a big hiccup with the City of Cupertino when they would not permit our design as submitted. The design had a one-car garage and the city required a two-car garage. (Apparently they have since changed that.) John and Angela came to city hall with us to try to get the design approved, but we were not successful. John came back with a revised design within 72 hours, and that was over a weekend. The new design was approved and constrution started immediately. We worked closely with Angela on our project and were very happy that she was on board. She was incredibly detail-oriented, very professional, prompt in all communication, and we never felt like there was anything we couldn't bring up with her, which is really important when you're going back and forth about the smallest details. She never treated any of our inquiries like they were insignificant. I would also like to add that it has been six years since the completion of our project and we are still thrilled with how our design turned out. There isn't anything we would change. The excellent customer service continues, as well. John responds immediately to any questions we have for him, from what paint color did we use, to recommendations for a landscape designer. Little did we know that what seemed like a casual kitchen table meeting with some sketches would turn into a years-long relationship. We would highly recommend Klopf Architecture to friends and family and would go back to them for future projects. read more

I had a call with the principal, John Klopf and another one of their associates to discuss my new build project on my lot. When it came to the topic of budget, I said I'm thinking $2.2M for the build, John Klopf then said with a laugh "you need to think bigger." Then he recommended we buy an existing house and do a remodel project instead. He wished us luck at the end of the convo. I've never been laughed at and shamed for having a $2.2M budget for a project, but clearly John Klopf is too good for any project less than $1,500 per sq ft. Don't bother wasting your time talking to them. read more

We hired Klopf Architecture to renovate our 1960s Eichler which was in dire need of updating. The scope of our project including removing an interior wall, expanding and reformatting the kitchen layout, eliminating a hall closet to expand the master bathroom, in addition to updating much of the plumbing and electrical and refinishing most interior surfaces. Our goal was to be true to the Eichler aesthetic but update with modern finishes and original touches- Klopf was the perfect team for this. While we had a pretty good idea of the things we wanted to do, John and his team were an invaluable resource with a wealth of knowledge and definitely worth the investment. They created a very detailed set of plans including materials, fixtures and finishes which made the contractor bidding process an easy comparison and ensured that the construction process went smoothly. Klopf's taste, experience and approach to design made it easy to trust them throughout the process. John also helped us tailor our plans based on our budget so that we focused on work that should be done at the same time while identifying items that could be done at a later date. We are very happy with the outcome of our project thanks to Klopf Architecture. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to remodel an Eichler or for any other modern style project. read more

See all

We hired Klopf to remodel our bedroom/bathroom wing, and they did a phenomenal job. I was repeatedly impressed by their attention to detail. We had a particularly tricky situation with our glass-heavy bathroom, and they delivered a design that was seamless. We've already recommended them to some friends of ours, and would recommend again! read more

We hired John and his team to help us with a complete renovation of a midcentury home. We had an absolutely fantastic experience from beginning to end. We love John's style and approach to design, and especially his deep experience and appreciation for midcentury architecture. His houses are just beautiful. Our project turned out just as we had hoped it would. The construction was on time and under budget. The quality of Klopf design is something you can see clearly from John's portfolio. There are some other important points that might not be so obvious: (1) Klopf construction drawings are meticulous. Many contractors we talked to commented on this and it became really clear as the process went on. Though we hadn't really understood it going in, this turned out to be incredibly important. The best way to control costs is to have a fixed price contract. But such a contract is only helpful to the extent that what you're contracting on is clear. Most architects leave lots of details vague, and this creates all kinds of scope for contractors to add cost later on. ("The drawings aren't clear on how this foundation is going to be poured; if you want it poured that way, it will cost 30% more...") (2) Everyone wants to work with Klopf. That means when it came to soliciting bids and working with contractors, consultants, etc., they were eager to work with us. And during the project gave us a lot of leverage because while those we were working with may or may not have cared about their relationship with us they cared a lot about their relationship with John. (3) John runs a super efficient shop and this translates into less cost and less time from the client. They answer emails fast and are great at communication. They are happy to propose great default options for just about everything so you only need to spend time on the decisions you care about. They track details and don't let anything slip through the cracks. (4) Another example of the way John makes things efficient is the process of finding the consultants, etc. Rather than either (i) making us go out and find all those other people ourselves or (ii) hiring them himself and then charging us a 25% markup on their services (which is common), he gave us several recommendations of people he had worked with then let us negotiate to hire them directly. (5) The fact that John has so much experience with midcentury houses means he knows how to make them beautiful while keeping costs (relatively) low. A lot of good architects are used to working with super-rich clients who just want to get the fanciest of everything. That's not John's style at all. He knows where spending more will add real value and where it won't. (6) John is definitely not the cheapest architect around, but he's a lot less expensive than top shelf SF firms that are the only ones I think can touch Klopf in terms of quality. read more

It's been a year since we've completed our renovation, and we're thrilled with the results and we're so happy we worked with John Klopf and his team. We own an Eichler and had heard so many horror stories of remodeling projects gone wrong. It was important during the hiring process to find someone who was very familiar with Eichlers and would respect the Eichler aesthetic and integrate our needs. We found the experience and perspective that Klopf possessed were unparalleled. In addition, as first-time renovators, it was great to have someone in our corner who was very communicative, professional, punctual, honest, and patient. From the permitting process to the finishing touches, Klopf and our lead designer Yegvenia were there to answer all our questions and provide their valuable insights. If we ever find ourselves in a situation where we need to hire an architect or we're starting another renovation project, we're definitely reaching out to Klopf Architecture again. read more

When my husband and I began the process of planning for our remodel, we had a very hard time finding a reputable architect, who would respond to our calls, and who matched our modern style. So, I went out on a limb and contacted Klopf Architecture after seeing their beautiful work in Dwell Magazine. I was so impressed by their portfolio, but was worried that they would not be interested in our project or they'd be too expensive. Thankfully, I was BLOWN away by their interest in our project (which started out small and grew to involve our whole house) and reasonable prices. John and Ethan were very responsive and took the time to get to know us, the desires for the flow/function of our home. They gave us amazing options for the floor plan of our home, which lead us to expand the scope of our project and we couldn't be happier with the results. I also found that they were so respectful of our budget and worked to design within our limits. I was also happy to find out that throughout the construction process, there were very few issues that came up, requiring changes. The drawings were so detailed and well thought out, that it made the construction process virtually seamless. Additionally, the Klopf team provided assistance with picking out some of our finishes, so that when it came time for me to make final selections, I had a document ready to go. It was so helpful to have direction in this area. I could go on and on about the excellence of Klopf and their team and have offered to be a reference for them. If you are looking for a modern style architect, I could not imagine finding any better team. Thank you Klopf, for helping us create our dream home! read more

See all

John and the team did an excellent job for our Eichler renovation project including addition of an auxiliary unit. We wanted to work with someone who is versed with modern design and knows Eichler. In our past projects it was often times a bit of challenge to maintain modern aesthetics. We are glad that we hired Klopf Architecture along with one of the contractors they recommended. Our primary goal was to upgrade the infrastructure and refresh interior/exterior without modifying the layout of the house. The result came out with a consistently modern look throughout including a bathroom skylight and built-in living room storage down to door/window trim details. The auxiliary unit looks as if it was part of the original design. Selection of hardware, etc. was straightforward because of a good collection the designer provided for us to choose from. The contractor also did a great job in putting the design details in place. We didn't have any major problems you might hear elsewhere. The only thing was the whole project took much longer than we initially expected. We're still grateful the team pulled this together under an unusual circumstance and with our sometimes peculiar requests. There were a few surprises mostly in terms of usability discovered once we started living in the house after completion of the construction, but nothing major. I can recommend John and the team for those who are looking to update their Eichler home maintaining its modern flair. read more

We had a wonderful experience working with the Klopf team for our major Eichler remodeling in 2016. From the first meeting with John and his project manager/architect Liu, I was impressed with their professionalism and the high standards of work they could delivered. Throughout the 10 months process, they were very responsive with any questions we had, meticulously organized with information regarding finishes and materials. That made the painful process in decision making so much easier. John is especially helpful in helping us resolve issues with our contractor, with his expertise, and great reputation in the Eichler community, the contractors are more likely to listen to him than the homeowners. That made a huge difference in our experience. We are very happy with both esthetic and quality of the design, and Klopf Architecture's excellent services as well. If I ever wanted to remodel another Eichler home, I would use John again! read more

We have worked with Klopf Architecture on 3 house projects. We chose them because of their excellent reputation working on mid century modern homes and we have been so pleased with all of our projects. Angela has been the primary lead on the 3 projects but John has also been involved and they all collaborate to obtain the best outcome. The design has been excellent as well as the communication and organization. I would highly recommend this company! read more

We hired Klopf Architecture to design our new construction residence, a mid-century modern post and beam house. Given John Klopf's track record with fabulous Eichler remodels and additions, we felt confident that he "gets" the style. John and Geoff were very patient with us, listened to our wishes and took our feedback well. We went through several iterations of the design until it all felt right for us. In the end, they designed a beautiful house that accommodates our sense of practicality, yet makes the building look harmonious and aesthetic. We decided to retain Klopf for the construction phase. I initially thought this was a luxury, but we were surprised how many decisions still needed to be made during construction, despite the very detailed plans. Having Geoff and John to rely on to answer design questions, and to keep an eye on the GC, was very much worth it. read more

Our initial in-person meeting with John Klopf was very positive. John is very personable, has a lot of experience, and is engaged and easy to talk to. I also think he is a great 'sales' person, which is why he does the initial meeting, even though you'll be assigned to someone else in his firm as your architect. They say that they 'all work together behind the scenes,' which, if true, is sad because that 'collaboration' yielded very few creative or interesting ideas for our project. Perhaps if you have at least half a million to spend on your remodel, you can get more better results. The architect who was assigned to us could not have been a worse fit. From our initial meeting all the way to the end, she never expressed any enthusiasm for our house, its potential, or the collaboration in general. No rapport was ever built with us and our communication with her was always challenging, which made for an unpleasant experience and yielded poor results. I did express our concerns directly to John when there was still time to do something about the problem, but nothing improved and, more importantly, the 'ideas' and options offered were rarely inspired or anything that we could not, and did not, think of ourselves. We've spoken with friends about their experiences with architects and designers, and they've all said raved about the ideas and solutions their architects brought to the table. We were looking forward to having someone to help us come up with ideas we had never thought of, but overall, the experience was a total letdown and colossal waste of money. I know John and his team have plenty of business and do not need 'smaller' jobs like ours, but I hope sharing my experience helps others to make a more informed choice. read more

Working as a project manager at a general contractor, I'm well aware of the challenges of a large remodel. Through my work I crossed path briefly with Geoff at Klopf and when it was time to do my own remodel Klopf was at the top of the list of architects due to their expertise in mid century modern work and what I felt would be a good fit personality-wise with me and my husband. I could not have been more right! John and Geoff sat down with us and listened to our ideas and came back with 5 separate layouts, one of which was actually to flip the layout front to back, which was an idea we had initially brushed off in conversation. But they believed in the idea for the home and presented it anyway and they were absolutely right in the end. Expertise means nudging when necessary and we are better off for it. Geoff was an excellent partner, handling ideas, watching the process, helping to guide us and the contractor and making sure all the details were right from light fixture selection all the way up to how we do the unique wood siding. What we have in the end is the perfect idea of a living space, full of light, functioning with our lives and a place we enjoy being inside (important during a pandemic!). Could not be happier with Klopf and would make the same decision all over again. read more

We wanted to update our Eichler with modern amenities while preserving the essence of the original design. The Klopf team (we worked with John and Angela, who were both excellent) immediately got what we were trying to do and were our most professional partners throughout the process. Our contractor, Michael Meyer, Fine Woodworking, was the third partner in the trio and Klopf's team was able to work well with them and subs effortlessly. One of my favorite parts of the project was when we were trying to get dimensions right for our fireplace based on an inspiration photo we really liked. Angela used 3D modeling and send rendered images for our consideration of many different layouts so we could be sure we'd get it exactly right. (you can judge for yourself from the photo below) Overall, we are really pleased and have no reservations about recommending the whole team. read more

We were extremely impressed and happy with the work of John and his team. They came to do an on site survey of our Eichler. They were very pleasant, punctual and thorough. We had some unusual concerns that they creatively accommodated in stunning yet functional ways. John and company were also a one stop shop. They connected us to reliable contractors and subs who were fabulous. We were so happy with the experience and results that we requested designs for future projects and were blown away with their creative yet functional approach, flexibility and personal touch. We feel like John and his team are part of our home. We wouldn't think of doing any remodeling without consulting them first. read more

John and Angela helped move our tiny hidden away kitchen into the center of our house. It's open, airy, modern and a joy to cook in. They helped us choose so many of our finishes and made our master bathroom larger without adding any square footage! They helped us open up our kitchen into our family room by widening a doorway. Everybody needs to find an architect that works for them, and it was clear that John and Angela knew how to work with us. They were easy going, would listen to our thoughts and concerns, and would make helpful recommendations. They are a wealth of knowledge on midcentury modern. Our contractor loved them, too! read more

We hired Klopf Architecture to remodel our 1968 Eichler and are so happy we did! Geoff Campen worked on our project and he really listened to us while designing an incredible master bedroom and bath addition and extensive remodel to our existing kitchen and bathrooms. It was important to us to retain the original warmth of our house while updating and expanding it for our needs and growing family. The addition is seamless and looks like it was always a part of the home and we are thrilled with how everything turned out. We hired Klopf to work with us for the duration of the construction and I highly recommend this, as well. Geoff came to the weekly meetings with our contractor and was a tireless advocate on our behalf. His knowledge and understanding of the construction process and how we wanted our home to look were essential to the success of the project. I highly recommend Klopf Architecture! read more

We worked with Klopf Architecture to remodel the Eichler we had lived in for 14 years. We had ideas about the space, but we had never done a remodel. We wanted to hire a professional that could not only do a modern design but who could also guide us through the construction process. John and his team met all expectations. I would not hesitate to work with Klopf Architecture again. John's conduct is highly ethical and professional, and those values are apparent throughout his company. John and his staff are prompt and clear communicators. They guided us through a lot of decision making such as picking our structural engineer, picking our contractor, and even specific material selection. In each decision, we were given some suggestions and guidelines, yet our individual style was not squashed. No decision or design detail was too small to be discussed, and I never felt uncomfortable asking a question. During the building process, John and Yegvenia met with us every week. I felt reassured that they were working with the contractor to follow codes and to make sure building details were properly executed. Hiring them to oversee the general contractor helped alleviate much of the stress of a remodel. Finally, Klopf's team has a lot of experience working with the City of Palo Alto's permit department, so we were generally able to avoid a lot of potential problems and delays. I unequivocally recommend Klopf Architecture! read more

Oh, the joys of home construction. You hear every horror story in the book, but let me reassure you it can be done without too much stress. The main reason we had a successful renovation - from brainstorming, navigating the city's permit requirements, monitoring construction, to moving back in - was because of the guidance and talents of John Klopf. John has the patience of a saint and really listens to all your ideas, even the crazy ones, and is willing to incorporate them into his design. He will never push his ideas on you, but is always ready with a clever solution of his own. Every contractor who bid on our job commented on how thorough John's plans were. And here's a little tip: a contractor who we did not hire said we were lucky to have such detailed plans because they allowed for full construction bids with little room for the dreaded (and costly) change orders down the road. We've learned contractors and architects are not always the best of friends, but John worked effortlessly with our contractor, which was another reason the project went so smoothly. John and his staff are friendly, intelligent, creative and committed to excellent design and customer service. Except for a beautiful house (which he can also deliver), what more could you ask for in an architect. read more

You can not ask for a more professional and well executed architectural experience. John has amazing vision for design, and also is extremely knowledgeable about the inner working of all the city relations. But above all, he is a pleasure to work with. We would never use anyone else. Thanks, John! read more

Yes, as good as it gets! Let me preface by saying I didn't progress beyond the first phone call with John, that's because what I'm looking to do with the house does not match his areas of focus. I did hear about Eichlers being one of his specialties and wow, his Eichlers are nice! Anyway, John shared some info on projects like mine, took my info and broadcasted it with folks he knows. Totally made my day! read more

When I first contacted John through his website, I wasn't even sure an expansion was possible (we were interested in adding a bedroom and bathroom for my mom). He was able to look up my address on google maps and provide some preliminary input. We also met with another highly recommended architect but felt most comfortable with John. Throughout the project, John and Liu (project manager) were very responsive to our questions and emails and willing to carefully consider our needs and wishes while preserving the feel of our Eichler. Together with our contractor Scott Flegel, their team made the renovation process as smooth as possible (of course, there were some unexpected bumps along the way but each time, they were transparent and made an effort to fix the problem). In the end, we were happy with the outcome. read more

We loved working with Klopf Architecture on our remodel. John and Klara helped us keep the mid-century modern feel of our Eichler while updating the house to better fit our needs. We took the house down to the studs and redid the electrical, plumbing, and windows. We also rearranged the bathroom layouts, moved the kitchen to open up the floor plan even more, and added on a small addition. Overall, everyone we worked with at Klopf Architecture had great attention to detail and was very professional. John and Klara were very responsive to our questions, concerns, and needs. We had a couple in person meetings at the beginning, and then set up a shared Evernote group and Houzz ideabooks. Through lots of discussions and email threads, we ended up with a design that was exactly what we wanted. During construction, we had weekly site meetings with the contractor and Klopf. This was so helpful for troubleshooting issues as they came up. Klara was so organized and really helped make the construction process go more smoothly, she was also great about connecting with manufacturers and getting technical information when we needed it. Working with John and Klara was the highlight of our remodel, and we'd definitely recommend them! read more

I hired Klopf Architecture to design a major remodel of my Eichler home, including a complete reconstruction of the bedroom wing (3 bedrooms and 2 baths) and a significant kitchen expansion. I enthusiastically recommend Klopf Architecture to other potential clients based on the very positive experience I had. When we met to discuss the project, John Klopf asked a lot of questions and listened very carefully to my answers to make sure that he understood what I was trying to accomplish by remodeling, which was the major reason I chose him to work on my project. His subsequent work, from the conceptual designs to the final selection of components and finishes, showed that he really took this to heart and kept my priorities in the forefront rather than trying to impose any preconceived ideas on the project. He came up with creative, simple and elegant solutions to design problems, preserving and even enhancing the mid-century modern aesthetic of the house's design with sensible updating. He remained sensitive to cost, offering economical design alternatives so that I could stay within the project budget. It was a pleasure working with John on the project. He demonstrated high standards of personal integrity and was a calming influence throughout the inevitable stresses of a major remodeling project with his unfailing graciousness. read more

We had worked with Klopf Architecture in 2005/2006 with a major addition & renovation of our 1944 rancher, and had such a fabulous experience that we spent several subsequent years trying to find another house to "Klopf". In 2013 we came across the opportunity to purchase a run-down 1964 rare atrium-model Eichler in Burlingame, CA with the intention of restoring & updating. We made the decision to purchase this fixer-upper ONLY if John Klopf and his team would be available to help us bring it back to life. With the help of experienced Eichler remodeling professionals like architect John Klopf and his team, our Eichler was upgraded while still staying true to the mid-century modern Eichler spirit. He brought the aesthetic back to 1964, but upgraded the structure to 2014. In our experience, John has a fantastic aesthetic, a positive attitude, great professionalism and communication, and was a great resource for advice as our projects went from concept to completion. The Eichler was a "full gut" restore/rescue: the house, which was previously inhabited by 12+/- people as a halfway house, and had endured tragic and significant abuse. The wear & tear was horrifying: mystery stains on the ceiling panels; mismatched lighting & paint; grungy carpet; gouged, sloppily patched & horribly stained mahogany walls; chipped & cracked tiles; rusty fixtures; countless fire hazards and exposed wires, etc. 100% of the windows needed to be replaced with double-paned tempered glass, and 100% of the electrical system & wiring needed to be replaced. The configuration of the bathrooms, hall closet & laundry was awkward and impractical, but the bones of the house were good, as were the original copper-pipes of the radiant heating system, though the boiler system did get upgraded to a compact combo unit, controllable with a modern "Nest" thermostat. John reconfigured some of the bathroom/laundry room & hallway space and was able to insert a half bathroom into the previously inefficient configuration of this area of the house. The kitchen was in sad shape and the dining room was dark & depressing...by replacing an expanse of dining room wall to the outside with a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass, then removing the wall separating the dining room and living rooms, John was able to flood the space with natural light and openness, drastically improving the connection with the greenery outdoors. He had the added challenge of a rotting wood & untempered glass front wall of the atrium...it was so unstable it had to be rebuilt, but he was able to move the wall a few feet towards the street, tying it in with an existing structural beam, lending added stability to the new glass wall and front door configuration. This led to an expansion in square footage for the already ample atrium space. By continuing the interior (exterior rated) tile through the outdoor space, the entire property is one seamless, flawless, zen feast for the eyes. The entire renovation from the initial meeting to move-in date and the close of the "punch list" was 10 months. We are thrilled with the open and bright end result! read more