We are so grateful for Jessica's help in getting a permit for our addition. It's been a long…read moreprocess which she forewarned us about. We've never worked with an architect before so we didn't know what to expect. Jessica is a great listener. She actually listens to her clients and makes recommendations based on that. We highly recommend Jessica! We look forward to the completion of our project. Thank you Jessica and your team!

Thank you JSD for taking on our "small" addition of bedroom extension with full bath. Jessica and…read moreteam were easy to work with and answered/addressed our every concern and request. I provided her with an Illustrator idea plan that she changed into the legal schedules for city approval. Although we did not tap into her interior design expertise we witnessed a detailed oriented creative problem solver every step of our architect client relationship. Cheers!

As a structural engineer, I have worked with James on many projects. He is a seasoned pro who…read moreunderstands the balance between art and science, which makes our projects efficient and successful. He is fun to work with and a high-quality architect. We recommend him for your project!

We are in the process of rebuilding our home. Jim helped with the design and plans. He probably…read moresaved our marriage. Think Designing for the Sexes. Great guy; great to work with.

We worked with Allen through Bay Builders and he did a great job bringing my vision to life. I had…read morea lot of ideas, but didn't know where to start and Allen patiently guided me through the process, answering all my questions big or small. We really appreciated his attentiveness. I would definitely recommend Sofiov and especially Allen for interior design needs.

Allen did an incredible job designing our new kitchen and 3 bathrooms in San Carlos. He was…read moremeticulous in his preparation and guided us throughout the whole project. He worked with us on selecting materials and knew exactly the vibe we were going for. His visualizations matched the final result almost exactly. We could not recommend Allen enough. Thank you!

The Kastrop group are very professional company. My house was a total re-build and both Mike &…read moreBrian made this incredible task go very smooth. I would definitely use them again and would recommend the Kastrop Group !!!

We found The Kastrop Group through the Better Business Bureau. We were looking to renovate about…read more50% of our home and raising the floor in our laundry room to create a 2nd bathroom for the house. Brian V. came over to check out our house and to see if our expectations were realistic. He was very calm and organized. We found him very knowledgeable, especially about the San Mateo County permit & planning department. We interviewed a couple of other architeture firms, but found Brian at The Kastrop Group to be the best. Once we hired Kastrop, Brian quickly set up a time to come measure the entire house. Our 80 year old cottage had no central air/heat, so Brian referred us to an engineering firm that would help work out all the  computations that the permit department would need to approve this addition. As we moved through the architectural design process, Brian came up with solutions that would give us what we needed, along with a few suggestions that would provide more storage near our new second bathroom. We found Brian and Kastrop to be very accomodating with no drama. We like it when there is no drama. Once the architectural drawings were approved, we wanted to know if we had budgeted enough for the renovation. So, Kastrop had a General Contractor look at the plans and visit our house to give us some preliminary numbers. This was a big help for us and we were so thankful for this extra step. The Kastrop Group is an outstanding architecture firm that took us through the entire architecture design process with a gentle hand and no drama. We were grateful for their professionalism and their recommendations. If you are considering renovating your house, your first stop should be The Kastrop Group for impressive architectural expertise and being a great partner to navigate the county permit process.

Kyle designed my new house from a SB9 subdivision in San Jose. He is very patient and courteous,…read morevery knowledgeable about the city codes, and always responds in time. His design is elegant and efficient, he oversaw the project and answered all the questions promptly even after the project is well into the late stage. Highly recommend!

This is a very long overdue review. We was lucky to came across Kyle's service at the beginning of…read moreCOVID when we wanted to remodel our home in Santa Clara. I don't know how to express our sincere thanks for everything he did for us. Kyle is very professional and super nice. He patiently work with us over 6 months to come up with the most economical and yet practical design and great flow of the space. He tirelessly met us constantly to make sure we were comfortable throughout the process. His experience and knowledge was integral of our project. His price was very reasonable. I would have pay much more for the experience I have with him. I highly recommend Kyle service to anyone.

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Geoff and his team on a full demolition and new…read moreconstruction of a single family home with ADU in San Francisco. We loved our experience and wholeheartedly endorse Winder Gibson to anyone looking for a full service architecture firm. From the outset, Geoff and his team demonstrated an exceptional understanding of our family's needs, which they transformed into a beautiful house design that resonates with our aspirations and lifestyle. We are currently transitioning to the construction phase, and are excited to raise our family in such a thoughtfully designed space. Also, Geoff and team are true experts at navigating the San Francisco permitting process. They efficiently moved us through permitting, both reacting to feedback from the city and helping us manage our neighbors. Honestly, we could not have permitted the house without their guidance. In a city where building homes can be difficult, the one two punch of beautiful design + the knowledge and skill to get it across the line was invaluable. We are so appreciative of Geoff and team.

We found our way to Winder Gibson through our realtor and could not be more grateful. We worked…read moreclosely with Geoff and Daniel to design our dream home. They were an absolute pleasure to work with and took on all details at every stage, including handling a difficult neighbor. At the same time, they were efficient and budget conscious, helping us stay on track both financially and time-line wise. They made what could be an overwhelming process move smoothly and enjoyably. We unreservedly recommend Winder Gibson.

Worked with them on a partial interior redesign of our living and dining spaces, and I have to say…read morethey bring a rare mix of vision and practicality. From the first meeting, the team took the time to understand not just how we use the space, but also what kind of atmosphere we wanted for family dinners and evenings with friends. They proposed solutions that were modern yet warm, clean lines natural materials and lighting choices that make the space feel inviting without being overdesigned. What I really appreciated was their attention to detail. Things like flow between the kitchen and dining area, sightlines to the garden and even how the furniture would interact with the architecture, all of it was considered. Communication was excellent throughout: clear updates, quick responses and they navigated the city requirements smoothly so I didn't have to. The result feels both stylish and deeply livable. Hosting dinners now feels effortless, the layout encourages conversation and the finishes add just the right amount of elegance. If you care about design that balances beauty with functionality, this team delivers. They're not just designing a house, they're designing a home.

I was ready to be impressed when I interview Malika for my house as I saw her "Startrek" House in…read morethe Wall Street Journal. However, after speaking with her, I can't believe her lack of knowledge for my City. It appears she only knows how to build modern houses in Los Altos. Chip, her partner had previously helped us with a small additional over 15 years ago. I felt he was much more grounded and gave sound advice instead of a sales job that was going to cost a lot more just for bragging rights.

I've worked with many talented professionals, but Alex Tzang stands out as one of the best…read morearchitects I've collaborated with. He has an exceptional ability to translate vision into thoughtful, functional, and beautifully executed designs. Alex listens carefully, understands goals and constraints, and consistently delivers creative solutions that exceed expectations. His communication is clear, his process is organized, and he works seamlessly with contractors and stakeholders to keep projects on track. I highly recommend Alex Tzang to anyone seeking an architect who combines creativity, precision, and professionalism.

Several of my clients have used Alex for ADU and remodels. All very happy with his services,…read moreresponsiveness, prices and knowledge.

We purchased an older, fixer upper on a hillside in Portola Valley with the hopes of rebuilding it…read moreinto our dream home. We aimed to generate income by converting the former primary bedroom into a rentable, attached JADU. This mean building a new primary BR on the back, downhill side of the house, along with creating a new family room, and office. The front of the house was definitely old style, and did not, in any way, match our vision of a contemporary, hi-tech, look. I had interviewed other architects who had suggested we add a new front foyer, but I wasn't thrilled about the look presented, which was basically to add a gable roof addition ("A" frame shape add-on) at at the front, that would be harmonious with the rest of the house. In my first meeting with Davide, he suggested something that changed the whole dynamic of the house. He suggested that rather than be constrained by trying to harmonize the new entry with the old architecture, we could add a new layer to the front of the house, and change the look completely. This also creates a new corridor at the front that greatly improves the flow/circulation from the front to the back. It was a genius idea! This new layer at the front of the house gives us a spectacular new front entrance, plus a new corridor with tall ceilings. He also very skillfully raised the ceiling heights in many parts of the house so it feels like the rooms were expanded (when only the height changed). I am attaching a photo of the original house and Davide's concept for the new design. I want to add that we are not demolishing any part of the old house so we are not losing any existing square footage. We are just adding and "splicing the old with the new". For the new room additions at the back, he integrated the complex siting of the hillside PBR & family room to flow seamlessly into the same level of the existing house on. I have very strong ideas of what I want in terms of design, and Davide has been very patient in working through my ideas. He uses his critical eye and design experience to guide me so I don't get off track, and we can get to where it is I want to end up. We are now in the building permit process, and I can't wait for construction to start. I will be updating this post when the house is finished with more photos, because I want to show off the dramatic transformation between the "before" and "after". If you are looking for a miracle transformation, Davide Gianella is the architect who can make this dream come true for you! I can recommend him 100%

I reached out to Davide about two or three months ago to see if I could hire him to help design my…read moreremodel. He was really polite and so friendly and VERYYYY transparent that he was inundated with some work at the moment and that he gives his all to 1-2 projects at a time, so that they get the best out of him. He then gave me a suggested timeline, which unfortunately didn't match with what we had in mind - but no worries! I enjoyed the interaction and his work is beautiful, and I truly appreciate the communication and friendliness that transpired in our conversations.

After our modular home manufacturer unexpectedly canceled our order, we felt lost and unsure of how…read moreto move forward with building a new second unit on our property. That's when we met Doug -- and everything changed. Our project wasn't simple. The permit required us not only to build a brand-new house but also to renovate and legalize the existing old house. Doug stepped in, redesigned the new unit beautifully, and reimagined the old house so the two complemented each other perfectly. The construction of the new home went incredibly smoothly. Doug's professionalism, craftsmanship, and attention to detail were evident every step of the way. The quality of his work truly exceeded our expectations. The renovation of the old house turned out to be much more complex than expected, but Doug handled every challenge with steady leadership and creativity. He brought the right people together, found thoughtful solutions, and kept the project moving forward steadily through each difficulty. His dedication and calm problem-solving turned a demanding process into a truly rewarding experience. The whole process took nearly five years -- but in the end, we have two beautiful homes that feel cohesive, warm, and full of life. Doug's commitment, honesty, and heart carried us through. We're deeply grateful for his expertise and friendship throughout this journey. If you're looking for someone who truly cares about your home as much as you do, Doug and his team are the ones to call. We can't recommend them enough. Please feel free to contact me if you want the reference. My phone: 408-800-6698. Michael

Douglas Fernandez of Fernandez Design and Builders in San Jose remodeled my entire home in 2007 and…read moredid such an excellent job; my home now is so beautiful and unique & a great fit for my way of life. The good news is that he was so fair and honest; he really watched costs which is so unusual, and in the end, I could be so much more innovative and creative and do so much more than I could have been with any another contracting firm; even more importantly, we had such a good time working together (even the demolition which I dreaded was a piece of cake because of Doug). I left throughout the remodel on many business trips, & there was so much progress and usually a surprising new touch Doug added every time I returned home. Since then, Doug has been there for me on many other occasions. The good news is that Doug is happy with and enjoys smaller remodeling jobs as well. Last year my outside deck came away from its stucco wall & needed a complete retrofit, including adding more structural columns to further support the deck. He loves a good challenge and coming up with great creative and exciting solutions that are brilliant, yet not expensive. Doug's cell is 510-377-9711. Do not hesitate to contact me for further information; my cell is 650-804-8894. Best wishes, Kaaren Powers