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!

Jessica has been an amazing partner during our remodel journey. She worked with us through the…read morestarts and stops of the process and helped us realize the vision for our remodel. She was incredibly informative and communicative during the permit review process, turning what we had heard could be a nightmare into a fairly smooth process. Jessica and her team were always responsive and ready with answers to our many questions. We would not hesitate to recommend Jessica and the JSD Architecture team to anyone looking to remodel their house.

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.

As a realtor I have amassed quite a list of contacts, but Lynn Fisher of Ogawa Fisher is truly a…read moregem and one I find myself referring to clients constantly. She has done three projects for clients of mine (all in Palo Alto) ranging from a Craftsman style bungalow to an ultra-contemporary residence, and the results have been equally incredible. For an architect she is unparalleled in terms of personal service...she is a phenomenal listener and is truly a collaborative worker. One thing she's been particularly good at is working with clients who have found a property with "good bones" but want to renovate it into a home that feels custom built for their taste and needs. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Her collaborative working style, attention to detail and her flexibility with regard to budget are unmatched in the business.

Ogawa Fisher took our sad little kitchen and designed us a new, beautiful, open space where…read moreeveryone wants to hang out. They were professional and creative every step of the way, from initial discussions to final punchlist. Highly recommended!

We were delighted with the work Topos did for us. Peter is a great listener and presented us with…read moredifferent options, made revisions to the initial mock ups per our requests and helped execute on the option we selected. He helped us find an excellent contractor and his team managed our build. We are very happy with the results and the level of service.

I'm happy to strongly endorse Peter Baltay and his crew at Topos Architects as both a design firm…read moreand as a project management service. When my wife I are were contemplating building a home, we approached Topos as we had seen a previous spec project they had done and loved it. Design elements include maximizing space utilization, minimizing hallways, lots of light and windows, beautiful wood accents, high quality trim and attention to detail all appealed to us. During our first meeting when I complained about not finding any good lots for sale, Peter pointed out a few, including one particular lot that was not yet on MLS. The location was perfect for us and I ended up buying it 7 days later. The take home is that Peter has contacts in the area that give his clients access to info not always publicly available. We interviewed many architects and came back to Topos. I didn't like how some wanted to deliver a set of plans and walk away, leaving the builder to struggle with implementation. I also didn't like how some were 'out-dated' - I wanted computer-based models so I could visualize my home before it was built. As an engineer type, Peter and Topos were a great fit. I also wanted a firm who would help oversee the process from start to end and not and not pass the potato as soon as things went wrong (without paying through the nose for a personal assistant). I knew from previous contractor experience that building a home wasn't a cake walk and I wanted someone with integrity who I would work with through the entire process - Peter gave me that impression. Perhaps most of all, I wanted to know I was paying a fair price. I hated the standard fixed bid way of building houses where you're always combatting the general contractor over quality and price. I wanted complete transparency. Topos was prepared to offer this and had multiple previous projects to illustrate how this could be done and what I should expect. I want to address some of the negative comments in one review on this site directly. Building a house is not like Extreme Makeover where you go on vacation, return home and say 'Move that Bus' and have the house of your dreams. It is a process with literally thousands of decisions and over a dozen sub contractors. Mistakes are going to happen. Some people are going to do poor work some days. The city is probably going to say you can't do something essential to your design. Some tiles look great in the store but don't work in your house. Bad things happen. If you don't like a design element, it isn't Peter's fault, it is your fault. What you want on your team is someone that will work with you to effectively manage these things, prevent them when possible and deal with them when unavoidable. I can't imagine Peter and Topos doing a much better on this front. I'm willing to bet the negative reviewer never gave Topos a chance to fix what bothered her. In our case Peter and Topos were very up-front about what services they offer and where we might consider augmenting with our own consultants. Many people hire a lighting designer, interior designer, landscape design, etc.. We only hired a landscape guy and did the rest with Topos to save money. It is up to you. Look at previous homes and see what meets your standards and what doesn't. Oh, the comment about not working hard is absurd. Peter is there 8-7 most days. And, when things do go wrong, Topos stands behind the job. In our case a tile sub messed up the master bath. Peter made them tear out thousands in tile and redo it from scratch. While the sub provided the labor, Peter paid for all the tile out of pocket claiming they should have caught it earlier. This is someone who admits a mistake and takes responsibility for fixing it. For a bonus-factor, Peter is an amazing diplomat. He worked with some frustrated neighbors to make them advocates for our project, he worked with the city to find a way top get our gutters and design approved, and most of all he worked with me (which is no easy task) for 18 months to build a beautiful home. One other thing I'll add - in retrospect I undervalued the importance of working with subs that are beholden to the general contractor for their next job. While Topos let me select which contractor to use, there is an advantage to going with ones that they have used in the past and will use again. Because Topos builds a number of projects each year, many of the best subs work from one project to the next (provided you elect to go with them). Because of this dependence, they are incentivized to finish through 110% on your project. There were a few cases where a sub has had to come back many times (often fixing someone else's problems) and they have done so without complaint and without additional 'change orders'. They do it because it is right and they want to stay on Topos' good side.

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

I recently had the pleasure of working with Eyal. He demonstrated incredible skill and expertise…read moreand went above and beyond to deliver an outstanding result which got me access to an over the counter permit with SF's building department - which saved a lot of headache! His attention to detail and ability to understand and translate my vision into reality was truly remarkable. He took the time to listen to my ideas and requirements, and then used their expertise to create a design that got though the approval process without any delay. Throughout the entire process, he maintained a high level of professionalism and communication and kept me informed every step of the way Eyal's work truly speaks for itself, and I loved working with such a skilled, talented and reliable architect!

Working with Prestin Ravid Architects on our home addition and renovation has been amazing…read more Navigating the City of Palo Alto's complex permit process could have been stressful, but Eyal and his team made it smooth and enjoyable. With Eyal's extensive experience, his strategic, efficient approach and clear communication helped us get our permit in about half the expected time. His designs are thoughtful, detail-oriented, and perfectly balance aesthetics and practicality. Highly recommend!

Just moved into my house and am just floored by the incredible work done by the team at Greenberg!…read moreI was originally skeptical of such a major remodel - every friend had horror stories of contactors doing sub par work, disappearing, completely, etc. I was really glad to work with Ohad, our project manager for the project. He'd worked with one of our friends previously, and so we knew he'd do a great job for our project. We also loved Greenberg's integrated approach. The architect, constructions, design and management was all done by Greenberg. This meant that the project from top to bottom was aligned with the team actually doing the construction work. My top priorities were 1) a modern home design 2) a job done with high quality 3) low stress. Ohad / Greenberg helped deliver on all of these aspects in spades. The last thing I wanted to do was have to coordinate with flaky contractors, have to re-do low quality work after a long day at work. Ohad kept the project on track and handled all the hassle of dealing with subcontractors & inspectors. Greenberg probably won't be the cheapest contractor you'll talk to, but as the saying goes - you get what you pay for. Quality work, up to code, and no drama is well worth the cost. Ohad worked with us throughout the project to consider different budget options, and gave candid advice about where he thought the budget would be best spent. Overall, highly recommend. I was referred by a friend and have put multiple friends in touch with Greenberg for their projects as well. Everyone is floored by house nice our remodel turned out and will 100% be in touch in the future for any future projects we have.

We'd been planning to renovate our 100yo house for 20 years, but with its corner location and tiny…read moresize, it was near impossible to get permitted by the City of Palo Alto. We went with Greenberg because they knew how to do modern houses and how to deal with the City. We went from horrible hideous uninsulated shack to a gorgeous gem where we can Age in Place! Every single person who has walked in says, "WOW! It's beautiful! It's incredible what you guys have done!" We have friends & professionals who have built/renovated many houses all exclaim what a high-end luxe job this was! We could not have done this without Greenberg. In particular, we worked with the wonderful Ohad Sherion throughout the process who managed all the subs, city departments involved, neighbors, vendors, etc. Our attention was elsewhere as we were very busy with our work, caring for our elders, so it was invaluable that Ohad kept us up-to-date throughout the process. Ohad was able to make our wishes come true, including bathrooms with custom tiles that were no longer available--so he found us an artisan who recreated them by hand. To make the small space look and feel spacious, we went with an open concept which left few walls to hang art. From the beginning, we worked with Ohad to create a design to showcase our art collection. Ohad is persistent and works to get projects not only functional but beautiful. For example, we have a unique front door which needed to be tweaked and he patiently worked with subs to make it happen. My husband was thrilled that we ended up with a house with superb insulation (including sound), up-to-date plumbing, electrical, and lighting systems. He feels great about the new roof and solar panels. But I am in love with the amazing personal details that make this place a home (finally). We are so grateful to Ohad. Go with Greenberg to make your dream come true!

Malika is an incredibly talented and experienced architect with an exceptional eye for design. Her…read morework feels open, bright, and thoughtfully proportioned. On top of that, her team is professional, highly responsive, and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend.

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.