WHY MENLO ARCHITECTURE

Experience. Expertise. Empathy.

At Menlo Architecture, we are committed to providing design solutions that fulfill the unique needs of each client. To that end, we leverage our breadth of experience and knowledge of architecture to make your space the best version it could possibly be. Because your home–and the process during which we create it–should inspire and excite you.

WHAT WE OFFER

We provide full-service architectural design for high-end residential homes. Our work includes renovations, residential additions, and new construction.

 

With our extensive experience with historic neighborhoods, we are experts at maintaining the character of a house while making it updated and functional for those who call it home.

 


 
 

OUR PROCESS

  • To get started, we will discuss your project goals, identify the overall scope of the project, and set the groundwork for what you want to accomplish with your space. Our team will also figure out what your programmatic needs are and perform preliminary code and zoning reviews.

  • In this highly collaborative phase, we will explore the initial ideas for the new layout of your home, review inspiration imagery, and study the home’s exterior as well as the function and flow of the proposed floor plan. We will likely meet several times, soliciting your feedback to ensure we end up with a plan that best fits your needs. Our team will also discuss potential contractors with you, including a builder.

  • Here, our team will revise the drawings with more specificity than what was shown in schematic design, giving consideration to smaller details like cabinetry and finishes. By the end of this phase the majority of the architectural finishes will have been selected, and initial contact with your ideal builder will be made.

  • Now that the design phase is complete, our team finalizes all of the technical design components, such as any required structural, electrical, or mechanical plans. We’ll provide a package of deliverables to assist with permitting and to serve as the bid documents for a contract with a builder.

  • Our team can be as involved (or not involved) as you want during this stage, depending on your past experience with the construction process. If you choose to engage us for CA services, we will attend project coordination meetings with the General Contractor, review subcontractor submittals, and visit the job site periodically to ensure everything is constructed in a timely and accurate manner.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • At Menlo, we are committed to guiding you throughout the design process, communicating well, and ensuring you have all the information you need to make decisions about your project. We are also committed to advising you well and providing the design solutions that we think will serve you the best both now and in the long run. Also–we’ll mention that while some architects have the reputation of being ego-forward, we fall on the opposite end of that spectrum; we feel humbled when clients trust us with their home and want to use our knowledge to help them achieve the best possible end product.

  • Yes, absolutely. We know deciding where to live is no small decision. Our team is happy to advise you by reviewing the options for your current space and evaluating that, with associated costs, against moving. You deserve to be fully informed before making a final call!

  • We really enjoy the process from start to finish, but we especially love witnessing the excitement on our clients’ faces at the sight of their new space. Our team feels grateful and honored to be able to impact people’s lives by bringing their design visions to life.

  • To get started, simply fill out our contact form, and a member of our team will be in touch. We look forward to connecting with you.

  • It depends on the scope and size of your project. Some projects take six months, while others take sixteen. That being said, we are dedicated to staying transparent with you from the start, giving you an estimated completion date and updating you along the way if our timeframe needs to change. Knowing that all good things take time, we provide the best possible end result by working in a timely manner but never rushing or taking shortcuts.

  • We’d be happy to. We have plenty of industry contacts, and can either make a recommendation for a builder we already know or help you find someone else who aligns with your project.

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