925-322-6822
book a consultation

Design that Unlocks Potential

Residential Architecture and ADUs for the San Francisco Bay Area

Unlock Your Home’s Potential

Residential Architecture for modern Bay Area Living

At Dwelling Lab, we specialize in helping homeowners and investors throughout the Bay Area turn underutilized space into long-term value. 

As experienced Bay Area residential architects we design purpose-driven living spaces—like Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), sensitive home remodels and additions, and infill expansions—that look good and boost property performance.

Learn More

How our Vision Helps Optimize your Property’s Potential

At Dwelling Lab, we blend thoughtful architecture with sharp development insight to increase property value with home design that pays off.

Reconfigure or expand your home to better support your lifestyle or increase home value.

See Remodeling Options

Add flexible living space or rental income with expertly designed secondary units.

Explore ADU Possibilities

From raw lot to finished home, we guide the entire design-build process.

Start Your Custom Home Plan

Upgrade interior spaces for businesses, landlords, and creative uses. 

View Commercial Work

Understand what’s possible before you commit to a design or build. 

Request a Feasibility Study

Servicing the
Bay Area

From San Francisco to Oakland, Berkeley to Walnut Creek, we design with local insight and guide your project from idea to reality, starting with a simple conversation or feasibility study.

Start Your Project
View Our Work

Featured Projects

Multifamily in Midtown, Sacramento
Spanish Revival in Los Gatos
Turn Services Administration Building
Consulate of Ireland San Francisco
Madison Square Gardens 
San Francisco HQ
Economic Development Center South San Francisco
Lincoln House
Albany House
Kensington Remodel
Santiago Ave ADU
On the Boards…
Sacramento Cottages
Clayton ADU
Modern Living in Mill Valley

Our Process

Download our Client Guide to Understand Our Process

    1

    Project Investigation & Planning

    We meet owners to discuss the project to understand their needs. We visit the property to field measure so we can produce base drawings if they are needed.
    2

    Design Process

    In Schematic Design, we prepare design options and present plans, elevations, sections in sketch format with a view to refining a preferred design that meets your requirements.

 Design development continues the refinement of a preferred design with developed drawings along with preliminary research in materials, specifications, and procurement of any specialist consultants.
    3

    Construction Documents

    In this phase, we finalize all design systems, materials and finishes with the Owner with a view to producing a detailed set of drawings and specifications.

 This effort includes coordination of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Structural designs (if required).
    4

    Building Permit Adminstration

    We have been through the Planning and Building Permitting processes many times and know how to navigate it so as to move it along quicker, try to minimize impact fees, and generally make it as smooth a process as it can be.
    5

    Bidding and Negotiation

    We respond to any Bidder RFIs and Issue Addendums, and review Contractor bids with the Owner and assist with selection.
    6

    Construction Observation

    We provide observation & construction support to build per the design intent by Weekly Owner-Architect-Contractor meetings on-site (as req d) responding to Requests for Information (RFIs) and issue supplementary design formation, and review shop drawings, submittals, and payment applications, as necessary

    Featured Design Stories

    Desiging for Fire Resilience – Lessons from Altadena
    ADU in Clayton: Design Story
    Understanding the Architecture of the Irish Pub
    Where Can I Actually Build an ADU?
    How to Legalize an ADU  
    How an Architectural Project Begins…
    Creative Deal-making in the Bay Area
    The Great Deal that Nobody Wanted
    Create a more Flexible Home with an ADU
    Building a Dream Team for your Dream Home

    Trusted by People Like You

    Neil and his team at Dwelling Lab were amazing! From the initial design until my final inspection they were very responsive and communicative. We had a number of hurdles we had to overcome throughout my project and Neil made the entire process much smoother. What started as a conversation between my wife and I ended in a beautiful ADU conversion, far exceeding our expectations. I would highly recommend Dwelling Lab for any design, planning, or consulting needs!
    Zak Renouf
    Neil helped us find creative opportunities to make our deals work in a competitive market through simple but effective design.
    Bridget Liu
    Going forward with any home remodel or building project is quite stressful. Neil Ginty is calm and unflappable regardless any big or small issues that may arise. He is also very responsive and efficient. The pace of how fast you want to move the process is totally up to you. Neil will also tell you if your idea is not a great one; or he’ll tell you the idea is great but will need a bit more research before it can be implemented in some better form or fashion. We are building an attached ADU over a back-filled pool hole. The project is somewhat complicated due to the pool hole and the need to attach the new built onto the existing house. I think if we did not have Neil, the process would have been much, much harder.
    Betty Tseng
    Highly recommend Dwelling Lab for residential and commercial services! Prompt, reliable, and efficient. Neil, Andres, and Alex are experienced architects who are thoughtful and deliver professional work. They can handle all your architectural needs without a doubt.
    Francheska Joy Pondevida

    Everyone
    Should Live in a Well-designed Home

    Dwelling Lab is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and can remotely service anywhere in California. Our physical residential architecture service extends anywhere between Sacramento and San Jose.

 

    Start Your Journey