Residential Architecture and ADUs for the San Francisco Bay Area
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.
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.
Add flexible living space or rental income with expertly designed secondary units.
From raw lot to finished home, we guide the entire design-build process.
Upgrade interior spaces for businesses, landlords, and creative uses.
Understand what’s possible before you commit to a design or build.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
We respond to any Bidder RFIs and Issue Addendums, and review Contractor bids with the Owner and assist with selection.
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
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.
