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    Cal Design Studio

    5.0 (7 reviews)
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    Services - Cal Design Studio

    Architectural design

    Architectural project management

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    7 years ago

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    Marta A.

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Cal Design Studio

    Are you a Licensed California Architect?

    No, but I have a master’s degree of architecture and work with a licensed structural engineer which is sufficient for residential work in California.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    N&A Designs Group - San Jose, 2000 sf new construction one story contemporary house, and landscaping

    N&A Designs Group

    (15 reviews)

    Working with Samah has been amazing. We sought her expertise for our 570 sq.ft. tiny home (ADU)…read moresince we required a custom plan because the available area to build in our backyard isn't rectangular. Samah met with us, surveyed the site, and drafted a plan based on our wants and also gave recommendations from her experience. We went with her experience! The architectural plans and structural calculations (we used her referral) were delivered to our city and county in such detail, everyone was surprised. This detail is what we want to highlight. It makes the build much easier, almost like lego, and the inspection process smooth. We had to go through various inspections: - Underground plumbing - Rebar - Foundation - Exterior shear wall - Exterior lath - Rough framing - Roof - Wall insulation - Window flashing - Drywall - Shower and backing - Exterior slats - Electrical meter - Planning final - Solar - Final Absolutely wonderful.

    Working with Samah Nasser was an outstanding experience from start to finish. This is our second…read moreproject with her, and once again, she exceeded our expectations by combining creativity with practicality in a way that made the entire process feel seamless and inspiring. From the initial concept discussions, she took the time to truly understand our vision, lifestyle, and priorities. Her ability to translate our ideas into a design that was both beautiful and highly functional made every detail feel intentional, bringing together aesthetics, efficiency, and comfort perfectly. Communication was clear and consistent throughout the project. She was responsive, patient with our questions, and proactive in offering thoughtful solutions when challenges arose. Her professionalism and attention to detail gave us complete confidence at every stage. What stood out most was her ability to balance big-picture thinking with meticulous execution. The final result is a space that not only looks incredible but also feels tailored specifically to us. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented, reliable architect who is genuinely invested in delivering exceptional work. It was an absolute pleasure working with Samah.

    Fernandez Designs & Builders

    Fernandez Designs & Builders

    (27 reviews)

    North Valley

    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

    Bay Area Design & Construction - Modern Bath.

    Bay Area Design & Construction

    (76 reviews)

    I had pleasure of working with Payman and his associates Dario and Ginu on my home renovation…read moreproject. From the very beginning they were professional responsive and transparent about the design and construction project. Payman took the time to explain different design options in detail--outlining clear timelines, estimated costs, and how each plan would fit my goals and budget. His approach was thoughtful and collaborative, ensuring that every design decision made sense for my home's layout and potential. Throughout the process, communication was excellent. Payman and his team kept me updated on city approvals, vendor coordination, and project timelines. They were patient in answering all my questions and flexible with revisions as the design evolved. I truly appreciated their honesty, attention to detail, and commitment to quality. It's clear that Bay Area Design and Construction takes great pride in their workmanship and client satisfaction. I would highly recommend Payman to anyone looking for a reliable, skilled, and trustworthy design and construction team in the Bay Area.

    I've used Payman and Bay Area Design and Construction for two big projects now, and I honestly…read morewouldn't go anywhere else. They first rebuilt my San Jose home back in 2017. The work was excellent, but what really impressed me was the follow-up. A year later, Payman sent his crew back just to handle the little adjustments that come with a house settling. Even years later, he's still helpful whenever I need to get in touch with one of his subcontractors for maintenance. Because of that trust, I hired him again last year for a major remodel of my vacation home, and he didn't disappoint me as always. Payman is easily the most responsive contractor I've worked with, he gets back to every email within 24 hours, no matter how complex the issue is. His project management is top-tier. The crew is respectful and polite, and they actually finished the job ahead of schedule. It's rare to find a contractor who is this efficient and actually stands by their work long-term. Highly recommended.

    EDR Design Build - Beautiful Open Kitchen & Living room, featuring big skylights, big windows, bi-fold door, kitchen island, and a fireplace in the living room

    EDR Design Build

    (40 reviews)

    Working with EDR Design Build has been a genuinely positive experience. Eddie and Sarmad are a…read morewell-balanced partnership, each bringing complementary strengths to the table. Eddie is friendly, approachable, and highly attentive - always keen to help and proactive about pulling together the right team for the job. Sarmad brings a strong counterbalance with his focus and execution, making the collaboration feel both creative and well-managed. Most importantly, this teamwork consistently results in satisfied, happy clients and projects that run smoothly, with every detail taken care of, from concept through to completion.

    We worked with EDR to build an extension. We met with about half a dozen contractors before signing…read morewith EDR. We looked for a project manager who was knowledgeable and to the point. We liked Sarmad's communication style - methodical and efficient, no extra words. Sarmad was incredibly efficient at managing our project. He made sure to schedule inspections right as we reached each checkpoint in the construction, so every day was optimized. As a result, our project from demolition to completion took just about 4 months. One aspect of our project that we worked closely with Sarmad on was to customize a computer server closet. Specifically, we wanted the closet to be soundproofed and have its own temperature control. Sarmad was very accommodating in our requests to install soundproofing insulation, and even suggested QuietRock drywall to enhance soundproofing. We also worked with the team to install conduits throughout the extension for future cable runs. Throughout the process, Sarmad was responsive to our questions and our requests.

    Acadia Architecture - New Design- Front Entrance

    Acadia Architecture

    (30 reviews)

    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.

    Cal Design Studio - architects - Updated May 2026

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