Saikley Architects

07/23/2025

Check out our latest blog post: How To Modernize A Victorian Home Without Losing It’s Soul.

Guide to creating a modern Victorian home in the SF Bay Area. Elaborate woodwork, distinctive period details, opportunities, obstacles for contemporary living.

07/09/2024

Environmentally Efficient Elegance

Building a Straw Bale Net Zero Carbon Home

With more than forty percent of greenhouse gases worldwide coming from the construction industry, including housing, it’s no wonder architects, developers, and homeowners are getting serious about cutting CO2 emissions and building net-zero carbon homes. The goal of net-zero carbon homes is to be less reliant or completely free of greenhouse gas energy-producing fossil fuels and non-sustainable materials to build, heat, cool and power a home. CO2 emissions account for eighty percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US in 2022, a major factor in climate change worldwide.

Building a Straw Bale Net Zero Carbon Home...architects, developers, and homeowners cutting CO2 emissions and building net-zero carbon homes.

05/23/2024

Historic Cottage in Mountain View, California

This home is protected as historically significant. The project was both historic preservation and a significant addition. The clients love the home’s character, while they also wanted to add space for their family, and fully renovate in order to modernize all the systems, fixtures and finishes. The new design blends new with old, keeps the small scale of the house while adding square footage, and retains the existing front façade. The new shape of the home interlocks with the expansive rear yard, with good flow for indoor-outdoor living. The new structure was carefully designed to protect existing redwood trees.

Architect – Saikley Architects
Landscape Architect – Jenna Bayer Garden Design
Structural Engineer – DP Advanced Engineering
MEP Engineer – Hensel Consulting Engineers
General Contractor: MTM Building Group
3d Renderings – Noa Younse



https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/historic-cottage-mountain-view/

05/23/2024

Grand Craftsman in Monte Sereno, California

Along with renovations to modernize and upgrade this historically significant Craftsman home, we expanded usable space at the upper floor with new dormers to gain ceiling height within the existing footprint of the house. All new work is visually in keeping with the original style of the home. The home is on the city’s historical inventory. Saikley Architects took the project through a Use Permit and public hearing process with the City Council to gain approvals for the alterations. New structural work was carefully considered for minimal impact on the historic finishes of the existing home.



https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/grand-craftsman/

05/23/2024

Modern Craftsman in Campbell, California

Our clients were living in a small house in need of repair on this quiet residential street corner. They wanted a larger but relatively modest home for their growing family. We assessed several options and did a thorough vetting with the city planning and building departments to determine whether the optimal approach would be an addition/remodel or new construction. Although often the former is better for cost and resources, in this case new construction was the better approach.

The design is based on patterns from traditional Craftsman homes, both in the details and in the layout of spaces. The building systems are designed for high performance and convenience. We oriented the building to give a street presence to both of its corner faces, and to embrace the rear yard.

Architect: Saikley Architects
Landscape Architect: Larman Garro Landscape Architecture
Structural Engineer: DP Advanced Engineering
Civil Engineer: Lea & Braze Engineering
General Contractor: MTM Building Group
3d Renderings: Pixel Patch Creative
Photography: Alexandra Saikley



https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-craftsman/

02/11/2023

Our updated take on a traditional kitchen includes Shaker style cabinet doors, rich wood finishes and vintage-style subway tile. Practical touches include upper cabinets with glass doors for display, and a large island with a prep sink and bar seating. Busy family? This kitchen is perfect!

https://saikleyarchitects.com/projects/

01/31/2023

Transport Your Modern Ranch House Into The 21st Century: Ranch houses are beloved for their open, airy floor plans that cater to entertaining as easily as everyday family living. Typically single-story structures with linear, L or U-shaped layouts, ranch homes feature large windows that convey abundant light. Interiors flow effortlessly, and there is a natural transition between the indoors and outdoors. In its most basic form, this style of residential architecture became popular across the United States after World War II. By the 1960s and 70s, ranch style reached more extravagant levels, often featuring sunken living rooms and cathedral ceilings.



READ MORE: https://saikleyarchitects.com/transport-your-modern-ranch-house-into-the-21st-century/

01/27/2023

Vintage-inspired subway tiles and recycled wood on the island make for a warm, inviting kitchen. We used open shelves instead of upper cabinets to create a lighter look. Black cabinets anchor the space, lit by windows on two walls and plenty of custom lighting. Such a livable design!



https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/hilltop-contemporary/

01/13/2023

Think your project is too small for an architect? Even small projects need expert help. We helped the owners of this grand Colonial Revival home restore their front entry area and staircase with correct period detailing, including a pergola over the garage.



https://saikleyarchitects.com

01/05/2023

Want to restore and renovate a classic home? We can help! This amazing Cliff May adobe received a careful update. The kitchen oozes period charm but has all the modern day conveniences. A skylight floods the space with light and the original redwood ceilings add cozy warmth. In Los Altos, CA



View the project: https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/cliff-may-adobe-update/

12/21/2022

It's all in the details! For this contemporary hilltop home in Richmond, CA we custom-designed architectural details for the facade and interior. This horizontal slat detail was continued into the landscape as a custom fence design for a truly unique exterior.



https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/hilltop-contemporary/

12/09/2022

Have a home project on the horizon? Here are the things to consider when hiring an architect.

Choosing an architect: You are ready to make your home in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. It’s crucial to consider the best residential architects in the San Francisco Bay Area for your particular project.