Butler Armsden Architects

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Butler Armsden Architects Architecture Firm

Butler Armsden Architects is an award-winning, high-end residential architecture firm in San Francisco, founded by husband and wife Lewis Butler and Catherine Armsden, in 1985. For over 30 years the firm has specialized in new and renovation homes in San Francisco, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Stinson Beach and Atherton and Aspen. Managing Principals Federico Engel and Glenda Flaim, along with CFO Chandra Campbell, now lead a team of 27 from the firm's office in Lower Pacific Heights.

10/26/2026

Our latest project in Portola Valley, the Redwood Grove House takes full advantage of the surrounding views and redwood trees, creates more connected common spaces, and adds an upper-story ADU that supports the home’s continued evolution.

Architecture:
Contractor: JSD Construction, Inc.
Interior Design: ballonSTUDIO Interior Design
Photography: Adam Potts
Videography: Dane Deaner

The restoration of our Stonewall project began with what was already there. Its authentic mid-century character became t...
10/22/2026

The restoration of our Stonewall project began with what was already there. Its authentic mid-century character became the foundation for a more unified material language and a stronger sense of flow, refining and elevating the experience from room to room, creating new moments within the existing architecture, and bringing greater connection between each level of the house.

Architecture: Butler Armsden Architects
Interior Design: Carmen René Smith Carmen Smith | Aquilo Interiors
Photography: Tim Hirschmann
Styling: leila nichols
Featured in: Architectural Digest

Our Valley of the Moon retreat was designed with equal attention to composition; three connected volumes of different he...
10/19/2026

Our Valley of the Moon retreat was designed with equal attention to composition; three connected volumes of different heights wrap around the center of the podium, and the spaces inside them are carefully scaled: small enough for introspection, big enough for taking in the landscape. Large picture windows frame the forest beyond and highlight the home’s airy quality by capturing the cool valley breeze.

Architecture and Interior Design: Butler Armsden Architects
General Contractor: ThompsonSuskind
Photographer: Joe Fletcher
Featured in: Dezeen The Local Project Dwell est living

“Historically, kitchens have been separated from living rooms and dining rooms—that was definitely the case here,” expla...
10/14/2026

“Historically, kitchens have been separated from living rooms and dining rooms—that was definitely the case here,” explains Federico Engel, of this Berkeley Hills project, featured in Architectural Digest.

“The big gesture was to open the kitchen to the great room. And that’s very much how Andrew lives. He loves to entertain and cook for people.”

See the full home at our link in bio.

Architecture: Butler Armsden Architects
Interior Design: Carmen René Smith Carmen Smith | Aquilo Interiors
Photography: Tim Hirschmann
Styling: leila nichols
Featured in: Architectural Digest

Thrilled to see our Stonewall project featured in Architectural Digest! This project was an exercise in the preservation...
10/13/2026

Thrilled to see our Stonewall project featured in Architectural Digest!

This project was an exercise in the preservation of architectural identity—retaining, celebrating, and elevating this home’s mid-century design DNA was key in our restoration. To do it, we focused on creating a more cohesive material and experiential continuity throughout the house, introducing new spatial moments, and strengthening the connections between floors.

“Built by regionalist architect Robert Ratcliff, the treehouse-like abode is defined by its steeply-pitched gable roof, teak paneling, and subtly angled walls—all of which Butler Armsden Architects and Aquilo Interiors painstakingly restored or replaced in near-identical fashion.”

Read the feature in full at our link in bio.

Architecture: Butler Armsden Architects
Interior Design: Carmen René Smith Carmen Smith | Aquilo Interiors
Photography: Tim Hirschmann
Words: Morgan Goldberg
Styling: leila nichols

Timeless California sensibility, in design form.Architecture and Interior Design: Butler Armsden ArchitectsGeneral Const...
10/12/2026

Timeless California sensibility, in design form.

Architecture and Interior Design: Butler Armsden Architects
General Construction: FMA Builders
Landscape Design: Lutsko Associates
Photography: Joe Fletcher
Styling: Mikhael Romain
Featured in: The Local Project
Words by: Lavanya Chopra

Perched on a wooded stretch overlooking the Valley of the Moon, this family retreat in Sonoma Valley is at once warm and...
10/08/2026

Perched on a wooded stretch overlooking the Valley of the Moon, this family retreat in Sonoma Valley is at once warm and embracing, and light and spacious.

Architecture and Interior Design: Butler Armsden Architects
General Contractor: ThompsonSuskind
Photographer: Joe Fletcher
Featured in: Dezeen The Local Project Dwell estliving.com Sunset Magazine

Spa-inspired bathroom design that connects our clients with the natural beauty of their Portola Valley property.Architec...
10/06/2026

Spa-inspired bathroom design that connects our clients with the natural beauty of their Portola Valley property.

Architecture and Interior Design: Butler Armsden Architects
General Construction:
Landscape Design:
Photography: Joe Fletcher
Featured in: The Local Project

We are excited to share that Butler Armsden Architects has been named one of America’s Top 200 Residential Architects by...
10/05/2026

We are excited to share that Butler Armsden Architects has been named one of America’s Top 200 Residential Architects by Forbes.

Every Butler Armsden project grows out of a deep partnership with our clients. Together, we develop a shared architectural language, and coalesce ideas into a singular vision, guided by decades of experience. But underneath it all is a passion for what we do—an enduring commitment to detail, singularity, and collaboration.

We want to thank our clients, collaborators, and team for making this work possible.

Architecture: Butler Armsden Architects
Landscape Design: Lutsko Associates
General Contractor: FMA Builders
Photography: Peter Lyons

10/01/2026

Our design elevates the Mid-Century Modern language of this 1964 home, and deepens its connection to the landscape.

Architecture:
Contractor: JSD Construction, Inc.
Interior Design: ballonSTUDIO Interior Design
Photography: Adam Potts

Address

1420 Sutter Street, Fl First
San Francisco, CA
94109

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+14156745554

Website

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