Craig O'Connell Architecture

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United States
San Francisco, CA
Craig O'Connell Architecture

Improving lives through design
Architecture | New Construction and Large Scale Remodels
http://www We have been named Best of Houzz every year since 2014.

Craig O’Connell Architecture will skillfully guide your vision from design to build. Our goal is to strike the right balance between your aesthetic, your functional needs and the natural environment. The true reward is creating a space that improves your life. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, we believe architecture and construction must work together harmoniously. We have strong relationships

with builders, structural engineers, interior designers, permit expeditors and more and can help curate a whole team to ensure your architectural dreams come to life. Celebrating over ten years in business, we bring a sustainable, modern approach to elevate every remodel, renovation, commercial building and new construction project. Apartment Therapy, Marin Magazine and Luxe have featured our work. A licensed architect with a Master’s degree from Montana State University, Craig O’Connell has nearly 20 years experience designing and managing residential and commercial projects. Prior to starting COA, Craig was a project architect at Orlando Diaz-Azcuy Design Associates.

06/16/2026

Good design lives in the details. 📐 During Design Development, decisions around windows, cabinetry, flooring, appliances, and finishes begin to take shape. These choices help establish the quality, character, and functionality of the home long before construction begins.

See more of our work and process: https://www.craig-oconnell.com/blog/2025/7/9/design-development-amp-bidding-what-happens-in-step-2-of-your-home-remodel-in-the-bay-area-and-beyond

06/10/2026

3D modeling plays an important role in helping clients visualize their future home. 🏠 During Design Development, we use detailed views and perspectives to show how spaces relate, how layouts function, and how design ideas begin to come together in a more realistic way.

Explore our design process: https://www.craig-oconnell.com/blog/2025/7/9/design-development-amp-bidding-what-happens-in-step-2-of-your-home-remodel-in-the-bay-area-and-beyond

06/09/2026

“What does a room sound like?”

It’s not a question architects are often asked.

We spend a great deal of time thinking about how spaces look and function, but the way a home sounds can have just as much impact on how we experience it every day. Last week, I had the pleasure of moderating a panel at Bang & Olufsen during San Francisco Design Week exploring the relationship between sound, design, and the home with Peter Kadin of and Jean Maraine-Jin of .california

One theme that emerged throughout the evening was that sound is far more than a technical consideration. It shapes mood, influences behavior, creates memories, and helps transform a house into a home.

Whether it’s a dedicated listening room, a living room filled with conversation, or an outdoor gathering space shared with friends and family, the way a space sounds contributes to how we connect with it and with each other.

As Goethe famously said, “Architecture is frozen music.” Our conversation was a reminder that great sound can help bring architecture to life.

Thank you to Bang & Olufsen for hosting such a thoughtful discussion as part of

BangAndOlufsen

06/06/2026

Design Development is where ideas begin to take real shape. ✏️ After the broader concepts are established during schematic design, we refine the chosen direction with dimensions, materials, and more detailed planning so clients can better understand how the finished home will function and feel.

Learn more about our process: https://www.craig-oconnell.com/blog/2025/7/9/design-development-amp-bidding-what-happens-in-step-2-of-your-home-remodel-in-the-bay-area-and-beyond

05/27/2026

A successful project balances vision, function, and feasibility ⚖️. Early in the process, we research permitting requirements and work within local guidelines to ensure that what we design can actually be built—saving time, cost, and frustration later on.

Explore more about how we work — https://www.craig-oconnell.com/blog/2025/3/11/from-vision-to-schematic-design-the-first-phase-of-our-architectural-process

05/19/2026

Schematic design is where ideas begin to take shape ✏️. Through hand sketches and multiple iterations, we explore different layouts and concepts, narrowing them down to a few strong directions that align with the client’s vision and the site.

Learn more about our design approach: https://www.craig-oconnell.com/blog/2025/3/11/from-vision-to-schematic-design-the-first-phase-of-our-architectural-process

05/12/2026

Accurate information drives better design 📐. Using tools like 3D scanning alongside hand measurements, we build a precise model of the space before beginning any creative work. This ensures that every design decision is grounded in reality—not assumptions.

See how we approach each project — https://www.craig-oconnell.com/blog/2025/3/11/from-vision-to-schematic-design-the-first-phase-of-our-architectural-process

05/06/2026

Every project starts with understanding what’s already there 🔍. Before any design work begins, we document existing conditions through site visits, measurements, and detailed scans to create accurate as-built drawings. This foundation allows us to design with clarity and confidence from the start.

Learn more about our process: https://www.craig-oconnell.com/blog/2025/3/11/from-vision-to-schematic-design-the-first-phase-of-our-architectural-process

03/19/2026

In our brand new blog post: “A Mill Valley Cottage, Reimagined,” we go deeper inside the transformation of this turn-of-the-century home with rich history.

“Something that was really surprising and fun to work with was that there was a unique situation of a sink and a vanity in both of the upstairs rooms,” says Craig. “It’s typical to see this in historic homes. The owners have two girls, and they were each going to have their own room, so they opted to keep the vanities and sinks so the girls could brush their teeth and use the mirror without fighting over the bathroom.”

Check out our new post with before-and-after photos for inside stories of this 18-month renovation — including how we kept certain features intact (like the cathedral-style ceiling in the family/guest room and antique wood, beveled-glass front door) and what was upgraded to bring more light, space, and function into the space for this modern family of four.

📰 Read the blog post here: https://www.craig-oconnell.com/blog/2026/3/18/a-mill-valley-cottage-reimagined

📷 by Brad Knipstein

03/18/2026

We are so honored to see this project featured in Marin Magazine and Spaces Magazine. It was a fun collaboration with wonderful clients and an incredible team!

Address

1592 Union Street, Suite 133
San Francisco, CA

Website

http://www.craig-oconnell.com/

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