Steve Swearengen, AIA | the Architects office

Steve will treat you like a star. He completely understands what client service means, on a level that I have never seen before in any architect. We are builders and project managers. So we can tell you first hand that it feels VERY comfortable working with Steve and his team. He has an incredibly thoughtful process that honors the client's goals. We have found that working with The Architects Office is the most collaborative experience we have had in the industry. There is a real willingness to understand how their protocols work in the real world. They always ensure that their clients are well educated, cared for, and given everything they need to successfully navigate their construction project from start to finish. We are always excited and energized to work with Steve and his team.

Steve was the architect for our full house remodel, design period 2012-2013 and construction 2013-2014. He was the perfect person for our family and our project, and 3 years after completion we are still thrilled with our home. Steve was most effective because he invested in understanding what we really wanted in our home... which also means he helped us figure out what we really wanted. He initially spent time getting to know us and how we lived our life in and around the house- where we flowed, who did what where, etc. He learned that the kitchen was our hub and needed to be the focus. He learned where we did and didn't spend time- so we ended up with no wasted spaces. He understood what was really important, and what was only nice to have. He ended up designing the house we wanted, not the house he wanted to design only using his expertise. He also collaborated smoothly with the builders and contractors throughout the process. We also collaborated frequently and effectively using Houzz. We created folders and shared everything from big styles decisions, small details, colors, hardware, and general "feelings" ("I just like the way this room makes me feel..."). It was a great way to share info, and Steve would give us homework ("tag some bathroom ideas you like") and come to us with designs and options incorporating our interests. I recommend Steve without reservation. He's a great architect, better person, and we are fans :).

I am the Production Manager at Alward Construction, General Contractor, and I met Steve several years ago through our local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, NARI. I worked with Steve and my previously owned company, Wolfe, Inc., General Contractor, where we worked on several projects together. I have since hired him for a project at here at Alward Construction and he is going to work on a couple more very soon. We work with a number of designers and architects and Steve is unique and sets himself apart with his attention to detail, setting of client expectations and a very professional approach to his projects. Steve is knowledgeable about aligning customer’s expectations with available budget and works hard to advocating the most bang for the customer’s buck. When his plans are ready to bid, he has thought through all the details and has great questions about how something might work that he hasn't figured out yet. This is invaluable to clients and to us. Steve gathers the team at the beginning of the project so that each person is fully invested and committed to the project and the project details are continually in discussion. Steve is professional with his communication and presentation to clients and sets up expectations very carefully in regards to project cost, process and schedule. He takes charge and assures that all the pieces come together. He’s supremely knowledgeable about the permitting process and has extended his services to assist contractors by expediting permits for them. This saves time and energy for us. I highly recommend Steve’s Feasibility, Design and Documentation services for all the reasons I mentioned above and I am very grateful to have him to refer to clients who call me prior to having a design for their project. Spencer Wolfe Alward Construction Inc.

The Architects Office was the perfect fit for the remodel and expansion of our home in the hills above Golden Gate Park. Steve was masterful in every respect. The existing house, already a few remodels deep, had some different styles at play and varying levels of upgrade needs. We knew we wanted to tie things together and create a sense of continuity throughout, while simultaneously creating cleaner modern spaces and honoring the vintage and concepts of the original design. Steve balanced these concerns intuitively and was particularly adept at helping us find clarity about what we really wanted and why. He brought equal parts artistry and efficacy to the project, and seemed as comfortable delving into ideas about Frank Gehry and the Japanese metabolism movement as he was dealing with the builders and the daily questions and contingencies of getting the work done. Steve was always prompt and professional, but also maintained a sense of the adventure and excitement for the project throughout, and the end results were stunning. Shortly after completion a houseguest noted that it’s hard to imagine the place ever looking different, the new work was so seamlessly integrated into what we started with. There were some very tricky design issues, strange interactions between staircases, landings, landscaping, all on a steep slope with limited space to work. Steve always moved through these riddles and came up with some pretty genius and creative designs, every decision felt entirely custom and melded to the particulars of the situation. We had somewhat complex desires (extended family, working from home, interaction between interior and exterior spaces), but Steve found ways to make every room feel somehow inspiring to be in. He was also a guiding hand for our attempt to satisfy our own taste and the personal, emotional side of residential architecture with concerns about costs, home value, resell options down the road and so fourth. We are so happy with the place it’s hard to imagine any future projects, but if something comes along we will absolutely be working with the Architects Office again.

Steve is committed to comprehensive project oversight as well as conscientious attention to detail. He is fun to work with and very responsive to his clients' design needs as well as timeline. Looking forward to continuing design collaborations!

Steve is great .....easy to work with....comes up with incredible visions I would never have thought of. I have used Steve for 2 major projects in my own home and in my son's home....2 kitchens including the "Great Room" concept. I am very happy...thx from Kathy

Each time my husband and I have considered remodeling projects, we have wondered which approach to take: DIY, hire a designer, hire an architect. Each time we have landed with a designer, but have needed the services of an architect. We usually get very little attention from said architects because our projects are never big enough to merit "big" attention. This was never the case with Steve Swearengen and team at the Architects Office. Steve was at first the silent partner of our designer, just making sure everything in her designs would work structurally. But then he became another adviser for us as we considered multiple scope options. At no point did Steve ever make us feel too small or crazy for wavering in our decisions. He consistently showed up with humor, great ideas, and good questions to lead us to a final decision with a long term plan. In the end, Steve talked us out of the big project, but he clearly was more interested in developing a relationship that would last over time than winning a quick, big project for his firm. Steve proved invaluable for us as we tackled a silly problem in the City's permitting process. He promised to take on the intermediary role with the City while we were traveling, and he stayed on top of the process, removed roadblocks when they appeared, and thought creatively about how best to get us to a legal project. He was consistently respectful, completely reliable & responsive, and stuck with us through to the end. We are extremely grateful that such a professional remained willing to work with us even on what turned out to be a small scope for him. If you are in the Bay Area and looking for a great architect who will meet you where you are in your project, give Mr. Swearengen and the Architects office a call!

My husband and I bought an old house that needed a lot of work. Our contractor recommended Steve to help us design our small space to maximize flow without losing the charm. It was a pleasure to work with Steve, every step of the way. Once we were well into the project, we had to cut our budget and Steve rose to the challenge to help us identify what we should do now vs. wait and do later. We would highly recommend Steve and will glady hire him again for future design work.

Steve and I met by having a common thread through BNI (although in different chapters). I could tell right away that he was going to be a solid architectural resource for FMSProjects (general contractors) and I have been able to refer several projects to him with complete faith and assurance that he will fit in well with our clients. He is easy to work with and brings a professional attitude and wide range of planning and architectural knowledge to our projects.

Steve Swearengen is one of the best architects I know. As a business consultant I've worked with hundreds of architects over the years. Steve understands construction better than most and certainly works well with contractors and clients to get their dreams fulfilled. I highly recommend him to any contractor or homeowner who wants it a great job at a reasonable price.