Klopf Architecture - Shelter, Connection, and Light

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NEW - We have been reviewed on Yelp.com. Yelp gives our clients who wish to review us an opportunity to do so without having to field a large number of phone calls about our firm. Of course references are stil available by request.

Developing Each Client’s Vision
Our clients can expect a custom design developed specifically for each project. They can expect Klopf Architecture to embrace their ideas and their vision while we help them realize their desired outcome in a professional and expert manner. Before we sit down at the drawing board, our clients can expect us to assist them in exploring possibilities and developing achievable goals for their unique situation.

Past clients have appreciated our sincere listening, our thoughtful pondering of what an architecture project is going to mean for their lives, our efficient services, and our expertise at combining the client's abstract ideas with our design knowledge to create unique solutions. When our clients love their buildings on many levels – perhaps more than they had anticipated – we count the project as a success.

Levels of Service - Flexibility
Most of our clients have other demands on their time and resources besides their architecture project, and want us to handle more than just putting a design on paper. For many of them, that means developing a full set of construction drawings and specifications and visiting the site regularly during construction. Every detail we draw and every material we specify prior to construction helps remove uncertainty from the construction cost and/or schedule.

Other clients may just want a conceptual design or three to ponder over, or something in between. We appreciate that different clients have different needs and expectations, so we can provide different levels of service at different costs. No matter how busy our clients are, we strive to make the most efficient use of their time from day to day and respond promptly to client questions and concerns. We welcome client involvement in the design process – in fact it is necessary to create a custom design.

Warm, Modern Design
Clients have told us they feel more connected to nature in our buildings than in others. Our designs admit natural light, feature openness to nature, and use natural materials where appropriate. How much of the outside world to allow into a building depends on many factors including our clients' goals and lifestyles, site orientation, views, climate, and the surrounding neighborhood.We search for an appropriate level of exposure for each client's project.

Eichler Homes and Mid-Century Modern Houses
While we are not preservationist architects, we do work respectfully with Eichler homes and other mid-century modern structures. Please see our take on Eichler homes. We are serious about the Eichler community and have been recognized as experts in this design style; we even design new homes with a similar sensibility as the mid-century modern architects, updated for 21st Century families.

Sustainability
Sustainability is not a part of architectural practice. Architecture is a part of sustainable practice! Our designs meet Client needs and wants in the most elegant way, which often means incorporating "greener" practices. Klopf Architecture has expertise in working within a "green" framework; John Klopf is a Certified Green Building Professional.

In designing energy-efficient, healthier spaces, we always remember primary goal: creating spaces people love to inhabit. Sometimes this requires an up front investment that will save our clients money in the long run; other times the "green" solution costs no more (or even less than) the "typical" solution. Most of our clients appreciate our help with fulfilling their goals in an environmentally-sensitive way.

Firm History
John Klopf has 17 years of experience in the field of architecture. He started Klopf Architecture in 2001 and has completed numerous projects of various types for architectural clients since then. Please view Klopf Architecture's portfolio to see highlights of what we have done for our past clients.

We have successfully completed projects in Berkeley, San Francisco, San Rafael, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo (City and County), Menlo Park, San Carlos, Los Altos HIlls, Mountain View, San Jose, and Fairfield (Green Valley), with work in progress in Cupertino and Palo Alto.

Memberships
AIA - The American Institue of Architects
ADPSR - Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility
Eichler Network
Better Business Bureau