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.

“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

If you enjoy working with intelligent, kind and hardworking people in a beautiful, centrally located studio, we encourag...
09/29/2026

If you enjoy working with intelligent, kind and hardworking people in a beautiful, centrally located studio, we encourage you to learn more about our career opportunities.

Our firm is dedicated to supporting numerous growing, learning and team-building activities for our staff. These run the gamut from professional development stipends, paid off-site volunteer days and field trips, to DEI Committee-led culinary and cultural explorations and firm-sponsored happy hours.

We are looking for architects who want to work on very special homes for discerning clients. Our office promotes independence and creativity, as well as the ability to run projects and handle the larger issues down to the most intricate details. The environment is very dynamic, with individual and team opportunities on a wide variety of residential projects.

Head to the link in bio for a complete list of openings.

If you enjoy working with intelligent, kind and hardworking people in a beautiful, centrally located studio, we encourag...
09/29/2026

If you enjoy working with intelligent, kind and hardworking people in a beautiful, centrally located studio, we encourage you to learn more about our career opportunities.

Our firm is dedicated to supporting numerous growing, learning and team-building activities for our staff. These run the gamut from professional development stipends, paid off-site volunteer days and field trips, to DEI Committee-led culinary and cultural explorations and firm-sponsored happy hours.

We are looking for architects who want to work on very special homes for discerning clients. Our office promotes independence and creativity, as well as the ability to run projects and handle the larger issues down to the most intricate details. The environment is very dynamic, with individual and team opportunities on a wide variety of residential projects.

Head to the link in bio for a complete list of openings.

A quiet summer retreat, set into the rolling landscape of the Portola Valley.Architecture: Butler Armsden ArchitectsLand...
09/17/2026

A quiet summer retreat, set into the rolling landscape of the Portola Valley.

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

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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