praise

From Vivian Nguyen, Owner Of Nails By Vivian

My name is Vivian Nguyen, am the owner of nails by Vivian. At the time I needed an architect I looked around for different estimates, and to make sure I could get a good feel for each ones character. Many architects that I contacted before Austin did not seem invested or professional. They would take long periods of time to contact me back and would add questionable charges. Then I found Austin on yelp, he had great reviews so I contacted him, he was very prompt on a response. He immediately came to my salon gave me a very straight forward and honest estimate and has been great to get the job done on an agreed deadline. He is very professional and I’m great full I found such a stand up honest person who truly invests himself with his clients. If you come across him when you need an architect look no more, he is your guy.

Vivian Nguyen

Village Chiropractic And Wellness Center

Austin’s design and efficient use of space in converting what was once a garage into the Village Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Montclair (Oakland) is commensurate to a Salvador Dali creation, i.e., highly imaginative, emotionally rewarding, the closer you look the more you discover. Austin’s work, as guided for his love of client and project, is clearly manifested in the offices of Dr. Matt Green, DC (worthy of a look).

Robert Heger, Certified Business Broker

From Prana Del Mar Retreat And Wellness Center
Thank you for creating such a peaceful, inspiring, caring place with such exceptionally positive energy. The attention to detail in the yoga space, rooms, and gardens has made Prana del Mar a true “oasis” of a retreat in this world of options. I’ll look forward to returning.

Lynne Bairstow, Punta Mita, Mexico

From Energy Solutions Headquarters

[3 Lights Design] was great! They helped me with a 10,000 sf office TI in Oakland and the whole process went very smoothly. They took care of final programming, schematic drawings, permit submittals, and construction RFI’s & revisions. I appreciated their high-quality drafting abilities, building code knowledge, punctual turnarounds, and sincere interest in the project. They are now one of my top go-to teams…

Sean Mckinley, Project Manager, Energy Solutions

From Vaniman Remodel

I worked with Austin and his team to finally bring to light a renovation at my home in Lafayette. The whole team (Austin, Donatella and Luia) were extremely personable, talented and really took the time to understand me and what I wanted to accomplish with the remodel.

They worked fast and were almost below the low end of what they had quoted for the job!

I would recommend them in a heartbeat, they where such a pleasure to work with and everything went incredibly smoothly.

Ines Vaniman

From Controneo Garage Legalization

Austin and Luis are amazing!! They helped me with drawings for work that was already done without permits. Getting permits after the fact is not fun and very stressful. They got my illegal garage conversion issues with the City of San Pablo back on track, permits issued, and at a minimal cost!! I highly recommend them and will use them again without hesitation, great communication, fast response, professional, pleasant. Thank you guys for all your knowledge and assistance!!

Rachael Controneo

From Silly Little Things Kitchen Remodel

Austin and his team are AMAZING. Austin has an incredible method of getting to the root of your wants and needs and helps in bringing out the most soulful designs based on your innermost unconscious desires. And Donatella and Luis did an amazing job translating our vision into extraordinarily functional designs. We did a kitchen remodel with them. We have a historic Spanish style storybook home, with lots of intricate details and aesthetic touches. And my wife is a chef, and we have kids, and I’m an artist/photographer, so our individual needs were causing us to argue over our differing visions. But Austin was able to tap into the deeper desires and Donatella and Luis come up with several iterations of designs that incorporated our individual fantasies to create a cohesive, functional, and beautiful design to fit the existing architecture. Even if you don’t end up working with Austin, just to meet and talk with him is an inspiration.

Thomas Kuoh, Professional Photographer

“Your graciousness really felt like a ray of sunshine, so thank you so much again for that and jumping on the work to help get it done.”
Adam Carlson
Program Manager, Apple, Oakland Homeowners and Expecting Parents Needing to Get Into a New Home Quickly
“Your graciousness really felt like a ray of sunshine, so thank you so much again for that and jumping on the work to help get it done.”
Adam Carlson
Program Manager, Apple, Oakland Homeowners and Expecting Parents Needing to Get Into a New Home Quickly
“...highly imaginative, emotionally rewarding, the closer you look the more you discover. Austin's work, as guided for his love of client and project, is clearly manifested.”
Robert Heger
Business Broker
“...highly imaginative, emotionally rewarding, the closer you look the more you discover. Austin's work, as guided for his love of client and project, is clearly manifested.”
Robert Heger
Business Broker
“We love the house and are grateful for all that you did to help us get here.”
Alexis Chettiar
“We love the house and are grateful for all that you did to help us get here.”
Alexis Chettiar
“We get comments everyday from guests who notice and appreciate the unique touches and attention to detail that he infused into our resort's design. “...offered both practical problem-solving acumen and nuanced creative insight to synthesize function and form in a harmonious whole.” “He has a talent for distilling...
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Erik Singer
Owner and Developer, Prana Del Mar Health and Wellness Center
“We get comments everyday from guests who notice and appreciate the unique touches and attention to detail that he infused into our resort's design. “...offered both practical problem-solving acumen and nuanced creative insight to synthesize function and form in a harmonious whole.” “He has a talent for distilling the essence of an idea and using that as a cornerstone that informs and integrates with the project as a whole”
Erik Singer
Owner and Developer, Prana Del Mar Health and Wellness Center
“I appreciated their high-quality drafting abilities, building code knowledge, punctual turnarounds, and sincere interest in the project.”
Sean McKinley,
Project Manager
“I appreciated their high-quality drafting abilities, building code knowledge, punctual turnarounds, and sincere interest in the project.”
Sean McKinley,
Project Manager
“I am so thankful for Austin for two reasons; one, his vision and ability to see the project all the way through to the end, and two, his incredible personality. I thought I was a great listener...well, I met my match. I felt very...
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Dr. Matt Green
Chiropractor
“I am so thankful for Austin for two reasons; one, his vision and ability to see the project all the way through to the end, and two, his incredible personality. I thought I was a great listener...well, I met my match. I felt very taken care of throughout the entire process.”
Dr. Matt Green
Chiropractor
“Austin and his team are AMAZING. Austin has an incredible method of getting to the root of your wants and needs and helps in bringing out the most soulful designs based on your innermost unconscious desires.” Donatella and Luis did an amazing job translating our vision into extraordinarily...
Read More
Thomas Kuoh
Professional Photographer
“Austin and his team are AMAZING. Austin has an incredible method of getting to the root of your wants and needs and helps in bringing out the most soulful designs based on your innermost unconscious desires.” Donatella and Luis did an amazing job translating our vision into extraordinarily functional designs. “Your design process saved our marriage”
Thomas Kuoh
Professional Photographer
“The whole team (Austin, Donatella, and Luis) were extremely personable, talented and really took the time to understand me and what I wanted to accomplish with the remodel ” “I would recommend them in a heartbeat, they were such a pleasure to work with and everything...
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Ines Vaniman,
Mother and Marriage and Family Counselor
“The whole team (Austin, Donatella, and Luis) were extremely personable, talented and really took the time to understand me and what I wanted to accomplish with the remodel” “I would recommend them in a heartbeat, they were such a pleasure to work with and everything went incredibly smoothly.” “They worked fast and were almost below the low end of what they had quoted for the job”
Ines Vaniman,
Mother and Marriage and Family Counselor
“I highly recommend them and will use them again without hesitation, great communication, fast response, professional, pleasant ” Getting permits after the fact is not fun and very stressful. They got my illegal garage conversion issues with the City of San Pablo back on track...
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Rachel Cotroneo
Realtor
“I highly recommend them and will use them again without hesitation, great communication, fast response, professional, pleasant” Getting permits after the fact is not fun and very stressful. They got my illegal garage conversion issues with the City of San Pablo back on track, permits issued, and at a minimal cost!!
Rachel Cotroneo
Realtor
“Wow, what an experience! They listened carefully to all our need and wishes and even took us through this really cool interview process, which help me to look at the potential for my kitchen in a whole new way.”
Jill Oringer
“Wow, what an experience! They listened carefully to all our need and wishes and even took us through this really cool interview process, which help me to look at the potential for my kitchen in a whole new way.”
Jill Oringer
When my part of my back deck was destroyed when a tree fell on it, I was really upset. I didn't know at the time that the loss of my favorite part of my house could lead to an opportunity for something better, something different, and something more affordable than ...
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Therese Kells
Life Coach
When my part of my back deck was destroyed when a tree fell on it, I was really upset. I didn't know at the time that the loss of my favorite part of my house could lead to an opportunity for something better, something different, and something more affordable than I'd originally thought. ...he asked a lot of questions and listened to all my concerns
Therese Kells
Life Coach
I expected to sketch some walls and treatment tables. Instead, I wound up having one of the most profound conversations I have had in a long time." Austin has a depth of personal practice that you can feel when working with him. He really listened to my needs and concerns. "...
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Jeremy Rothenberg
Acupuncturist
I expected to sketch some walls and treatment tables. Instead, I wound up having one of the most profound conversations I have had in a long time." Austin has a depth of personal practice that you can feel when working with him. He really listened to my needs and concerns. "Part of what Austin does is help you evaluate if the space and design are in alignment with your deepest values. This was an unexpected, but incredibly valuable asset to designing a space.
Jeremy Rothenberg
Acupuncturist
As a contractor I have worked with many architects before but I have never met anyone so committed to work in such a deep and personal way with the client, contractor and the vision as whole.
Hristiyan Atanasov
Green Builder
As a contractor I have worked with many architects before but I have never met anyone so committed to work in such a deep and personal way with the client, contractor and the vision as whole.
Hristiyan Atanasov
Green Builder
...my first meeting with Austin was magical. We spent over two hours talking about my business and my personal goals related to the space. I expected to sketch some walls and treatment tables. Instead, I wound up having one of the most profound conversations I have...
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Jeremy Rothenberg
Acupuncturist
...my first meeting with Austin was magical.  We spent over two hours talking about my business and my personal goals related to the space.  I expected to sketch some walls and treatment tables. Instead, I wound up having one of the most profound conversations I have had in a long time.
Jeremy Rothenberg
Acupuncturist
Thank you for creating such a peaceful, inspiring, caring place with such exceptionally positive energy. The attention to detail in the yoga space, rooms, and gardens has made Prana del Mar a true "oasis" of a retreat in this world of options. I'll look forward to returning.
Lynne Bairstow
Punta Mita, Mexico
Thank you for creating such a peaceful, inspiring, caring place with such exceptionally positive energy. The attention to detail in the yoga space, rooms, and gardens has made Prana del Mar a true "oasis" of a retreat in this world of options. I'll look forward to returning.
Lynne Bairstow
Punta Mita, Mexico
[Austin's] design, impeccable layout, and mechanicals made the project seamless from start to finish.
Cathy Weisz
Director of Retail Store Design, Patagonia Corporation
[Austin's] design, impeccable layout, and mechanicals made the project seamless from start to finish.
Cathy Weisz
Director of Retail Store Design, Patagonia Corporation

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