Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Trusted Residential Architect in Summit, NJ
At CBH Architects, we believe every house holds the potential to become a home that redefines how you live. Founded in 2009 as Barnett Design Build, our firm transitioned to a residential-only architecture practice in 2013, leveraging decades of combined experience in home improvement, construction, and design. Our team includes licensed architects, a structural engineer, and professionals with expertise in historic preservation, interior design, and project management. We specialize in custom home additions, remodels, and renovations across Essex, Union, and surrounding New Jersey counties. Our process prioritizes client collaboration, starting with zoning analysis and existing conditions assessments, followed by schematic design and construction documentation.We offer transparent pricing, fixed fees for initial phases, and percentage-based costs for construction drawings. Our unique value lies in our multidisciplinary team, which includes former home improvement contractors and Fortune 100 operations managers, ensuring practical solutions tailored to modern lifestyles. We maintain active roles in local preservation commissions and professional organizations, reinforcing our commitment to quality and community. Client satisfaction drives our work, with a focus on transforming spaces to reflect individual needs while adhering to technical and aesthetic standards.
Services
Home Additions
Remodels
Zoning Analysis
Interior Design
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of combined experience in residential architecture and construction.
- Our team includes licensed architects, a structural engineer, and historic preservation experts.
- We provide transparent pricing with fixed fees for initial design phases.
- We prioritize client collaboration through detailed zoning analysis and schematic design.
- Our multidisciplinary approach integrates Fortune 100 operational expertise with hands-on construction knowledge.
What people say
Exceptional design expertise
Transformed our home beautifully
Transparent communication throughout
Exceeded expectations
Seamless project execution
Services
Home Additions
We design and manage custom home additions that expand living spaces while maintaining architectural integrity. Our process includes zoning analysis, schematic design, and construction documentation. Clients benefit from transparent pricing and expertise in navigating municipal regulations, ensuring seamless integration of new structures with existing homes.
Remodels
Our remodel services focus on transforming existing spaces to enhance functionality and aesthetics. We conduct detailed existing conditions assessments and collaborate on wish lists to create tailored solutions. Fixed fees for initial phases and percentage-based construction drawing costs ensure clarity throughout the renovation process.
Zoning Analysis
We provide comprehensive zoning analysis to determine buildable envelopes for additions or modifications. This fixed-fee service clarifies municipal regulations before design begins, preventing costly delays. Clients receive actionable insights to align projects with local zoning requirements efficiently.
Interior Design
Our interior design team assists with fixture, finish, and product selections to complement architectural changes. Services include procurement support and styling guidance, ensuring cohesive aesthetics. This offering extends our commitment to creating personalized, functional living environments tailored to client preferences.
Project Management
We offer hourly project management during construction, including site visits, timeline coordination, and stakeholder communication. This service ensures adherence to plans and budgets while addressing challenges proactively. Clients gain peace of mind through our hands-on oversight and technical expertise.
People
Mike Cuttitta
Partner/Lead Designer
Licensed architect and interior design expert with a focus on historic preservation. Serves on South Orange's Historic Preservation Commission since 2018. Graduated from NJIT's College of Architecture and Design as an Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar.
Bob Barnett
Founder & President
Licensed architect and former marketing director at American Express. Founded CBH Architects in 2009 after renovating two historic homes. Combines corporate strategy with hands-on construction experience, holding degrees from Columbia Business School and Washington University.
Dusan Gajic
Senior Associate
Architect with over a decade of international design-technology experience. Joined CBH in 2014, leading architectural production for major projects. Holds an Engineer of Architecture degree from the University of Belgrade.
Damon Johnson
Structural Engineer
Licensed professional engineer with expertise in civil and structural design. Founded DRJ Engineering Consultants in 2010. Provides structural oversight for CBH projects since 2012, ensuring technical compliance and safety standards.
Sean Hilgeman
Associate Partner
Licensed architect with experience across residential, commercial, and international charitable projects. Joined CBH in 2016 after earning a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington. Serves as Philadelphia Architectural Representative at ModernfoldStyles, Inc.
Questions
What services does CBH Architects offer?
We specialize in residential home additions, remodels, zoning analysis, interior design, and project management for single-family homes in New Jersey.
How much do your architectural services cost?
Zoning and existing conditions fees range $1,800–$4,500. Schematic design $5,000–$15,000. Construction drawings 6–15% of construction costs, with hourly rates for additional services.
Do you work outside Summit, NJ?
Yes, we serve Essex, Union, and surrounding New Jersey counties, with experience navigating diverse municipal zoning requirements.
What is your design process?
Our five-step process includes zoning analysis, existing conditions assessment, wish list consultation, schematic design, and construction documentation with ongoing project support.
Can you help with historic home renovations?
Yes, our team includes historic preservation commissioners and specialists experienced in maintaining architectural integrity while modernizing older homes.
How do you handle project timelines?
We create detailed project plans with timelines, conduct weekly site visits, and provide regular progress updates to ensure timely completion.
Reviews (4)
Alex Park
Jan 20, 2021
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I first spoke with Bob on the phone about my town home project shortly after I purchased the property in 2017. From the very outset Bob was collaborative and extremely helpful and although I spoke with other architects the choice for me was obvious. We moved forward with plans and I did several onsite meetings with Mike to get measurements and my specifications. I was fairly sure as to my ideas and plans for my home but working with Bob and Mike I was able to finalize an exciting plan that was a great step beyond my initial vision. Bob offered practical and realistic advice as to what I should
Michelle Solgan
Sep 20, 2020
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CBH Architects competed both the design and construction drawings for my finished basement. They worked with me to squeeze in a ton of functionality, utilizing as much space as possible. The footprint of my basement is relatively small, but we managed to include a laundry room, exercise room, large entertainment area with bar, full bath with steam sauna, and ample closet space and storage throughout.
A design that turned my submarine of a basement into a yacht. They collaborated well with the general contractor I chose, working together to adjust and adapt the design when obstacles arose. My family
A design that turned my submarine of a basement into a yacht. They collaborated well with the general contractor I chose, working together to adjust and adapt the design when obstacles arose. My family
T. B.
Jan 02, 2020
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We started working with CBH Architects prior to closing on our new home to better understand potential and possible challenges. After closing on the home, the CBH team quickly got to work on plans for a three floor remodel. Bob and Mike partnered with us to to understand our functional needs and provided thoughtful presentations of options. During planning and construction their team was willing to work with us on changes to plans, provided critical feedback to the builder during onsite visits, and offered valuable education. It was a pleasure working with the CBH team.
Shannon Bond
Jun 21, 2019
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Positive:Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
CBH was a true pleasure to work with and helped us create a completely transformed first floor kitchen/family room that we love. They delivered thoughtful design and detail-oriented execution from start to finish to ensure we have both a beautiful and functional space. We would not hesitate to work with CBH again in the future!!
CBH was a true pleasure to work with and helped us create a completely transformed first floor kitchen/family room that we love. They delivered thoughtful design and detail-oriented execution from start to finish to ensure we have both a beautiful and functional space. We would not hesitate to work with CBH again in the future!!
