Business Details
19 Years
experience
Expert Architectural Design Services in San Rafael, CA
Castor Architecture has been dedicated to innovative architectural design for over two decades, specializing in custom residential projects and expanding into mixed-use and affordable housing. Our approach prioritizes authentic solutions tailored to unique challenges, emphasizing precision in spatial planning and a deep understanding of scale and proportion. With extensive experience navigating complex jurisdictions in the Bay Area, we advocate for our clients while maintaining a commitment to enhancing the built environment.Collaborating with landscape architects, interior designers, and trusted contractors, we deliver projects that reflect both client needs and community impact. Founded in 2007, our firm builds on decades of professional expertise and a passion for creating meaningful connections between architecture and its surroundings.
Services
Residential Design
Commercial Architecture
Renovation Projects
Sustainable Design
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in residential and commercial architecture.
- Our team specializes in navigating complex Bay Area jurisdictional requirements.
- We prioritize collaborative design with landscape architects and interior designers.
- Our work emphasizes sustainable practices and community impact.
- We maintain a proven track record of transforming challenging projects into award-winning spaces.
Services
Residential Design
We create custom single-family residences and multi-family housing tailored to site-specific challenges. Our process emphasizes spatial precision, material selection, and integration with natural surroundings. Clients benefit from 20+ years of expertise in transforming complex requirements into functional, aesthetically significant living spaces.
Commercial Architecture
Our commercial projects range from mixed-use developments to adaptive reuse of historic structures. We focus on balancing regulatory compliance with innovative design, ensuring spaces meet operational needs while contributing positively to urban environments. Clients receive solutions that merge practicality with architectural distinction.
Renovation Projects
We specialize in revitalizing existing structures while preserving their character. Services include space reconfiguration, systems upgrades, and modernization that respects original architecture. Our team navigates permitting complexities to deliver updated spaces that align with contemporary living standards and aesthetic goals.
Sustainable Design
We integrate energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and passive design strategies into every project. Our approach reduces environmental impact while enhancing occupant comfort. Clients receive LEED-aligned solutions tailored to California's climate and regulatory landscape without compromising design integrity.
Project Management
We guide projects from concept through construction, coordinating consultants and contractors to ensure design intent is maintained. Services include site visits, documentation reviews, and compliance verification. Clients benefit from streamlined processes that uphold quality standards while managing timelines and budgets effectively.
People
Daniel Castor
Founder/Architect
Daniel Castor, founder of Castor Architecture, holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard and has lectured at prestigious institutions. With a Rome Prize and Fulbright Scholarship, he brings 25+ years of experience in residential and commercial design, focusing on innovative solutions for complex projects.
Questions
What types of architectural services do you offer?
We specialize in residential design, commercial architecture, renovations, sustainable design, and project management, serving both private and institutional clients across California.
Do you work outside the Bay Area?
While based in San Rafael, we serve Marin County, Wine Country, San Francisco, the Peninsula, Southern California, and select out-of-state projects requiring specialized expertise.
How long have you been in business?
Castor Architecture was established in 2007, building on the founder's 25+ years of experience in architectural design and project execution.
What is your design philosophy?
We prioritize site-specific solutions that balance client needs with community impact, avoiding a signature style to create authentic, context-driven spaces with meticulous attention to proportion and detail.
How do you handle complex permitting processes?
Our team has extensive experience navigating Bay Area jurisdictions, advocating for clients through entitlement processes while ensuring compliance with planning codes and design guidelines.
Can you incorporate sustainable practices into projects?
Yes, we integrate energy-efficient systems, passive design strategies, and sustainable materials into all project types to meet environmental goals without compromising aesthetic or functional quality.
Reviews (7)
Artem Shnayder
Sep 15, 2021
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I'm looking to buy a house in Marin County. I wanted to talk to an architect to make a more informed buying decision. So, somewhat randomly, I called Daniel. He took the time to give me a rundown of things to look for and things to watch out for when buying a house in Mill Valley. He was very honest, patient, and informative. I'd love to work with him in the future. Thanks for your help Daniel.
John Telischak
May 30, 2021
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We hired Daniel Castor to accomplish a major remodel of our Belvedere home. He did the design work and working drawings and was able to get the City to approve our plans without any issues. He has an excellent sense of design and we loved the exterior look as well as the interiors. It was a fairly complicated remodel and he was always available and responsive to all the issues that came up. We highly recommend his firm if you are looking for high-quality and design excellence. John Telischak
James Nicholson
Apr 28, 2021
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Positive:Quality
Daniel took the time to understand our needs and preferences and then created an elegant design for an extension of the house that seamlessly blended with the rest of the structure. The attention to detail and precision of the drawings were outstanding.
Daniel took the time to understand our needs and preferences and then created an elegant design for an extension of the house that seamlessly blended with the rest of the structure. The attention to detail and precision of the drawings were outstanding.
Tom Ganley Construction
Aug 11, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Daniel Castor and I have worked together on a couple of residential projects in Mill Valley. It was a pleasure working with Daniel, we were great at resolving issues and working as a team, and I would highly recommend Castor Architecture for projects that require construction phase architectural design services.
Daniel Castor and I have worked together on a couple of residential projects in Mill Valley. It was a pleasure working with Daniel, we were great at resolving issues and working as a team, and I would highly recommend Castor Architecture for projects that require construction phase architectural design services.
Jodi Schwartz
Aug 03, 2020
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Daniel Castor did a re-design of our 1950s home in the Mesa neighborhood of Palm Springs to open it up, modernize it while retaining its mid-century vibe, and add great exterior living space. He did a superb job of executing both on ideas that we communicated and adding features and improvements that we never imagined but are now key to our enjoyment of the house.
Jason Moline
May 24, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness
Castor Architecture was fantastic to work with on our new home construction. Daniel helped us through all the stages of construction and gave fabulous feedback on ideas we had for our new home. Definitely recommend Castor Architecture for anyone looking for help on their new home design or remodel.
Castor Architecture was fantastic to work with on our new home construction. Daniel helped us through all the stages of construction and gave fabulous feedback on ideas we had for our new home. Definitely recommend Castor Architecture for anyone looking for help on their new home design or remodel.
Jacob Lehrbaum
Dec 21, 2019
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Daniel and his team did a fantastic job helping us through a recent project in Tiburon to remodel and modestly expand our 1960s mid-century home. Daniel was referred to me by my original architect who retired mid-project. Despite inheriting an initial design, Daniel rapidly got up to speed and helped us complete the project, navigating reviews with the building department, permits, as well as some additional alterations after we got started. Throughout the process, Daniel always kept us up to speed with his progress, timelines, and decisions that we needed to make. His communication was clear
