Business Details
Your Trusted Residential Architects in Oakland
Wayne Meyer Works is a small, responsive architecture practice dedicated to creating quality designs tailored to individual client needs, lifestyles, and budgets. Based in Oakland, we serve the San Francisco Bay Area from San Jose to Santa Rosa, as well as the Lake Tahoe region. Our expertise lies in residential remodels, accessory dwelling units, additions, and new home designs that prioritize modern aesthetics with warm, inviting materials like natural wood and stone. We specialize in solving complex architectural challenges, including navigating zoning regulations and building codes, while emphasizing open floor plans, natural light, and seamless indoor-outdoor living.With over 20 years of experience and 200+ completed projects, we provide direct collaboration with clients, ensuring expert guidance throughout every phase of the design and approval process. Our commitment to thoughtful design extends to optimizing spatial flow, sight lines, and functional elegance, while managing technical approvals with local agencies to ensure project success. Client testimonials highlight our ability to transform unconventional spaces into high-design solutions that exceed expectations while maintaining budget and timeline integrity.
Services
Residential Remodels
ADU Design
Home Additions
New Home Construction
Modern Architecture
Zoning Consultation
Code Compliance
Space Optimization
Interior Design
Permit Assistance
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of residential architecture experience with 200+ completed projects.
- Our direct collaboration with clients ensures personalized attention and expert guidance.
- We specialize in navigating complex zoning and building code challenges in California.
- Our designs prioritize functional elegance and seamless indoor-outdoor living experiences.
- We provide transparent pricing with a free initial consultation to discuss your vision.
What people say
Creative solutions
On budget and on time
Amazing designs
Expertise with permits
Transformed our home
Services
Residential Remodels
We specialize in transforming existing homes through modern, functional remodels that align with your lifestyle. Our process focuses on optimizing spatial flow, integrating natural light, and using warm materials like wood and stone. Clients benefit from our expertise in navigating complex zoning laws while delivering designs that enhance daily living experiences.
ADU Design
Our ADU designs maximize underutilized spaces while adhering to California's evolving regulations. We create versatile living units that maintain aesthetic harmony with primary residences. The process includes site analysis, code compliance, and cost-effective solutions for homeowners seeking rental income or expanded family living areas.
New Home Construction
We design modern, energy-efficient homes that reflect clients' personalities and site-specific opportunities. Our approach balances innovative geometry with practical living needs, ensuring seamless integration of indoor-outdoor spaces. From concept to permitting, we prioritize material warmth and long-term functionality in every custom home project.
Zoning Consultation
Our expertise in California's complex building codes and zoning laws helps clients overcome regulatory challenges. We identify exceptions and creative solutions to maximize project potential while maintaining compliance. This service ensures smoother approvals for difficult sites or restrictive local ordinances.
Permit Assistance
We manage the technical approval process for residential projects, coordinating with engineers and local agencies. Our service includes plan preparation, code compliance verification, and advocacy during municipal reviews. This ensures designs meet all legal requirements while preserving architectural intent.
People
Gary Wayne Meyer
Principal Architect
With over 20 years of experience, Gary leads all projects directly, combining modern design principles with practical solutions. His 200+ completed projects demonstrate expertise in transforming complex challenges into functional, beautiful spaces while maintaining client budgets and timelines.
Questions
What types of residential projects do you specialize in?
We focus on modern home remodels, accessory dwelling units, additions, and new custom homes that emphasize functional design and natural materials.
How do you handle complex zoning regulations?
Our team specializes in navigating California's building codes and zoning laws, finding creative solutions to maximize project potential while maintaining compliance.
What is your design philosophy?
We blend modern aesthetics with warm materials like wood and stone, prioritizing open spaces, natural light, and seamless indoor-outdoor living experiences.
Do you work directly with clients throughout the process?
Yes, Principal Architect Gary Wayne Meyer leads every project personally, ensuring consistent communication and expert guidance from concept to completion.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve the San Francisco Bay Area from San Jose to Santa Rosa, plus Lake Tahoe and surrounding regions.
How are your fees structured?
Remodels and additions start at $10k, new homes at $40k. We offer free initial consultations to discuss project scope and budget.
Reviews (4)
Tal B.
Jan 10, 2022
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Gary was honestly a godsend! He took on a very difficult project, and overcame several legal, structural, and regulatory obstacles, to bring my project to permit approval. The project was to renovate a 100+ year old, 3-story building, through the aforementioned obstacles, in a city as tough as SF - so it was no easy feat!
Gary navigated working with multiple stakeholders: me, my partner, the structural engineer, and a multitude of government officials. He's a very good listener, so he quickly understood the project's direction and was able to provide ideas and brainstorm in a way that
Gary navigated working with multiple stakeholders: me, my partner, the structural engineer, and a multitude of government officials. He's a very good listener, so he quickly understood the project's direction and was able to provide ideas and brainstorm in a way that
Tanja B.
Feb 09, 2021
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You can trust Gary Meyer. He is not only very honest and price conscious but also super creative. He came up with ideas for our unit extension that was amazing. While the unit has a great flow we also gained an extra parking space because he can think outside the box. When we talked about adding a bathroom to a different unit he again made really smart design suggestions and we are saving a lot of money because of it. He knows SF code and he can work super fast. We will never use a different architect again. This one is a keeper.
C. W.
Dec 14, 2016
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Gary designed a remodel of our media room and garage, converting it into a full bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. He did an amazing job from start to finish and came up with design ideas that really took the space to the next level. He also worked with us to find a contractor who was amazing. I can't recommend Gary enough.
Remy H.
Jun 15, 2016
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I never thought about hiring an architect for help us with our kitchen remodeling, but after talking to a couple of contractors, I realized a professional intermediary is needed to not just realizing the vision but also to manage the whole seemingly endlessly convoluted process. Fortunately, a mutual friend introduced me to Gary, and after our initial meeting, I knew I got my guy.
Gary understands modern esthetics! He streamlined the design process and was able to show us what we wanted to see but weren't able to say. More importantly, Gary took over the entire project, ranging from
Gary understands modern esthetics! He streamlined the design process and was able to show us what we wanted to see but weren't able to say. More importantly, Gary took over the entire project, ranging from
