Business Details
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in San Francisco
Costa Brown Architecture has dedicated over two decades to preserving and enhancing San Francisco's architectural heritage. Our firm specializes in uncovering hidden value in historical buildings, from industrial relics to pre-1906 Victorians, while maintaining truth in materials and functional design. With deep expertise in the city's permit processes, we consistently deliver approvals that save clients time and resources.Our collaborative approach pairs creative vision with skilled fabricators to produce custom details that elevate every project. Rooted in San Francisco, we combine historical sensitivity with modern innovation across commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments. Our portfolio demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, human-scale design, and timeless aesthetics that enrich both buildings and communities.
Services
Approvals
Base Building Renovation
Interior Architecture
New Construction
Commercial Design
Residential Remodeling
Historical Preservation
Mixed-Use Development
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience with San Francisco's historical buildings
- Our team excels in navigating complex city permit processes
- We specialize in transforming underutilized properties into landmark buildings
- Our designs combine truth in materials with modern functionality
- We maintain a proven track record with over 1,000,000 sq ft built
Services
Approvals
Our firm specializes in navigating San Francisco's complex permit processes. With a proven track record in building and planning department approvals, we streamline entitlements to save clients time and resources. Our expertise ensures smooth project execution from concept to completion.
Base Building Renovation
We transform underutilized historical buildings into functional modern spaces. Our approach preserves architectural integrity while incorporating contemporary needs. From industrial relics to Victorian homes, we uncover hidden value in San Francisco's unique structures through thoughtful renovation strategies.
Interior Architecture
Our interior design services focus on creating functional, inviting spaces that reflect client needs. We specialize in modernizing early 20th-century floor plans while maintaining historical character. Our solutions emphasize natural light, material authenticity, and collaborative work environments.
New Construction
We design timeless new buildings that prioritize sustainability and human scale. Our process incorporates extensive design iterations to create structures that harmonize with their surroundings. With over 1,000,000 square feet built in two decades, our new constructions balance innovation with contextual sensitivity.
Commercial Design
Our commercial projects create engaging workplaces that foster collaboration. We integrate company branding with functional design while maintaining budget and timeline constraints. From tech startups to established businesses, we deliver spaces that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction.
People
Theodore Brown
Founder
With 40+ years of experience, Theodore Brown established his practice in 1976 after working with renowned architects in New York. Recognized as one of the world's 100 foremost architects by Architectural Digest, he brings decades of expertise in creating award-winning, nationally-published projects.
Albert Costa
Principal
Albert Costa brings extensive experience in craftsmanship and site-specific design. As Principal, he focuses on functional, inspiring environments that maximize property potential. His 17-year residential project at Lake Tahoe demonstrates his commitment to creating spaces that exceed client expectations through collaborative design processes.
Questions
What architectural styles does Costa Brown specialize in?
We specialize in both historical preservation and modern design, working extensively with San Francisco's Victorian buildings and contemporary commercial spaces while maintaining design integrity across all projects.
How does the firm handle San Francisco's permit process?
Our team has deep expertise in navigating the city's building and planning departments. We conduct permit evaluation studies to streamline approvals, leveraging our long track record of successful permit acquisitions to save clients time.
Can you work with historically protected buildings?
Yes, we specialize in working with protected historical structures. Our approach enhances original features while incorporating modern functionality, ensuring compliance with preservation guidelines while meeting contemporary needs.
What commercial spaces do you design?
We create engaging workplaces for tech startups and established businesses, focusing on collaborative environments that reflect company branding. Our portfolio includes office spaces at 550 South Park and Harrison Street Lobby.
Do you handle residential renovations?
Yes, we specialize in transforming early 20th-century homes into modern living spaces. Our residential projects maintain historical character while improving functionality through open floor plans and natural light integration.
What sustainability practices do you incorporate?
Sustainability guides our multifamily housing projects through material selection, energy-efficient design, and site integration. We create buildings that minimize environmental impact while maintaining aesthetic harmony with surrounding neighborhoods.
Videos
Reviews (2)
Ken Killian
Jul 08, 2020
Report
Positive:Professionalism,Quality
Completely next level designs. Pushing innovation and creativity to the max. If you dont follow their IG account you should because the stuff they build is really cool.
Completely next level designs. Pushing innovation and creativity to the max. If you dont follow their IG account you should because the stuff they build is really cool.
Egon Conway
May 22, 2020
Report
Great place! loved the designs and attention to details. i will surely be telling my acquaintances and partners.
