Custom Home Design in Pasadena
Transform your vision into architectural reality. We specialize in Craftsman, Spanish Colonial, and Mediterranean custom home designs for Pasadena’s most prestigious neighborhoods Oak Knoll, San Rafael Hills, and Linda Vista.
Pasadena’s Premier Neighborhoods
We’ve designed custom homes across Pasadena’s most exclusive enclaves. Our deep knowledge of each neighborhood’s architectural character and regulatory requirements ensures your project succeeds.
Oak Knoll
South Pasadena Border
Historic estates on expansive lots featuring Craftsman, Colonial, and Spanish Revival architecture. We navigate the neighborhood’s preservation guidelines while creating timeless designs.
San Rafael Hills
Hillside Luxury
Hillside luxury estates with panoramic city and mountain views. Our designs maximize view corridors while meeting strict grading and setback requirements.
Linda Vista
Arroyo Seco Foothills
Modern and mid-century estates in Pasadena’s largest luxury district. We blend contemporary aesthetics with the neighborhood’s architectural heritage.
We also serve Madison Heights, San Rafael, Hastings Ranch, Bungalow Heaven, and all custom home projects throughout Pasadena.
Why Build Custom in Pasadena?
Pasadena’s architectural heritage and prestigious neighborhoods demand more than a standard home. A custom design is the only way to honor this legacy while creating your perfect living environment.
Honor Architectural Heritage
Pasadena is the birthplace of the American Craftsman movement. A custom design allows you to create a home that authentically reflects this legacy—or thoughtfully contrasts it—rather than settling for a generic interpretation.
Maximize Unique Lot Potential
From Oak Knoll’s mature oak canopies to San Rafael’s hillside views, every Pasadena lot has unique characteristics. Custom design ensures your home captures every view, maximizes natural light, and works with—not against—the terrain.
Protect & Increase Property Value
Pasadena’s real estate market rewards architectural distinction. A well-designed custom home that respects neighborhood character while meeting modern needs commands premium valuations and attracts discerning buyers.
Why Pasadena Homeowners Choose Us
Building in Pasadena requires navigating complex design reviews, historic preservation requirements, and neighborhood-specific guidelines. We’ve mastered these challenges over 10+ years of dedicated service.
Historic District Expertise
We understand Pasadena’s Design Guidelines for Historic Districts inside and out. Whether your property is a designated Landmark or in a Landmark District, we ensure designs meet Secretary of Interior Standards while achieving your vision.
Design Commission Success
Projects over 5,000 sq ft require Design Commission approval. Our track record of successful presentations and deep relationships with city staff mean faster approvals and fewer costly revisions.
Design-Only Independence
We don’t build—by choice. This means our designs serve your interests, not a construction profit margin. You receive unbiased, bid-ready plans that any qualified contractor can execute..
Custom Home Design in Pasadena That Fits Your Lifestyle
From concept to plans, we design luxury, modern, and timeless custom homes in Pasadena tailored layouts, curated finishes, and permit-ready documentation.
Your Path to a Custom Pasadena Home
A streamlined process refined over 10+ years of creating custom homes in Pasadena’s most demanding neighborhoods
01
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Share your vision, property details, and goals. We’ll assess your lot’s potential and discuss how to navigate Pasadena’s design requirements.
02
Concept Development
We create initial designs that honor Pasadena’s architectural heritage while meeting your modern lifestyle needs—with your input at every stage.
03
Site & Style Adaptation
We refine the design to maximize your lot’s unique features—views, mature trees, topography—while ensuring compliance with all guidelines.
04
Permit & Review Processing
We handle all city submissions, Design Commission presentations, and Historic Preservation reviews—managing corrections until approval.
05
Construction-Ready Delivery
You receive complete architectural plans with all permits approved, ready for your chosen builder to bring your Pasadena dream home to life.
Begin your custom home design journey with us, where trust, clarity, and expert craftsmanship lead every step of the way.
We Are pasadena Custom Home Architects Who Focus Exclusively on Design
This isn’t a limitation—it’s our competitive advantage. By focusing exclusively on design and permitting, we deliver plans that are more detailed, more creative, and more likely to be approved the first time.
Your plans aren’t optimized for a contractor’s profit margin—they’re optimized for your dream home. Take them to any builder and get competitive bids.
Pasadena Design Expertise
From authentic Craftsman restoration to contemporary interpretations, we design across all styles that define Pasadena’s architectural landscape
Craftsman Bungalow
Craftsman
Authentic Arts & Crafts design with exposed rafters, natural wood, and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Spanish Colonial Revival
Spanish Colonial
Red-tile roofs, stucco walls, arched openings, and courtyard gardens honoring Pasadena’s heritage.
Mediterranean Revival
Mediterranean
Terracotta details, symmetrical facades, and lush courtyards reflecting Southern California’s resort heritage.
California Bungalow
California Bungalow
Open floor plans, front porches, and tile roofs blending Craftsman simplicity with Mediterranean warmth.
Contemporary
Contemporary
Clean lines, walls of glass, and sustainable design that complement—not clash with—historic neighbors.
Transitional
Transitional
The best of both worlds: traditional Pasadena charm with modern open floor plans and amenities.
*Our clients value their privacy. Images represent design styles, not specific projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about custom home design in Pasadena, California
What is the timeline for custom home design in Pasadena?
A typical custom home design project in Pasadena takes 4-8 months from initial consultation to permit approval. Projects in historic districts or requiring Design Commission review (homes over 5,000 sq ft) may take 6-12 months due to additional approval processes. We provide detailed timelines during your free consultation based on your specific property and project scope.
Do I need Design Commission approval for my Pasadena custom home?
Design Commission review is required for all new construction over 5,000 sq ft anywhere in Pasadena, multi-family projects with 3+ units, and any project in designated historic areas. Our team handles all Design Commission submissions and presentations, drawing on 10+ years of successful approvals.
What if my property is in a Pasadena historic district?
Properties in historic districts or individually designated as Landmarks require a Certificate of Appropriateness and must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. We specialize in historic district design and have extensive experience with Pasadena’s Historic Preservation requirements, ensuring your modern needs are met while honoring architectural heritage.
What architectural styles are most popular in Pasadena?
Pasadena is renowned for Craftsman (Arts & Crafts), Spanish Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival, and California Bungalow styles. We specialize in all historic styles as well as contemporary designs that thoughtfully complement Pasadena’s architectural character. Our designs can be authentically traditional or sensitively modern.
How much does custom home design cost in Pasadena?
Custom home design fees typically range from 5-15% of total construction costs, depending on project complexity, size, and design requirements. During your free consultation, we provide a detailed proposal tailored to your specific project. Our design-only focus means you receive unbiased plans optimized for your goals, not construction profit margins.
Can you help with Mills Act tax benefits for historic properties?
Yes. The Mills Act provides significant property tax reductions for designated historic properties in Pasadena. We can guide you through the designation process and ensure your renovation or addition plans comply with Mills Act requirements to maintain your tax benefits.
Why don’t you offer construction services?
Our design-only focus is intentional. By not building, we eliminate conflicts of interest—our plans are optimized for your vision and budget, not a construction profit margin. You receive detailed, bid-ready plans that you can take to any qualified contractor for competitive pricing. This typically saves clients 10-20% on construction costs.
Which Pasadena neighborhoods do you serve?
We serve all of Pasadena, with deep expertise in Oak Knoll, San Rafael Hills, Linda Vista, Madison Heights, Hastings Ranch, Bungalow Heaven, and all historic districts. Our 10+ years of local experience means we understand the specific requirements and character of each neighborhood.
Have More Questions? Find Answers in Our FAQ Section!
What Pasadena Homeowners Say
Real experiences from clients who trusted us with their Pasadena custom home projects
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our Oak Knoll lot had challenging grade changes and mature oaks we wanted to preserve. Jean Prescott Studio designed a home that works beautifully with the terrain and keeps every tree. The Design Commission approved it on the first submission.
Michael & Patricia R. – Oak Knoll
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We were intimidated by Pasadena’s historic preservation requirements. Their team handled everything—the Historic Resources Evaluation, Certificate of Appropriateness, all of it. Our Spanish Revival addition looks like it was always part of the original 1928 home.
Jennifer L. – Madison Heights
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The fact that they don’t build was actually the selling point. Our plans were so detailed and unbiased that we got three competitive bids and saved significantly on construction. The design quality speaks for itself.
David & Susan K. – San Rafael Hills
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Let’s build something meaningful together. Reach out now!
Send us a message today and discover why we’re among the most trusted names in California home construction. Your dream deserves more than generic plans, it deserves precision, passion, and a personal touch.
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