Architectural Design in San Rafael

Full-Service Design & Construction for Marin County Homes & Businesses

At Westward Builders, architectural design isn’t a separate phase handed off to an outside firm. It’s the start of a process we carry all the way through permitted construction, with the same team managing every step. As a family-run company with 50 years of experience based right here in San Rafael, we work with residential and commercial clients throughout Marin County and Sonoma County, handling planning, permitting, engineering coordination, and construction without bringing in outside contractors for the core work.

Marin County sites come with real constraints: hillside terrain, tight lot lines, grading requirements, and local planning review that can complicate even straightforward projects. We understand those conditions because we build in them every day. That knowledge shapes how we draw plans, and it’s what keeps designs buildable when they reach the field. Free estimates are available, and we’re happy to communicate in Spanish.

Ready to start your project? Call us at (415) 968-1090 for a free, detailed estimate on architectural design and construction in San Rafael and the surrounding area.

One Team from First Drawing to Final Inspection

The design-build model matters most when a project is complicated. On hillside sites, zero-lot-line parcels, and foundation-dependent builds, a gap between the designer and the builder creates real risk: permit-ready drawings that run into unexpected site conditions, change orders that can push timelines, and no single point of accountability. We eliminate that gap. The team that draws the plans pulls the permits, coordinates with engineers, and builds the project.

We also own our trucks and equipment, which keeps costs down and reduces the delays that come with third-party rentals. You get direct, transparent communication throughout, and we keep job sites clean and respectful of your neighbors. Emergency service is available when a project can’t wait.

Projects We Handle for San Rafael & Marin County Clients

Our architectural design work spans a wide range of residential and commercial project types. We design for the way a site actually builds, not the way it looks on flat paper.

Project types we take on:

• Hillside residential projects where site access, grading, and structural requirements shape the design from day one
• Zero-lot-line and tight-access sites that demand precise coordination between design intent and construction method
• Remodels, from room-level renovations to larger structural work
• Decks, integrated into the overall site and structural plan
• Foundation construction and underpinning repair, with design that accounts for soil conditions, slope, and load
• Retaining walls, waterproofing, and drainage on sites where grading or slope management is part of the scope
• Commercial construction, including tenant improvements, industrial, and retail projects

ADU design has become a growing part of our work as Marin County jurisdictions have expanded allowances for accessory dwelling units. If you’re thinking about adding a unit to an existing parcel, we can walk you through what’s feasible on your site.

How the Process Works

Every project starts with a conversation about your goals and a free, detailed estimate. From there, we manage design development, permit submission, and engineering coordination as part of the project, not as tasks we leave you to sort out separately. We handle permit submissions to the City of San Rafael Community Development Department and, where grading, drainage, or slope proximity triggers additional review by county or regional agencies, we manage that coordination too.

You’ll know where your project stands. We oversee every detail from planning through construction completion and keep you informed at every stage.

Start with a Free Estimate

Whether you’re planning a hillside remodel, a new foundation, a deck, or a commercial improvement, we’d like to hear about it. We serve clients throughout Marin County and Sonoma County and bring the same family approach to every project we take on.

Hablamos español. Reach us by phone or through our online contact form, or call (415) 968-1090 today for your free estimate on architectural design in San Rafael.