Intelligent design for a changing world

People care and earth care

Elegant, simple, cost-effective

High performance and resilient approaches

Bay Area Architects Specializing in ADUs & Residential Design

Thoughtful, sustainable architecture for homeowners and commercial property owners across the San Francisco Bay Area. With expertise spanning ADUs, new home, remodel, historic preservation, multi-family, commercial and infill projects, TJA brings a versatile and context-sensitive approach to every project.

As a reporting signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment, we actively advance high performance, low-impact design aligned with rigorous sustainability goals.

TJA provides end-to-end services, including feasibility studies, custom architectural design, construction documents and permitting, and construction administration - always with the client’s needs at the forefront of our approach.

Founder Todd Jersey’s prior experience as a builder, combined with over 30 years of experience in elegant design, building science and performance, uniquely positions our firm to deliver projects that are highly efficient and beautifully detailed.

A black and white photo of an indoor swimming pool facility with a diver standing on a diving board, ready to dive. The building has large windows, benches, and high ceilings with lighting fixtures.

ABOUT US

In our work, we are constantly innovating and consistently incorporating sustainable, resilient and cost effective approaches to high performance design that integrate the latest building science. Founded over 30 years ago, Todd Jersey Architecture is an award winning sustainable architecture design firm in Berkeley, California, serving all nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Whether a commercial building, historic preservation project, a new home or an ADU, we take the time to think about how a project can and should take care of our clients and the planet, and blend high performance and earth friendly methods and systems with careful attention to budget and outcomes. By skillfully balancing an earth-care mission with project requirements and resource restraint, we deliver cost-effective, high-performance buildings that embody elegance and simplicity. 

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

Our simple and comprehensive design philosophy informs all of our projects.

  • A modern laundry room with a wooden table, blue and wooden cabinets, a washer and dryer, and two windows with a view of trees and a sunset.

    Shaped by natural light

  • Interior of a modern room featuring a central fireplace with metal chimneys, surrounded by wooden paneling, and a circular balcony with wooden beams and windows at the top.

    Gorgeous and carefully detailed

  • Modern apartment buildings with a pond in the foreground, surrounded by landscaped yards and trees.

    Supportive of the earth and people

  • An aerial view of a modern house with a metal roof, landscaped yard, and surrounding green fields and trees in a rural area.

    Building science informed

  • Indoor hallway with wooden wall and a plant in a black pot.

    Integrated design approach

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OUR PROJECTS

Our creativity and expertise extend across many categories.

TODDTALKS & NEWS

We like to share our knowledge. Peruse our project news and education tools.

Blog
New ToddTalk: Building Intergenerational Wealth
New ToddTalk: Building Intergenerational Wealth

At Todd Jersey Architecture, we have a passion for helping families develop their properties to add more residential units is a cost-efficient way to build generational wealth for their families. In the state of California, legislation has been passed to promote housing development which give residential property owners additional ways to develop their properties. In certain cities, like Berkeley, ordinances are being passed to further the development of more housing, giving residential property owners more latitude on how they can develop their property.

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Rightsizing Your ADU Project: ADU Jurisdiction Requirements— Part 1
Rightsizing Your ADU Project: ADU Jurisdiction Requirements— Part 1

ADU Jurisdiction Requirements

Creating an ADU is an important decision for any homeowner. ADUs have incredible utility for families and allow for unprecedented intergenerational wealth building.  While the state of California legislated the right for homeowners to build ADUs as well as the core guidelines, jurisdictions often have their own additional guidelines.

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Rightsizing Your ADU Project: Your Site’s Opportunities and Constraints— Part 2
Rightsizing Your ADU Project: Your Site’s Opportunities and Constraints— Part 2

Your Site’s Opportunities and Constraints

Creating an ADU is an important decision for any homeowner. Before starting the design process, doing a deep dive into the unique aspects of your site and what size it  can support as well as the subsequent ADU size and program requirements, will ensure that you have an understanding of what is possible as well as allow for the next step which is budgeting.

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