Young and Borlik Architects

What Young and Borlik Architects does

Young and Borlik Architects is a privately held, founder-controlled architecture firm established in 1988 by Andrew Young and Steve Borlik, classmates at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. The firm is headquartered at 4962 El Camino Real, Suite 218, Los Altos, California, and specializes in custom residential architecture for high-net-worth homeowners across the San Francisco Bay Area, with a primary service footprint across the Peninsula including Atherton, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, and Burlingame. Operations span the full project lifecycle — feasibility studies, architectural design, planning and zoning approvals, building permit processing, 3D visualization, and on-site construction administration — supported by a team of 11–50 architects, designers, project managers, and operations staff.

The service portfolio is organized around four core categories: New Homes and Estates (custom construction across styles including Modern Farmhouse, Georgian Revival, Mediterranean, Queen Anne Victorian, and Modern Hillside), Residential Remodels, Smaller Projects and ADUs (accessory dwelling units, pool houses, guest houses, barn conversions), and Commercial Projects (small-scale work for preschools, banks, restaurants, and offices). Supporting offerings include master planning, architectural detailing, entitlement processing, and a 3D visualization add-on spanning SketchUp models, Photoshop renderings, video fly-throughs, and color boards. The firm has institutionalized sustainable design practices — solar water heating, photovoltaic panels, integrated hydronic heating, Tesla roof tiles, low-VOC finishes, and heritage tree preservation — earning municipal recognition including the Town of Atherton Green Building Award and the City of Palo Alto Canopy Award.

The business operates on a project-based professional services model with custom pricing determined by scope and complexity; revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is sales-led direct engagement, supported by a portfolio-driven website, earned media features in publications such as Rue Magazine, Luxe Daily, Better Homes and Gardens, San Francisco Chronicle, and Business Insider Magazine, and a long-established referral network of Bay Area builders and interior designers including Carroll Custom Homes, Bill Fry Construction, Chelsea Court Designs, Korts & Knight, and Sullivan Design Studio. The firm has been in continuous operation for more than 35 years with no external investors, no parent company, and no recorded acquisitions, restructurings, or leadership changes.

Name

Young and Borlik Architects

Legal name

Young and Borlik Architects

Website

https://ybarchitects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Young and Borlik Architects is a private, founder-owned architecture firm in Los Altos, California, that designs custom homes, remodels, ADUs, and small commercial projects for high-net-worth clients across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Junior ADU (JADU) Conversion (HSAPAMAE), Whole-Home Interior Renovation (Non-Structural) (HSAPAEAC)

Keywords

• Custom residential architecture
• Architectural design services
• Residential remodels
• Accessory dwelling units
• Green building design

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Altos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Full-service architecture firm providing design, planning, permits, and construction administration for custom residential projects. Services range from simple designs and feasibility drawings to comprehensive project management through zoning approval and building permit processes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Young and Borlik Architects is a full-service architecture firm providing design, planning, permitting, and construction administration services for custom residential and small commercial projects across the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula. Core offerings include custom new homes and estates, residential remodels, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and smaller projects, commercial buildings, entitlement and permit processing, on-site construction administration, and 3D visualization and rendering services.

Product overview

Young and Borlik Architects is a full-service residential and commercial architecture firm offering an integrated suite of design and project delivery services. The core offering comprises four main service lines: New Homes & Estates (custom residential construction), Residential Remodels (comprehensive renovation services), Smaller Projects & ADUs (accessory dwelling units and smaller-scale work), and Commercial Projects. These are supported by specialized services including Design Services (master planning, architectural detailing, green building), Planning and Permits (entitlement and government approval processes), and Construction Administration (on-site oversight during building). The most granular offering is the 3D Visualizations and Consultations add-on service, which provides rendering, sketching, and visualization tools to help clients understand designs before construction. Together, these services span the complete project lifecycle from initial concept sketches through final construction completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• New Homes & Estates Custom residential new construction including estate homes designed for individual homeowners, spanning multiple architectural styles such as Modern Farmhouse, Georgian Revival, Transitional Mediterranean, Queen Anne Victorian, Classic Craftsman, and Modern designs.
• Residential Remodels Comprehensive renovation and remodeling services that transform existing homes, including style updates such as American Tudor, Mediterranean, English Country, French Country, Modern Lodge, Craftsman Restoration, and Victorian Restoration for individual homeowners.
• Smaller Projects & ADUs Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), pool houses, guest houses, barn conversions, kitchen remodels, arbors, and other smaller residential projects delivered for homeowners throughout the Bay Area.
• Commercial Projects Commercial architecture services for small commercial clients in the Bay Area, including restaurant remodels, office buildings, and preschool facilities.
• Design Services Master planning, architectural detailing, 3D visualizations, green building practices, and design concept development tailored to client needs across residential and commercial projects.
• Planning and Permits Entitlement services including planning department approvals, variances, conditional use permits, special approvals, and construction document preparation for permit applications across Peninsula jurisdictions.
• Construction Administration On-site architectural oversight during construction, including bidding coordination, design revisions, and consultant coordination with structural engineers, interior designers, and other project professionals.
• 3D Visualizations and Consultations Architectural rendering services including hand sketches, SketchUp 3D renderings, Photoshop visualizations, color boards, 360-degree computer models, and video fly-throughs for client presentations and design approvals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully represented hundreds of clients at public hearings
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carroll Custom HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term builder partnership spanning 15+ years. Gus Carroll describes Steve, Andrew and staff as both professional colleagues and personal friends. Works together on high-end custom residential projects including the Atherton Transitional project.
• Chelsea Court DesignscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarie Christine Peterson from Chelsea Court Designs describes Young and Borlik as one of their most highly recommended architects in the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently working on several high-end residential projects together as a design team.
• Korts & KnightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSusan Knight from Korts & Knight has collaborated on two projects for interiors and custom cabinetry. Notes the firm's thoughtful, budget-conscious approach and cooperative working style with clients and other professionals.
• Ned Patchett ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified arborist Ned Patchett has worked on multiple projects with the firm, noting their unmatched commitment and sensitivity to tree preservation on building projects.
• Bill Fry ConstructionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommends Young and Borlik Architects to clients. Notes understanding of families and lifestyles, and appreciation for Cal Poly grads.
• Sullivan Design StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design partner on multiple projects including the Atherton Transitional estate and English Tudor remodel in Palo Alto.
• Eve Waldron DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design collaboration on the Georgian Revival project in Atherton.
• Lindsay ChamberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning interior designer who collaborated on the Queen Anne Victorian project in Palo Alto's Professorville neighborhood and the American Tudor remodel.
• C&C DesignscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design partner on multiple projects including the Transitional Mediterranean project in Atherton and Classic Elegance remodel.
• Lencioni ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral contractor partner on the Georgian Revival project in Atherton.
• Lencioni ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral contractor on the Colonial Style Guest House project.
• Lucile GlessnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design collaboration on the Modern Hillside Home project in Atherton.
• EBCON ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder partner on the Energy Efficient Los Altos project featuring Tesla roof tiles and sustainable building practices.
• De Mattei ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner on the Modern Lodge remodel in Boulder Creek.
• De MatteiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner on the Classic Elegance project.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Feldman Architecture: Mountain View-based architecture firm focused on custom homes, remodels, and additions across the Bay Area. Directly comparable to Young and Borlik in target market, project type, scale, and Silicon Valley homeowner clientele.
• Ken Fulk: San Francisco-based design firm offering architecture, interior design, and hospitality work for high-end residential clients. Comparable to Young and Borlik in Bay Area geography, affluent clientele, and integrated design-services model.
• Studio Schicketanz: California coastal architecture practice specializing in high-end custom homes with site-integrated, environmentally responsive design. Comparable to Young and Borlik in custom residential focus, premium client profile, and emphasis on sustainable design.
• Aidlin Darling Design: San Francisco-based architecture and design studio with strong residential portfolio and award-winning custom home work. Comparable to Young and Borlik in Bay Area geography, integrated architectural services, and design-led reputation.

Regional players

• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based design practice known for high-end custom residential projects and site-specific architecture. Comparable to Young and Borlik in custom residential focus, design-led approach, and firm scale, though serving a Pacific Northwest market.
• Marmol Radziner: Los Angeles-based architecture and design firm specializing in high-end custom residential projects. Comparable business model of design-driven custom residential architecture for affluent clients, though operating in Southern California.

Broad incumbents

• Robert A.M. Stern Architects: Large national architecture firm with diversified practice spanning residential, commercial, institutional, and master planning. Comparable in custom residential portfolio but at significantly greater scale, geographic reach, and brand breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Young-and-Borlik-Architects-Inc-106131902742182
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/young-and-borlik-architects-inc-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Young and Borlik Architects