What DERN Architecture + Development does

DERN Architecture + Development is a privately-held, principal-led architecture and construction management firm headquartered in Campbell, California (also referenced as Los Gatos), operating across the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento Metro, and San Diego Area. The firm was founded in 2008 and serves mixed-use and urban infill developers, high-end residential homeowners, hospitality and restaurant operators, and commercial office and workplace clients. Its core offerings combine architectural design services with owner-representative construction management under a single architect-led delivery model, covering feasibility, due diligence, entitlement strategy, constructability review, design documentation, and construction administration through closeout.

The firm's technical approach emphasizes architect-led continuity from concept through construction, supported by proficiency in conventional AEC software (Revit, SketchUp, Photoshop, Twin Motion) and demonstrated expertise across Type I, II, and V construction systems including concrete podium, steel, wood framing, and emerging methods such as hybrid Cross Laminated Timber + steel structures with Zero Net Energy design targets. Projects span scales from custom residential remodels and single-restaurant interiors to mid-rise mixed-use buildings (e.g., 141-unit Lyric in Walnut Creek, 49-unit Agora at South Main), with selected hospitality engagements including Marriott and Hilton-branded properties. The firm has also acted as its own developer on at least one residential project (840 Linden in South San Francisco).

DERN's business model is project-based professional services revenue generated through fee-for-service architectural design and owner-representative construction management engagements, supplemented by occasional real estate development income when the firm entitles and develops its own urban infill projects for sale. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific, with no public tiers or recurring contracts. Go-to-market is principal-led direct engagement by Michael Dern (2018 AIA Silicon Valley President), supplemented by industry event participation (Bisnow panels, AIA leadership), a portfolio-driven website, Houzz client testimonials, and earned media coverage including a Mercury News feature in November 2020.

Name

DERN Architecture + Development

Legal name

DERN Architecture + Development

Website

https://dern-ad.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DERN Architecture + Development is a privately-held, principal-led architecture and construction management firm in Campbell, California, delivering architect-led design and owner-representative construction services for mixed-use, urban infill, hospitality, restaurant, office, and high-end residential clients across the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and San Diego.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Residential Building Construction (23611), Nonresidential Building Construction (2362), Land Subdivision (23721), Interior Design Services (541410)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE), Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA), Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Construction management services
• Mixed-use development
• Urban infill development
• Architect-led design build

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Gatos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural design for urban infill and mixed-use development, covering commercial, workplace, retail, restaurant, and hospitality uses. Revenue is generated through professional services fees on a project-by-project basis.
2. Owner-Representative Construction Management: During construction, the firm serves as owner-representative construction manager, coordinating project teams and managing scope, schedule, and quality. Fees are charged for construction administration and project oversight services.
3. Real Estate Development (Architect as Developer): The firm also develops its own urban infill projects, such as the 840 Linden (Wyndfair) project in South San Francisco, where DERN entitlements and develops residential projects for sale.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DERN Architecture + Development is an architecture-led design + build firm that delivers comprehensive architectural design services and owner-representative construction management for urban infill and mixed-use projects in California. The firm covers early feasibility, due diligence, entitlement strategy, constructability review, design and construction documentation, and on-site construction administration. It also acts as architect-as-developer on select residential infill projects such as 840 Linden (Wyndfair) in South San Francisco.

Product overview

DERN Architecture + Development is an architecture-led design + build firm offering a complete solution of architectural design and owner-representative construction management. The company operates as a single unified service offering, providing architectural design services combined with construction management for urban infill and mixed-use development across California. Their portfolio includes architectural design and construction management projects spanning Mixed-Use (Agora at South Main, Lyric), Restaurant (Perry Lang's, MidiCi), Hospitality (Marriott City Center, Hilton Homewood Suites), Office Workplace (16212 Los Gatos Blvd, EM Lab P&K), and Real Estate Development (840 Linden). They bring an architect-led delivery approach to every project, from early feasibility and due diligence through entitlement strategy, constructability review, design and construction documentation, and owner-representative construction management during the construction phase.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Comprehensive architectural design services for urban infill and mixed-use development, covering commercial, workplace, retail, restaurant, and hospitality uses, with a focus on residential-driven projects across California. Delivered for developers, restaurant and hospitality operators, custom homeowners, and commercial office clients.
• Owner-Representative Construction Management Construction management services where DERN serves as owner-representative, coordinating project teams and managing scope, schedule, and quality through design and construction phases for projects including mixed-use, hospitality, restaurant, and office workplace developments in California.

Quantifiable outcome

• Perry Lang's received AIA Silicon Valley Interior Architecture Merit Award (October 2020)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Laconia Development, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Laconia Development, LLC hired DERN Architecture + Development as Architect of Record, Construction Management, and tenant lease-up assistant for the Lyric mixed-use project in Walnut Creek, CA (141 residential units + 35,000 sq ft retail). DERN provided on-site presence for problem-solving and construction coordination through project completion and Certificate of Occupancy (April 5, 2018).
• McNamee Construction Company, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMcNamee Construction Company, Inc. served as General Contractor for the MidiCi Neapolitan pizzeria project in Monterey, CA, bringing DERN's design vision to life in the mixed-use space at 467 Alvarado Street.
• Skyline Capital BuilderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSkyline Capital Builders served as the Design+Build general contractor for Perry Lang's New American chophouse in Yountville, CA. The firm was part of the integrated design team including DERN and Theresa Fatino Design that delivered the award-winning restaurant project completed in October 2019.
• Theresa Fatino DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheresa Fatino Design was part of the design team (along with Myers Food Service Design Group, Miyamoto International, and DERN) for Perry Lang's award-winning interior architecture. The collaboration combined interior design and food service design expertise with architectural services.
• Smith + Smith of San FranciscominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmith + Smith of San Francisco collaborated with DERN Architecture + Development on the landscape architecture package for the 840 Linden (Wyndfail) residential development in South San Francisco, meeting drought-resistant planting and landscape requirements while designing terrace and rooftop spaces.
• IBA Consultants West, LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIBA Consultants West, LLC worked with DERN Architecture + Development on the Marriott Oakland City Center exterior restoration project, providing structural engineering and technical consulting to identify and coordinate details for fixing problem areas of the exterior facade, roof, pool deck, and other building elements.
• Deacon CorpcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDeacon Corp managed the Agora at South Main project in Walnut Creek, CA. DERN became a reliable resource at construction coordination meetings with Deacon and their subcontractors, serving as a point of contact for answers and direction through the construction phase.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 DERN Architecture + Development