Modern House

What Modern House does

Modern House (operating as Modern House Architects) is a privately held, owner-operated architecture firm founded to specialize in modernist custom residential design. The firm is led by principal architect Curt Cline, who brings over 30 years of Traditional-Modernist experience, including prior commissions at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and a Julia Morgan historical renovation. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with a secondary office in Honolulu, Hawaii, and operates across California (San Francisco Bay Area, Palm Springs, Los Altos, Atherton, Saratoga) and Hawaii (Kona, Kailua).

The firm's core offering is full-scope custom architectural services spanning new construction, mid-century modern and Eichler remodels, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), pool houses, and multi-residential developments. Service delivery follows a project-based professional services model, with design fees structured as a percentage of construction cost or fixed design fees per project, quoted on a per-engagement basis. Execution relies on a curated partner ecosystem that includes general contractors (Clarum Homes, Pacific Isle Homes, Stratos Development), structural engineers (SFA Design Group, Murar Engineering, PROVEST), civil engineers (BKF Engineers), a landscape architect (FIELD Landscape Architecture), and energy consultants (Monterey Energy Group).

Go-to-market is sales-led and referral-driven: clients are reached through direct engagement, press coverage in publications such as Architectural Record, California Home & Design, Architect Magazine, and Interior Design, and word-of-mouth from past clients. The primary customer segment is high-net-worth homeowners seeking bespoke modernist residences, with a secondary, smaller segment of commercial clients for office and tenant improvement work. The firm maintains no external investors, parent company, or disclosed institutional ownership, operating as an independent design practice.

Name

Modern House

Legal name

Modern House

Website

https://modernhousearchitects.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Modern House Architects is a privately held architecture firm led by Curt Cline that designs custom modernist residential projects, including new homes, mid-century modern remodels, and multi-residential developments, for high-net-worth clients across California and Hawaii.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Luxury / High-End Home Construction (IMAFABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Custom Home Building (IMAFABAC), Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build) (HSAPAEAI), Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), Home Office / Studio Additions (HSAPADAI)

Keywords

• Residential architecture services
• Modernist home design
• Custom home architecture
• Mid-century modern renovation
• Architectural design services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Project-based professional services revenue from custom residential architecture, remodels, and multi-residential projects. Fees likely structured as percentage of construction cost or fixed design fees per project.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Modern House Architects provides custom residential architectural design services for high-net-worth homeowners, specializing in modernist custom homes and mid-century modern renovations. Core services include new custom home design, remodels, ADUs, pool houses, and multi-residential projects across California and Hawaii. The firm delivers projects from initial concept through construction administration, collaborating with a trusted network of general contractors, landscape architects, and structural/civil/energy consultants.

Product overview

Modern House Architects is an architecture firm specializing in modernist custom homes. The firm offers a unified suite of residential design services centered around new custom home construction and renovation projects. The core offerings include New Residential Projects (custom modernist home design across California and Hawaii), Remodel Projects (mid-century modern renovations and residential updates), and Multi-Residential developments. Additional services include Competition Projects and On the Board conceptual designs. The firm provides full architectural services from concept through construction, collaborating with landscape architects, general contractors, structural/civil engineers, and energy consultants. Principal architect Curt Cline leads the firm with over 30 years of experience in Traditional-Modernist architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• New Residential Projects (Custom Home Design) Custom residential architectural design services for new modernist home construction across California and Hawaii, covering projects in locations such as Hawaii, Palo Alto, Atherton, Los Altos, Saratoga, and San Jose. Services span from initial concept through construction administration and are targeted at high-net-worth homeowners seeking distinctive modernist residences.
• Remodel and Renovation Projects Renovation and remodeling design services for existing homes, with specific expertise in mid-century modern homes, Eichler remodels, and residential updates. Representative projects include Sunnyvale remodel, Ross Road remodel, San Rafael Eichler remodel, Saratoga remodel, and San Anselmo midcentury remodel, aimed at owners seeking to modernize mid-century properties while preserving original character.
• Multi-Residential Projects Multi-unit residential design services for developers and property owners, including the Elevation Hawaii project and other multi-residential developments across the firm's operating geographies. Intended for clients seeking modernist design applied at a multi-unit scale rather than single-family residences.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, regular and minor.

• Stratos Development InccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on multiple residential development projects in Hawaii, including Eclipse and Kukio residences. Stratos Development serves as general contractor and development partner on these projects.
• Christopher Yates (FIELD Landscape Architecture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular collaboration as landscape architect on residential projects including Palo Alto Residence, Hidden Hill, Flying V Pool House, and various others. Long-term working relationship across multiple projects.
• Clarum HomesregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership on multiple Atherton and Los Altos residential projects including Selby Lane and Los Altos Residences.
• SFA Design GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred structural engineering partner across numerous projects including Palo Alto Residence, Eclipse, Cook Residence, Flying V Pool House, and Class M Residence.
• Pacific Isle HomesregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for Hawaii-based projects including Cook Residence and Puako Beach Residence.
• Monterey Energy GroupregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnergy consulting partner on multiple California projects including Palo Alto Residence, Los Altos Hills, San Jose Residence.
• Murar Engineering and Design, IncregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partner for Hawaii projects including Puako Beach and Cook Residence.
• BKF EngineersregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCivil engineering partner on multiple projects including San Rafael, Palo Alto Residence, Eclipse, and Cook Residence.
• Assassi ProductionsregularOthersPhotographer credited on multiple project pages including Hawaii Residence, Palo Alto Residence, Selby Lane, Los Altos, and Flying V Pool House.
• Thomas PrinzminorOthersArtist whose work is featured in Selby Lane, Los Altos, and Saratoga Remodel projects.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Bohlin Cywinski Jackson: Multi-office architecture firm recognized for modernist residential and institutional design, including the Apple Store prototype and numerous custom homes. Comparable to Modern House in modernist design DNA and custom residential expertise, though materially larger and more diversified across typologies.
• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based architecture and design firm renowned for high-end custom residential and hospitality projects with a strong design-identity-driven practice. Comparable to Modern House in client caliber (high-net-worth), customization model, and emphasis on craft and material expression, though larger and more diversified across geographies.

Direct peers

• Shope Reno Wharton Architecture: New York and Palm Beach-based architecture firm known for high-end custom residential design with classical and modernist influences. Comparable to Modern House in serving ultra-high-net-worth clients on bespoke single-family commissions, with similar project-based fee structure.
• Walker Workshop: Los Angeles-based boutique architecture studio focused on modernist residential design with an emphasis on craft, natural materials, and contextual integration. Comparable to Modern House in firm size, aesthetic philosophy, and high-end custom residential client base.
• Feldman Architecture: San Francisco-based residential architecture firm focused on contemporary and modernist custom homes and renovations. Direct peer sharing Bay Area geography, modernist sensibility, and a similarly sized boutique practice serving affluent homeowners.
• Aidlin Darling Design: San Francisco Bay Area architecture studio known for contemporary residential design with strong indoor-outdoor relationships. Direct peer to Modern House in regional focus, modernist aesthetic, and high-end custom residential portfolio of comparable scale.
• Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects: California-based architecture practice with a strong residential portfolio including modernist custom homes and renovations. Comparable to Modern House in regional presence, modernist design sensibility, and mid-century modern expertise, though broader in scale and typology.
• Marmol Radziner: Los Angeles-based architecture and construction firm specializing in modernist custom homes and mid-century modern restorations. Direct peer to Modern House in aesthetic philosophy, client demographic (celebrity and high-net-worth homeowners), and integrated design-build delivery on luxury residential projects.

Emerging players

• Studio Yabu Pushelberg: Internationally recognized design firm offering interior design, architecture, and product design for luxury residential, hospitality, and retail clients. Comparable to Modern House in luxury segment focus and integrated architecture/interior design offering, though oriented more toward interior design leadership.
• Studio Becker | Ehl Architecture: Boutique architecture firm working on modernist and contemporary residential projects in Northern California. Comparable to Modern House in scale and modernist orientation, with overlapping Bay Area client pool though a less established press footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/modernhousearchitectssf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/modern-house-architects

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 Modern House