Andrew Morrall Architect - San Francisco, California

Kris P.

Our decision to hire Andy as our Architect was based on his extensive experience with 3rd story additions and extensive remodels in San Francisco. We proceeded to the design phase with Andy. We were really excited by all of the design options Andy presented. We especially appreciated how Andy listened to us and was able to catch and develop the design wave we were trying to create. Due to circumstances not in our or Andy's control, we have decided not to proceed with the project past the design phase. We found Andy great to work with and would highly recommend him as your Architect for residential additions and remodels in San Francisco!

Mike R.

Our 80’s style kitchen needed a complete makeover. A lot of the rooms in our outer sunset house were cramped and makeshift, due to an existing exterior atrium space in the middle of the house. We wanted to enclose the atrium and make it part of the kitchen, and a 3rd story addition to our existing 3rd story bedroom. We chose Andy as our architect to help us realize our vision. From the offset Andy was enthusiastic and offered so many really creative ideas.

One design problem was the skylight over the new kitchen island. The new skylight ended up directly in front of our new 3rd story window wall with views of the Golden Gate. Andy’s solution was to make the skylight a sculptural piece with decking and surrounded by planters. Andy worked with us to the final design, a unique lantern style skylight with opaque glass. This is just one of many of the creative solutions Andy offered and help us create.

During the design phase, Andy provided 3D views of the proposed options. This was really helpful for us making design decisions. He brought in a contractor that has worked on many of his projects over the decades, to provide a preliminary estimate during the design phase. This was before we submitted to the planning and building department for permit. We found this really helpful, keeping our expectations and budget on track.
Andy was great meeting with the neighbors to explain our proposed project. Again Andy creatively solved ours and the neighbor’s concern about shadows being cast on their adjacent solar roof panels. Andy was able to design the 3rd story addition towards the north of the home as to cast no shadows. He was also sure to keep the front of our home completely intact, the new 3rd story addition was not visible from the street. This helped to simplify the planning submittal and a faster turnaround in the permitting process.

We highly recommend choosing Andy as your Architect!

Eamon G.

I have had the opportunity and pleasure to work with Andy as the Architect on my projects in San Francisco over the past 8 years. The projects have ranged from 1,000 square foot house additions and entire house remodels down to designer kitchens.

Andy's architectural documentation and detailing are extraordinary and the most thorough and comprehensive I have seen. He backs these up with site visits and a thorough knowledge of best building practices. One greatly appreciated benefit of working with Andy is that during the design and document phase so many issues are completely thought through and solved prior to construction . I most certainly find this the exception and not the rule on projects. When problems do arise during construction – and they always do - He is able to creatively problem solve through any issue and responds promptly, sticking with an issue until it is solved.

Not only have I had the opportunity to work with Andy on some really well designed and beautiful projects, I have had the satisfaction and peace of mind working with an Architect that is well-heeled that really cares about and understands every aspect of a project. Having Andy as the Architect on my projects gives me the highest level of confidence. Things are going to be well thought out, thoroughly detailed and done right.

I always jump at the opportunity to have Andy as the Architect on my projects and so look forward to having Andy on my team. Over the years Andy has been key to successful projects that I can point to as best examples. He is most definitely a prime reason I have been able to build my business over the years and has given me so many countless referrals of my own that are of the highest caliber. For his Creativity, knowledge and professionalism, I wholeheartedly and without hesitation recommend Andy as your Architect!

DW T.

After interviewing several Architects we hired Andy as the Architect for our house addition and remodel in the Lakeside Terrace Neighborhood of San Francisco. We’ve found Andy very professional and knowledgeable. He was enthusiastic in solving the design problem and presenting 2 very creative and effective solutions to choose from. Andy listened to all of our concerns and ideas and was very thorough in explaining and responding to our questions. Andy’s design is keeping with the style of the original home while opening up a portion of the existing Kitchen and Dining Room. Andy’s design features a unique solution of a cathedral ceiling for the ground level addition that ties in with the Main level of our split level home. One of our concerns was safety for the new ground floor addition. Andy proactively offered several practical solutions. One will allow for a large stacking sliding glass door with a retractable rolling screen for security.
A main concern for us was cost and budgeting of the project. We appreciated Andy’s candor and honesty when assessing the construction budget early in the project. A unique way Andy works with clients is that he will invite contractors that have worked on his past projects to develop a working budget during the design phase.
Andy has been an invaluable asset, especially during covid, for all of the submittals and dealing with the planning and building department. He is enthusiastic in being our advocate while dealing with the planning and building department. He is willing to negotiate, and where needed push back. We have very much valued Andy’s skill, talent and attention to detail throughout the project. We enthusiastically recommend Andy as the Architect for your project!
Andy has been steadfast in responding and moving the building permit through San Francisco. We have now broke ground and started construction! Andy has been available and attentive during construction, including site visits engaging in valuable exchanges with the contractor and responding to as-built conditions on the site.

Vivian S.

We've been working with Andy for the last several months on our 3rd and 4th story addition project in upper Noe Valley.

Communication:
Andy is organized, efficient, and clear in his communications with us. He was also upfront with us from the beginning about the potential challenges our project would face, from city building regulations to neighbor considerations, but always presented solutions to the issues.

Design:
Andy has been able to take our high level requirements and turn them into an elegant and practical design that is above and beyond what we originally imagined. His in-depth knowledge of the city codes has also been reassuring - we really appreciate his focus on the goal of making this a smooth, low drama process.

Process and Cost:
Finally, Andy's wealth of vetted and reliable industry contacts has helped us determine a working budget early in the process - this has been invaluable for ensuring we're comfortable with the major changes to come. Andy and his contacts have all provided reasonable pricing, considering the scale of the project we are undertaking.

We're really happy working with Andy, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him for any projects in SF!

thomas B.

As an established custom home builder in San Francisco, I have had the opportunity to work with Andy on many of his large scale residential projects. In addition to Andy's creativity and design talent, I am impressed with Andy's knowledge of construction and how well he is able to communicate his ideas. Andy provides a truly amazingly detailed set of construction documents from which to bid and build from. This not only results in a better designed and built home, it also provides a format where tighter and more accurate proposals can be provided. This results in fewer change orders during construction. Andy creates a team approach with the contractor, the homeowner, and himself as the architect. In many of Andy's projects, he'll access our expertise in bidding a project early in the design phase. This allows Andy to design to a client's budget and provide design services based on real costs, not hypothetical or generic cost estimating which often prove to be in-accurate. Andy is also available during construction to make site visits to answer any questions and proactively offer suggestions related to the plans before the next phase of construction. As a well-rounded architect with decades of experience, knowledge of construction and a passion for problem solving, I could not be more enthusiastic in recommending Andy as a residential architect for your next project.
Thomas Buchanan
Hammerhouse Construction, Inc.

Jeff K.

Andy has been our Architect on numerous projects over the past 8 years.

The most current project Andy has designed for us is a 2nd story Master Bedroom Suite in Pacifica. As always, Andy took extra care during the design phase and offered a unique solution for the roof of the addition. The modified Dutch eave roof of the new addition blends seamlessly with the existing roof, while adding dramatic design interest for the existing mid-century bungalow ranch. This, and countless other design insights are what distinguishes Andy. His sensitivity and passion for design, his creative problem solving, has been exemplary on each and every one of our projects Andy has done for us over the years. As always, the design and permitting went smoothly, was on time, and Andy’s design documents were impeccably detailed. Andy added a touch of excitement, creativity and professionalism to the project that reflected positively on our midsized established design-build firm. The value of having an Architect such as Andy, who has actually built several of his own designs, is that everything is so thoroughly thought out and detailed prior to the start of construction. I enthusiastically recommend Andy as the Architect for your next residential design project.

Louie T.

I have known Andy for over 33 years, following and being a part of his career. I first met Andy while he was apprenticing at Chicago Architect's offices while going to school, working his way through IIT. Over the years I have had the opportunity to hire Andy as an Architect. He has provided me with some very creative design solutions while I was Pastor at several different parishes. Andy developed some really beautiful concept designs for expanding and retrofitting several older parishes. I have known Andy as an Architect, an Artist, and a friend. I have watched his creativity and skills as an Architect develop into a seasoned professional with a thriving practice as a San Francisco Residential Architect. I attended his first art opening as an emerging artist in the north shore Perimeter Gallery in Chicago's gallery district; visited San Francisco during the completion of his first home he built in 2001, and his newest hillside home he just recently completed in 2016. I Iook forward to following Andy's career, and highly recommend him as your Architect for your next residential remodel or new home in San Francisco and the Bay Area.