About
Manzanita Design Build, general contractor for the Oakland, Berkeley, Marin and East Bay area. We started Manzanita because we love creating carefully designed and crafted spaces people can feel at home in. Spaces where you can relax, connect, and celebrate all of life’s little moments.
Our Team
Obsesses over window proportions and GANTT charts. Can be found deep in the garden, surfing with Thor, or geeking out on the latest sci-fi novel with his cat Pierre.
A master of challenging framing and finish carpentry, Chris puts the craft in craftsmanship. When he’s not on the job site he can be found soaking in hot springs under a meteor shower.
A devotee of architecture, sculpture, and furniture design. In his non-carpentry life he can be found surfing with Ben and studying the daily lives of crows.
“Ben’s keen eye for finishes and penchant for integrating woodwork wherever possible helped create a modern yet warm space that complements the rest of our house and is totally in tune with the Oakland hills.”
Our Philosophy
Sustainability
Construction uses large amounts of energy-intensive resources. We always seek to use materials that minimize the impact of our projects, as well as efficient construction techniques to reduce energy use for the life of the building. The end result is a comfortable and durable home that will last for generations and honor the resources that were used to create it.
Inviting the outside in
The Bay Area climate allows for seamless indoor-outdoor connection throughout the entire year. All our projects look to connect the home and natural landscape, bringing in ample sunlight while creating spaces to fully appreciate the climate and natural beauty that are abundant around us.
Materiality
As carpenters we have a sincere reverence for wood as both a structural and aesthetic material. We take every opportunity to allow the inherent beauty of wood, concrete, steel, and glass to come through in a simple and natural way.
Place
All projects exist in the context of a physical site and a human community. We appreciate the knowledge and craft that went into existing homes and seek to leave exemplary work for future generations. We strive to create an appropriate interaction between the home and its surrounding neighborhood, city, and community.
Craftmanship
Craftsmanship is pride in your work, respect of your materials, and the ability to work collectively. We work with carpenters, subcontractors, and suppliers that share these values. We create an environment where each element of the construction process can be a work of beauty and the final product is a shared success.
Open Communication
Great work is built on trust and relationships. Our job sites are places of respect and authentic behavior. We depend on trust with our clients as well as great relationships with our subcontractors to overcome the inevitable hurdles of the building process.
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Looking for general contractors in the Oakland, Berkeley, Marin or East Bay area?
We're all ears
We can’t wait to hear about your vision, answer any preliminary questions, and share more about our process. Contact us to take the first step toward your dream space.
