Mon Sep 09 14:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Berkeley-based Koch Architects Offers a Glimpse into their Design Philosophy

**Berkeley, CA** – This week, the “Meet Your Next Employer” series on Archinect focuses on California-based architecture firm Koch Architects. Founded in 1998 by principal Joanne Koch, the firm has a portfolio ranging from small interventions to larger residential projects. Known for their collaborative approach, Koch Architects describes their design philosophy as “integrating intuition with experience, precedent with innovation, creative vision with practical constraints.”

The firm is currently seeking an Intermediate Designer for their Berkeley office, and to showcase their work, Archinect has highlighted four residential projects that exemplify their ethos:

* **The Sea Ranch Forest Retreat:** A careful renovation of a William Turnbull Jr. design, this project modernized the retreat while preserving its original spirit, improving functionality and creating a more intimate connection to the surrounding forest.
* **Canyon:** A mid-century home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice Fred Langhorst, this project brought back the original spirit of the home after several remodels. A new accessory building overlooking Mount Diablo was also added.
* **Dean York:** Designed for two winemakers, this home replaces an aging farmhouse in Saint Helena with smaller, interconnected volumes connected by open thoroughfares, featuring a playful butterfly roof. Natural wood floors and ceilings bring warmth and light to the interior.
* **Oxford Street:** A 1952 home in North Berkeley, this project updated the home’s functionality while maintaining its mid-century modern aesthetic. The original footprint was preserved, a below-ground office was created, and vintage laminate countertops were combined with contemporary cabinetry in the kitchen remodel.

The firm also designed a second home and guesthouse in Central Idaho, emphasizing a contemporary aesthetic with minimal forms and offset gable roofs inspired by barns and rural buildings.

This “Meet Your Next Employer” feature is part of an ongoing series on Archinect Jobs that highlights exciting employment opportunities in the architecture industry.

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