David Baker Architects

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David Baker Architects

David Baker Architects: Sustainable architecture with a signature character and a social conscience

David Baker Architects (DBA) is a nationally recognized, locally oriented architecture and urban design firm with a focus on sustainable, mixed-use communities that support stability and connection. At the nexus of housing, climate, and community, DBA’s work seizes opportunities to enact meaningful change—forging strong partnerships to create livable density and resilient, human-centered places th

at uplift communities at all scales. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Birmingham, Alabama, DBA’s diverse, collaborative team is committed to designing and leading with expertise, curiosity, tenacity, pragmatism, and joy. We design thoughtful places that allow communities to thrive and that serve as a “multiplier of good”—that is, that enable and support engagement, connection, and other neighborhood benefits.

18/06/2026

What if affordable housing could be better and faster and cheaper?

1633 Valencia is helping prove the possible.

The 145-home community for formerly homeless seniors in San Francisco's Mission District was completed in just 19 months at approximately $525,000 per home, roughly half the cost often associated with affordable housing development in the Bay Area.

The project's success is the result of several factors working together: innovative financing, early collaboration between the development, design, and construction teams, a design-build delivery model, and a commitment to finding efficiencies without compromising quality or resident experience.

Today, the building is nearly fully occupied and providing residents with stable housing, supportive services, and access to the neighborhood resources that help communities thrive.

As housing affordability challenges continue across California, 1633 Valencia offers an important example of what can happen when partners rethink traditional development processes and work toward a shared goal: delivering more housing, more efficiently, for the people who need it most.

We're proud to have partnered with Housing Accelerator Fund, Mercy Housing, Cahill Construction, Felton Institute, and many others to bring this vision to life.

The project has recently been featured by the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Standard, and San Francisco Examiner, each highlighting a different aspect of the story and the lessons it offers for the future of affordable housing.

San Francisco Chronicle:
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-affordable-housing-cost-20352231.php

San Francisco Standard:
https://sfstandard.com/2026/06/03/affordable-housing-accelerator-fund-valencia/

San Francisco Examiner:
https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/urban-development/sf-senior-affordable-housing-project-opens-in-the-mission/article_98c70bc0-084b-4f70-94b9-e0767bdc8fbe.html

15/06/2026

As wildfire smoke and extreme heat events become more common, multifamily housing providers face a growing challenge: how to keep residents safe when outdoor conditions become hazardous.

In this blog, DBA's Katie Ackerly, Chelsea Johnson, and Anne Riggs explore practical strategies for improving resilience in affordable housing. The article outlines three key actions during smoke events:

• Keep unfiltered outdoor air from entering homes
• Filter and recirculate indoor air
• Minimize indoor sources of pollution

The piece also examines the limitations of current building systems and highlights long-term opportunities to improve preparedness through better filtration, cooling strategies, policy updates, and funding incentives.

As climate change continues to impact our communities, resilient housing design plays a critical role in protecting public health—especially for seniors, low-income families, and residents with disabilities.

Read the full blog on our website!

12/06/2026

We're excited to share that the North Berkeley BART Transit-Oriented Development Plan has received a 2026 Urban Design Merit Award from AIA California!

Transforming nearly eight acres of surface parking into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood, the plan brings 739 new homes, including 50% affordable housing, more than 50,000 square feet of public open space, neighborhood-serving retail, a childcare center, and new connections to the Ohlone Greenway.

The award jury praised the project's human-centered design, strong community engagement process, and ability to create a true sense of place while strengthening connections between the BART station and surrounding neighborhoods.

This project reflects a shared vision for creating housing-rich, transit-connected communities that prioritize people, public space, and neighborhood connection.

Thank you to our incredible partners and community members who helped shape this plan.

11/06/2026

Reweaving the urban fabric, one block at a time.

*The Chartwell at Marathon Village* brings 380 new market-rate homes to the neighborhood, including 42 live/work units, 10 townhomes, and over 4,000 square feet of retail space.

With an unusually complex site shaped by an active rail spur, elevated highway, dead-end street, and an extra-long block, the design challenge became an opportunity to rethink placemaking at both the urban and human scale.

By threading a pedestrian-focused slow street through the block, the design creates a connected network of outdoor spaces that prioritize walkability, sunlight, and everyday human experience. The building massing steps down toward the surrounding residential context, helping the project feel integrated into the neighborhood while creating vibrant streetscapes and welcoming courtyards.

Thoughtful city-making in progress.

08/06/2026

Celebrating the grand opening of Colibri Commons alongside our Bay Area team, partners, and community members.

136 new affordable homes in East Palo Alto — and a reminder that the work is always bigger than the buildings themselves. Proud to support projects that help communities thrive.

05/06/2026

Stepping away from the desk and into the field:

Our team recently visited the 850 Turk site, where a parking lot is being replaced with 92 homes in the Civic Center neighborhood. What a great opportunity for DBA team members (beyond the project team) to learn from the project. It's always refreshing to see a project under way.

02/06/2026

A well-deserved spotlight ✨

DBA Principal Amanda Loper, FAIA, was recently featured by Auburn University following her elevation to the AIA College of Fellows, one of the profession’s highest honors.

The story highlights Amanda’s incredible leadership, advocacy, and belief that architecture should do more than create buildings, it should create stronger communities.

From affordable housing to adaptive reuse to mentoring the next generation of designers, Amanda continues to lead with purpose, curiosity, and impact.

Congratulations, Amanda 👏
READ MORE: https://cadc.auburn.edu/apla-alumna-amanda-loper-elevated-to-aia-college-of-fellows/

28/05/2026

Design inspiration is everywhere, even in the surrounding landscape.

At Harvey West Studios, the corten panels and sunshades along the Highway 1 facade were designed to do more than perform—they tell a story connected to place.

The perforation pattern draws inspiration from the white barring of the Nuttall’s Woodpecker, a species commonly found in Santa Cruz County’s oak woodlands and riparian areas. Beyond aesthetics, the panels serve an important functional role, supporting mechanical ventilation for residential PTAC units and kitchen hood exhaust, while the southwest-facing sunshades cast dynamic, dappled shadows throughout the interiors.

In collaboration with BOK Modern, DBA pushed the design further, creating highly dimensional corten panels with triangular faceting and up to 8" of depth.

Where performance, materiality, and local ecology come together.

25/05/2026

A special day at DBA Birmingham ❤️

David Hinson presented Amanda Loper with her FAIA pin—and made the moment even more meaningful by passing along his own.

Becoming a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects is one of the profession’s highest honors, recognizing architects who have made a lasting impact through their work and leadership.

A well-deserved celebration for Amanda 👏

21/05/2026

A recent San Francisco Chronicle piece breaks down how building rules are shaping design — and how a simple code change to allow single-stair mid-rise apartment buildings (rather than how outdated rules now require multiple stairs) could completely change what’s possible.

More light. Better layouts. Real community.

The piece features work from David Baker Architects that shows what the future could look like.

Link in bio to read.

Address

94107

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 18:00
Thursday	09:00 - 18:00
Friday	09:00 - 18:00

Telephone

+14158966700

Website

http://www.dbarchitect.com/

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