We create well crafted and meaningful architecture. Our work is in the city, in town and in the country. We define ourselves by delivering projects which are beautifully conceived and deftly built, creating structures that age with grace.

Group Photo

Richardson Pribuss Architects creates coherent, sophisticated site-sensitive design. Our focus is neither on the scale nor scope of the program, but on the opportunity to enrich our clients’ daily lives with considered solutions that marry what is desired with what is required. Similarly, we strive to enhance the site and neighboring context both through intelligent design as well as with sustainable solutions. We are known for architecture that is built on honest and patient dialogue with our clients and for trusted partnerships with our team of consultants, artisans and builders. We believe in creating valued relationships that continue to be cultivated over time.

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About RPA

Richardson Pribuss Architects is an architectural and interior design firm focussing on residential and commercial projects throughout Marin County and the greater Bay Area. Established in 1984 by Heidi Richardson and renamed in 2019 to reflect the partnership of long-term Design Director Andrew Pribuss, the Mill Valley-based firm is known for navigating complicated zoning and permitting constraints to create timeless designs; be they ground up houses, construction on challenging hillside sites, or renovations of any scope.

The company we keep.

Consultants & Contractors

Successful projects are designed to meet our clients’ programmable requirements and less tangible aspirations, as well as meet their budget and schedules. Our ability to successfully and efficiently navigate the approval process in various jurisdictions is one of the hallmarks of our practice. We have averaged over 25 client ‘Design Review’ successes annually, through the various Marin town and city municipalities. Direct and open communication with the municipalities and other stakeholders is key.

We have assembled a team of consultants with whom we meet bi-weekly to review project scheduling, client expectations, as well as taking a Team approach to problem solving. This well-oiled machine keeps project schedules on track. Our clients benefit from this seamless coordination. In addition, we have a group of builders at hand who can assist with an early budgeting exercise.

We have been in business (in one form or another) since 1984. One reason we thrive is the company we keep and their passion for building honestly and respectively.

Artist Studio at Dusk.

Cottages, Cabins, Tiny Houses, ADUs

In an attempt to increase affordable housing units, the State of California has relaxed local standards on accessory dwelling units (ADU’s). This legislation came into effect January 1, 2020. The new legislation is still evolving and we are following the changes.

Over the past 12 years, we have designed over 25 of these units, some embedded in new residences, but most are freestanding. The need for small houses has been apparent for some time, whether it is intended for a caregiver, aging parent, boomerang children or as a steady income stream.

The design of efficient small houses demands deft handling of details, spatial organization and interconnection, and must also resonate with the individual setting. We have experience and expertise in this area and recently were asked by the San Joaquin County to produce a pattern book of designs with are building permit ready. We are currently exploring the use of modular or prefabricated pieces in order to lower construction costs.

Firesafe Design Photo

Firesafe Design

With the devastating wildfires of the past two years, we believe architects should take the lead in means and methods for firesafe design.

These strategies include not only awareness of the latest material technologies, but also siting for new houses, as well as the “spaces in between.” Designing building forms which are formally less complex will be the new normal. Managing vegetation and strategies for defensible space in wildland areas, as well as suburban properties, is crucial.

Negotiating these requirements with other municipal mandates such as Historic Preservation, Design Review Guidelines and Green Building Techniques, can be a challenging path for the uninitiated. We have been successful in this balancing act in the past few years and continue to sharpen our skills in this area.

We currently have an all-concrete guesthouse under construction in Petaluma, as well as three new firesafe houses underway in Mill Valley.

The scale of our office allows for an honest team approach, sharing the talents and knowledge from our versatile group with every client.

  • Heidi Richardson

    Heidi Richardson

    Principal, Architect

    Heidi Richardson is involved in every phase of design: from site strategy to municipal approvals, to management, lending consistency and efficiency to the process. The result of this attitude has been numerous awards in historic preservation, interiors, seismic renovations, and in the role of Project Architect for several associations with internationally known architects. Her work has been published widely in Architectural Record, Architecture, House and Garden, Home, and Sunset Magazine among others.

  • Andrew Pribuss

    Andrew Pribuss

    Principal, Architect

    Andrew enjoys working closely with clients to create not only a pleasing, creative design solutions, but to ensure the process is as enjoyable as the finished product. He is also interested in the expanding variety of sustainable building practices that are developing in the field and incorporating them into his practice.

  • Jamie Amdurer

    Jamie Amdurer

    Senior Architect

    James has a passion for detail, a deep knowledge of building standards, and a keen understanding of how these parts make up the whole.

  • Joe McGuire

    Joe McGuire

    Senior Designer

    Having grown up in Marin County under the tutelage of a father who is a general contractor and a mother who is an artist, Joe was inspired by the process of building homes as well as the inspiration of design. After studying Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado, he moved to Lake Tahoe where he helped design residential properties around the lake and in Martis Valley, Truckee. Since then, Joe has been designing a substantial portfolio of homes for the last 20 years from San Mateo to Healdsburg.

  • Richard Chapman

    Richard Chapman

    Senior Interior Designer

    Richard is a versatile creative designer with a proven history of producing engaging innovative solutions and aspirational environments. Richard works to the highest level of proficiency creating architectural documentation from initial concept to full construction packages with Vectorworks. Richard has worked at several design firms in New York and eventually launched his own interior architecture services company creating designs for residential, retail, key brand concepts, and installations. Richard joins the Richardson Pribuss interior design team, expanding the firm’s interior design services.

  • Jack Dakin

    Jack Dakin

    Senior Designer

    Jack addresses projects holistically, working from start to finish on concepts, tackling everything from scouting locations, naming and branding, solving water pressure problems, and interior design. Jack has led a string of successful launches, ranging in scope and scale from large hospitality projects to intimate restaurants.

  • Danielle Velasco

    Danielle Velasco

    Senior Interior Designer

    With over 13 years of experience, Danielle has worked in hospitality, residential, including both high end single-family and multi-family, commercial and restaurant design. Her expertise and knowledge from the variety of work has proven valuable and allows her to have an acute attention to detail. She has learned to wear many hats, and is not afraid of taking on new challenges. Danielle is passionate about design and believes there is always a solution that incorporates both beautiful form and function. A Southern California native, Danielle has called the Bay Area home for going on 18 years. She loves to cook and travel and is constantly inspired by such.

  • Shan Jones

    Shan Jones

    Interior Designer

    Shan is a designer/maker, originally from the United Kingdom. She studied three dimensional design at Manchester University exploring the world of glass, wood, metal, ceramics, and jewelry design. She then spent several years traveling the world before continuing her studies with the University of California Berkeley extension in interior architecture. She draws on these global experiences for every project and her interior design work. She recently joined Richardson Pribuss Architects after a career in home styling. Shan brings a deep knowledge of materials, textures, furnishings, and modern west coast style.

  • Jennifer Cagle

    Jennifer Cagle

    Designer

    Jennifer draws on twenty years of interior design, real estate investment, and property management experience to create unique solutions and inspired design. With a passion for space planning and problem-solving, she enjoys finding the sweet spot between a client’s wish list, project constraints, and a pleasing aesthetic. Jennifer studied design in Chicago, surrounded by the works of architectural greats Burnham & Root, Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Jennifer has lived in Marin since 2008 and still finds daily inspiration in the natural beauty that surrounds us.

  • Mehgan Francis

    Mehgan Francis

    Designer

    Mehgan brings a strong understanding of the built world to projects while working as a residential carpenter in Maine while earning her degree. She has refined and developed her design approach and experience to adapt to west coast styles and standards after moving to Sonoma recently. She brings with her a passion for problem solving and is dedicated to creating designs based on how people truly interact with the space – “designing for how people actually live”. Mehgan enjoys helping individuals achieve their vision, with a focus on intertwining aesthetic beauty with practical function.

  • Adam Nuru

    Adam Nuru

    Junior Designer

    Adam is a highly enthusiastic designer who recently graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Having a diverse background — born in England, yet raised in Botswana, South Africa, and Nigeria — has allowed Adam to develop a deep interest and understanding of the various methods utilized in architectural planning and design. His previous experience as an intern for a construction and engineering firm, including Cahill and Soha Engineering, allowed him to develop his passion for design/build. His outside interests include technology, design, and photography.

  • Zoe Zheng

    Zoe Zheng

    Junior Designer

    Zoe Qiaoyu Zheng is from Southern China and moved to San Francisco to pursue her Bachelor of Architecture from Academy of Art University. She joined Richardson Pribuss Architects in 2021 after graduation and is excited to start her architecture design career with us. Zoe is an architectural designer and creative seeker at heart. She has a huge passion for learning new skills, facing challenges, and solving problems. Zoe is a quick and eager learner and has quickly assimilated into the office. She is already making huge contributions to our design projects.

  • Grace Johnson

    Grace Johnson

    Junior Designer

    Grace joined Richardson Pribuss Architects after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she got her degree in Architecture and minors in Italian Studies and Art History. She has always expressed herself through art and mixed media, and she continues to do so through architecture. She feels that creativity is fueled by experience, and therefore welcomes new challenges with a humble and curious mindset.

  • Kristin Silmore

    Kristin Silmore

    Office Manager

    Kristin has worked as a consultant with numerous small business clients to provide marketing and business services. In her spare time, Kristin still pursues her passion for baking after building a successful local Mill Valley catering and wholesale baking business. She loves finding solutions, introducing new ideas and creating efficiencies for her clients and family.

  • Francois DeBeer

    Francois DeBeer

    Draftsperson

    Our contract draughtsman is Francois, and nothing makes him happier than drawing lines on paper. He has been doing this for decades now, and stops only to tend to his dogs, chickens, fish, vegetable garden, or to watch any rugby match.

Let’s build something together.

Get in touch.

General Inquiries

(415) 380-0474

Office Location / Mailing

447 Miller Avenue, Suite D
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Designer/Architectural Draftsperson

We are looking for a dynamic Designer/Architectural Draftsperson with 3–5 years in the field. We are an established Marin/San Francisco Bay area architectural and design firm specializing in residential, restaurant/hospitality and commercial design. We pride ourselves on our ability to define the client’s individual tastes and style and incorporate into the design of site responsive spaces. We desire designers who value client interaction, team work and designing site-specific strategies. Must be competent in Vectorworks and located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hours and salary flexible. Great opportunity for upward mobility. EEO.

Send resumes, samples of completed projects, and three references to: info@rp-architects.com.