Business Details
31 Years
experience
Expert Architectural Design & Urban Planning in Berkeley
Arnold Mammarella Architecture & Consulting + Consulting is a Bay Area-based practice with over 35 years of expertise in residential architecture, housing design, and urban planning. Founded in 1995, the firm combines deep knowledge of architectural styles with a holistic approach to design, prioritizing how built environments enhance human wellness and community vitality. Our work spans private residential projects, public-sector consulting, and housing typology research, informed by peer reviews of over 4,000 projects. We specialize in contextually responsive design, balancing modern and traditional precedents while addressing environmental, aesthetic, and regulatory challenges.Our consulting services support cities in implementing zoning policies, design guidelines, and neighborhood plans, fostering collaboration between stakeholders to achieve functional, beautiful developments. With a focus on hillside environments, historic preservation, and high-density housing solutions, we aim to transform spaces into places that elevate daily life.
Services
Residential Architecture
Housing Design
Design Review Consulting
Urban Planning
Neighborhood Planning
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of experience in residential and urban design.
- Our holistic approach integrates environmental, aesthetic, and regulatory considerations.
- We specialize in hillside environments and historic preservation.
- Our consulting services have shaped zoning policies in 5+ Bay Area cities.
- We prioritize client collaboration through every project phase.
Services
Residential Architecture
We create custom residential designs that harmonize with clients' lifestyles, site conditions, and neighborhood contexts. Our approach balances functional needs with aesthetic innovation, incorporating passive solar principles, material authenticity, and spatial flow. Projects range from modern interpretations of California styles to historically accurate restorations.
Design Review Consulting
We provide objective design evaluations for cities and developers, ensuring projects align with zoning policies and community goals. Services include peer reviews, graphic analysis, and conflict resolution for single-family homes, multifamily developments, and mixed-use projects across the Bay Area.
Housing Design
Our housing expertise spans courtyard, row-house, and mid-rise typologies optimized for density and livability. We develop family-friendly designs and policy frameworks that address California's housing crisis while maintaining neighborhood character and pedestrian-friendly urban forms.
Urban Planning
We advise municipalities on zoning regulations, specific plans, and design guidelines that shape sustainable growth. Our work integrates land use analysis, historic preservation standards, and neighborhood-scale planning to create cohesive, adaptable urban environments.
Neighborhood Planning
We craft site-specific neighborhood plans that balance density with quality of life, using traditional urban design principles. Services include feasibility studies, streetscape design, and policy development to create walkable, mixed-use communities aligned with local regulations.
People
Arnold Mammarella
Principal Architect + Consultant
Licensed architect with 35+ years of experience in residential design, urban planning, and policy consulting. Former Oakland planning supervisor for post-firestorm rebuilding efforts. Expert in housing typologies, zoning regulations, and design review processes across the Bay Area.
Questions
What architectural styles do you specialize in?
We work in traditional California styles (Craftsman, Spanish Eclectic, Mid-Century Modern), Prairie Style, and contemporary Modern designs, ensuring proportionate, contextually appropriate solutions.
Do you consult for city planning departments?
Yes, we've provided design review and policy guidance to Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Concord, Emeryville, and Oakland since 1995, including zoning updates and specific plan implementations.
How do you approach hillside home design?
We address fire safety, grading, and view optimization while creating site-integrated designs. Our Oakland Hills experience informs sustainable, code-compliant hillside solutions.
Can you help with historic preservation projects?
Yes, we conduct reviews using Secretary of Interior Standards, balancing historical accuracy with modern functionality for residential and commercial properties.
What makes your housing design approach unique?
We prioritize human-centered 'dwellings' over generic 'units,' applying courtyard, row-house, and cluster typologies to achieve density without sacrificing livability or neighborhood fit.
