What Homeowners Say About Working With Us
I have worked with Richard on many projects for many years now, and find him to be one of the better architects in town. It is always a pleasurable experience for the client and for me. His designs are lovely and well thought out. When we run across an architectural dilemma, he is able to come up with clever solutions on the spot. He is very willing listen to my ideas and the clients, and to help incorporate them into the plan, if they work. I find that builders also like him because his sets of plans are much more comprehensive than most architects. I am always assured that when I refer him, the client will be completely satisfied.
Richard Blumenberg is such a talented architect; I hardly know where to begin. Richard completely designed and rebuilt our home. We never interviewed any other architects. We never miss an opportunity to tell Richard that we feel like we’re in a five star hotel when we are in our bedroom and bathroom. We couldn’t be happier. I think one of the best things I can say about Richard is that he really LISTENS to his clients and works with them to ensure that the end result is something both client and architect can be proud of. Throughout the years, we have had the privilege to recommend Richard Blumenberg to many friends and colleagues. The only ones who have been disappointed are the ones who chose NOT to use Richard.
Richard Blumenberg has always treated our projects as priorities and is always so pleasant and accommodating. He’s overcome many challenging technical, functional, aesthetic, and city-related obstacles, and always invents creative ways to achieve even our most complex objectives.
Richard has designed two houses for us, one on a cliff and the other in a glade. Each presented difficult challenges that Richard was able to overcome. His work resulted in classic houses of great beauty, delivered on time and on budget. He overcame the inevitable construction surprises and design changes because he is a gifted problem solver. We would never consider anyone else for our next project and are proud to call him our friend.
Richard impressed us with the artistic yet homey solutions he created for our 1,700 square foot add-on in a challenging space. He internalized our wish list and showed great tenacity in tweaking his design until it satisfied even criteria we realized we had never really articulated. Richard was equally fabulous during the construction phase, frequently inspecting the progress and meeting with us and the contractor to ensure that our vision became a reality.
When it was time to select an architect to do an addition and remodel to my 60-year-old home in Beverly Hills, I needed to find an architect who could appreciate the intricate detailing of the house and integrate the new and old into a harmonious design. I chose Richard Blumenberg because he had helped the previous owner remodel the home and was honest with me about what needed to be done. The completed design incorporates rusticated granite veneer, limestone quoins and caps, and a slate roof, which perfectly matches the existing house.
Richard is a gifted architect and a pleasure to work with. He does what he promises. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of an architect.
I am currently working with RLB Architecture on a major renovation of a house with a client. It is a small house onto which we are adding about 1,000 square feet. Although the house is small, the project for my client is HUGE! Richard brought so many ideas to the table beyond what we were asking for. He identified opportunities to expand the space that will both add value and make my client’s life in the home so much better. Richards experience has made each step of the process a delight for my client. He listened to her initial desires, worked with her as a team to incorporate her ideas (and mine) and is now following the building period carefully, which is really helping the homeowner relax through the process.
After many interviews with various architects around town, we had our first meeting with Richard Blumenberg and knew immediately he was the right architect for us. The home Richard built us far exceeded our expectations. He was patient, thoughtful and a pleasure to work with, and his involvement and diligent oversight during the project resulted in a flawless home built on time and on budget in less than nine months.
We live in a hillside home located in Rustic Canyon that was originally built in 1928. We loved the home for its location and its many charming features that simply are not available in today’s contemporary houses. However, the home was badly in need of a “make-over” to bring it up to date in terms of earthquake safety, efficient plumbing and electrical systems. Make-over is probably an understatement; it needed to be stripped down to the frame and rebuilt. Based on everything we read and heard from people who had experience in major remodels, choosing the right architect was viewed as the key to a successful outcome.
In early 2007, we began searching for an architect. We were interested in a professional who understood our desire to maintain our home’s charm without imposing any preconceived notions about how the house should turn out. We interviewed five architects including Richard Blumenberg. At the end of the process our choice was clear; Richard’s extensive knowledge about local building requirements, his attention to detail and his willingness to listen to our needs and desires set him apart from all others. During the crucial design phase, he met with us frequently and was always available to answer questions or discuss ideas. His friendly, easy going demeanor helped dispel anxieties that can become overwhelming during major construction projects. His design elements reflected good taste and practicality that greatly enhanced the curb appeal of the finished product. We particularly appreciated his patience while walking us through this process. As novices we needed his to help to convert our dream house into a visual reality.
When final drawings were presented to us it was obvious that he put extraordinary effort into his work – no detail was left to imagination. As a result, the plan check and permit process occurred without unnecessary delays. During construction Richard was our partner every step of the way. He helped us select a competent contractor and even reviewed the contract to ensure it met his and our expectations.
His detailed construction documents helped guide the project from start to finish with a minimum of conflict or cost overruns. During the twelve months of construction Richard spent hours on the job site supervising construction and explaining the process to us. His tenacity in representing our interests during construction was value added. Undoubtedly, had he not been so personally involved the house would not have turned out as it did.
Whether you are considering a major remodel or a simple room addition Richard Blumenberg is the right choice. We give this endorsement not only from personal experience, but also from other clients of Richard’s we interviewed before making our final decision. He is competent, creative and honest. We were so satisfied with our relationship with Richard that we would not hesitate to use him again if the need arises.
We worked with Richard Blumenberg from fall 2013 to fall 2015. He designed and oversaw the major remodel of our home, which included adding square footage, removing walls, relocating the staircase and adding an elevator. From the moment we met Richard, we were impressed by his professionalism, attention to detail and warm response to what we wanted. We gave him a long wish list, and he gave us what we wanted and more. It was a pleasure working with him and we would hire him again should we ever decide to embark on such an adventure again. We absolutely love our home, thanks in large part to Richard’s design and assistance throughout the project.
RLB Architecture is a joy to work with! Richard and his staff are true professionals who know their craft. We have been working with Richard since 1993, and he consistently delivers beautiful and complete architectural designs and drawings. We recommend him to anyone contemplating a custom home!
We have worked with Richard Blumenberg twice and with such stellar results! The first time was to modify the look of the front of our house. This project, which evolved to completely remodel much of our living space, progressed with enthusiasm, creativity and collaboration. We are so happy with the house we have now.
About 18 months later, we tackled our master bath, closets, windows, etc. Richard is truly a master of his craft and his discipline. He is exacting in the construction phase, but open-minded and a true problem-solver in the design process. Extremely easy to work with, experienced in all aspects of structural design, light, space and proportion. We can’t recommend him highly enough. A truly talented professional.
ABOUT
RLB Architecture is a high-end architecture and design firm that provides custom design, planning, drafting, and construction administration services for projects in the Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Malibu, Santa Monica, and other Westside communities. Richard L. Blumenberg is the proprietor.
LEGAL
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REACH US
RLB Architecture
15200 Sunset Bl, #201
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
(310) 459-0244
richard@rlbarchitecture.com