Blackbird Designs

Specialties

Our Specialty is Residential Remodels and Additions. A sub-​specialty is building beneath, either by raising an existing house, excavation, or a combination of both. We have done 14 such projects and are now involved with two for the same lot. Check out my blog at «Build​ing​Be​neath​.blogspot​.com».

We have also done a number of new houses, redesigns of ‘kit-​houses’ and whole-​house renovations, mostly for owner-​builders.

Our commercial projects include two Mixed-​Use projects, a Professional Office Building, and four restaurants.

For a limited time period, mention Yelp and get 50% off an initial consultation!

History

Established in 1990.

Blackbird Designs, like many businesses, grew in fits and starts.

Andus worked as a carpenter for many years before deciding to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture (started in the 60’s) and add larger design work to his repertoire. (Many carpenters are also designers, as they work to solve unexpected problems and changes to given designs.)

Then, while working on a two-​story addition in Albany, CA he fell out of a window and broke neck vertebra. Fortunately, his boss Phil Johnson, knew what to do because he had broken his back not too long before. Andus was kept immobile all the way to the hospital and thereby saved his neck!

Needless to say, the surgeon later suggested very strongly that carpentry be something of the past, so Andus struck out to change careers. He likes working with people so he considered becoming a teacher or therapist, but ended up designing full-​time after successfully designing an addition to his own house.

He got the Architect’s License in 1999.

Meet the Business Owner

Andus B.

Business Owner

A Curriculum Vitae can be found at the Blackbird Designs website, www​.Berke​leyRe​model​.com

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«Art has provided the best service for my cars for at least 25 years! Personal Customer Service.»

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Bakeries

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Coffee & Tea

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Desserts

Andus B. says,

«Great desserts. Good coffee. Wonderful people.»

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Contractors

Andus B. says,

«I’ve worked with Dan on many remodels and have never had a dissatisfied customer. All glitches have been minor and were worked out promptly.»

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Andus B. says,

«David and I have done numerous remodels together and have rarely had any glitches of any magnitude.»

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Contractors

Andus B. says,

«I’ve worked with John on two residential remodeling projects, one quite spectacular, with no real glitches.»