Matt Knigge

Studio 101 Designs Review

Matt Knigge
Studio 101 Designs Review

Studio 101 Designs is a designer, architect, and project manager for both modular and site-built homes based in Petaluma, California. They specialize in green, modern homes with a design emphasis on simplicity and clean aesthetics. Their pre-designed homes range in size from 422 square feet to 2,848 square feet and feature a modern air-tight building envelope, energy star appliances, efficient lighting, and passive heating. While Studio 101 can design a wide variety of styles, many of their custom homes also take on a sleek modern design with horizontal wood siding, sliding glass walls, and flat roofs. Green features such as low-flow plumbing fixtures, low-VOC paint, bamboo flooring, FSC certified cedar siding, cedar cabinetry, and radiant in-floor heating are common as well. Studio 101 can build homes with off-grid features like solar paneling and their homes often reach net-zero-energy efficiency.

While Studio 101 works on both custom modular and traditional home projects, they partner with Kaufmann Studios for pre-designed floor plans and with local factories like Blazer Industries for prefabrication. All interior and exterior sheathing, utility lines, interior partitions, and stairs are completed in the factory, with Studio 101 overseeing the process. Once prefabrication is complete, modules arrive on site 90% to 95% complete, where they are set on a foundation by crane. Studio 101 then works closely with a third-party builder who assembles the modules and finishes all site work, with Studio 101 providing full construction administration services. 

Strengths:

  • Design green modern homes with a simple, clean aesthetic

  • Willing to manage all phases of the build themselves, including construction administration services

Reasons they might not be for you:

  • You are looking for a firm that specializes in more traditional home designs like Ranch or Colonial

  • They are outside your price range

Keep reading to view Studio 101 Designs reviews and ratings, Studio 101 Designs pricing and cost info as well as photos, and other company facts.

Company Studio 101 Designs
Year Founded 2010
Website http://www.studio101designs.com/
# of Models 3 styles with 18+ configurations
Areas Served United States, though largely operate in California
Homes Built 30+
Headquarters Petaluma, CA
Pricing $400-450+ per sqft for completed home by 3rd party builder
Pricing Structure All fees amount to 7-8% of the construction cost, which includes everything from design to construction administration
Reviews
Yelp 5 stars
Houzz No reviews
Creates Custom Plans Yes