square three architecture, inc

Working with Square Three Architecture has been a pleasure. Very detailed plans and an extremely responsive team willing to work through all the "curve balls" construction throws in a productive manner. Always pleased to know I'll be working on a project with this Firm.

I have worked with the square three architecture team, in particular, principal architect and co-owner Carl Hesse, on three comprehensive remodel projects: two in California and one in Florida starting in 2012 - present. The scale of each of the three projects involved a comprehensive/complete renovation/rebuild plus interior design including the selection and design/layout of cabinetry, flooring/tiles, paint color/sheen, lighting, hardware, appliances, plumbing fixtures, accessories, furniture, fabrics, rugs, and window coverings. Last year, square three completed my home in South Florida without setting foot in the state. Two of these projects, Carl had never worked with the contractor. Both of them found he was very pleasant to work with and they loved his drawings as they were comprehensive and detailed. Throughout the course of the project, the contractors would say, "I wish all architects provided drawings like square three's because all the details are laid out thoughtfully.'” square three is an exceptional, creative, and thoughtful architecture practice with incredible design skill. In addition, square three understands how to deliver a home that is functional, not just a house. Carl is very patient and professional which is integral to working with both contractor and client symbiotically. His attention to detail, even through virtual meetings, with my contractor in Florida is quite impressive. His ability to understand proportion, scale, massing and pattern makes the design of the home flow! The square three team and their technical knowledge is first rate. square three has the experience and skill that make their firm one of the best out there.

Carl, Camden, and the Square Three team were superb to work with. Our family needed help adding on to an old home. Carl and Camden created a design that worked beautifully for our large family, respected our original home, and created a magical addition that met every hope we had to have ample room, modern features, and connection to the natural landscape of the rest of our property. They were detail oriented, clear communicators, professional, friendly, and always available to answer questions. We can’t recommend them any more highly. And, though we moved in several months ago, we still pinch ourselves everyday at the space they helped bring to life.

Square Three is equally skilled at designing for both aesthetics and function. One of the greatest benefits of working with them is their experience and ability to push on your thinking. For example, we would request a certain design which seemed like a norm to us. Tom would explain the pros and cons and suggest alternatives. After living in our home, we can fully appreciate his wisdom. The team is also very systematic, detail oriented, and responsive. This helped with identifying and resolving issues during the build. They expertly guided us through the complete process from pre-design to building completion.

Carl and Nikki are leading the efforts of my house addition and remodel in Woodside, CA....not one of the MEGA mansions, my house is on 2.5 acers and is a modest place originally built back in the 1950's. They have been great to deal with and have taken my project from conceptual design, through planning approval (had to navigate some variances) all the way to permit approval. The process was smooth, professional and they brought a human touch that made working with them fun. I am in the process of construction right now and they are supporting me along the way. I own one of the larger commercial general contracting firms in the bay area and have turned over the trust of the design of my house to Square Three and couldn't be happier.

Tom, Huan, and the entire Square Three team are fantastic. They are very detail-oriented and will take your project from start to finish making sure your contractors and their sub-contractors build your project as specified. Their whole team is a pleasure to work with and they answer all your questions in great detail. Their designs are beautiful and maximize the use of your space. If you want them to, they will specify everything down to the screws. If you have a hard time deciding on fixtures or anything (choices are endless!), they can guide you in the right direction and help you choose something that is chic and stands the test of time. I worked with Square Three on an entire house remodel and addition in Palo Alto around 2010 and they did a fantastic job. Thirteen years later, the house and its interior still look beautiful. It was my parents' house and they fixed all the weird quirks in the original house built by some speculators back in 1987. Now the house is enjoyed by my folks and their grandchildren. Most recently in 2022-2023, Square Three did an entire first-floor remodel and tenant improvement job at an office building we bought in Palo Alto. The space started out as a maze with rooms and random hallways built in 1982. The original building has stood since 1957. Tom and his team redesigned the entire first floor, brought everything up to code, and helped make the office fit our company. We are now enjoying a beautiful space that we plan to occupy for the next few decades. Some folks may think, "Hey, I don't need an architect. I can figure this out with a general contractor." While that may be true, there are certain things that professional, licensed architects bring that we can't. They will coordinate structural engineers, make sure your plans will pass the city's muster, and design your space in a way you would never have thought of. Their imagination, creativity, and professional training add tremendous value to your project. They are well worth the money you pay. Five stars all the way around. If you want the best in the business, you hire Square Three for your project. They've done countless projects in the College Terrace area in Palo Alto and all throughout the Peninsula.

I've worked with many architects over the more than 30 years I've been in residential construction on the peninsula. Carl and Tom and the team at Square Three are far and above my favorite to work with. We've worked together for over 20 years now and Square Three is always my first recommendation when a client asks for a design referral. Their design sense is very sharp and creative and their ability to translate the concepts into a clear, detailed and buildable blueprint is exceptional. The clarity of the drawings allows me to create more accurate estimates for the client, minimizes down time during construction to work out design issues and helps avoid confusion and surprises as both the client and the builder are clear on the scope. When there are questions that arise during construction, they are quick to respond and very collaborative in their approach. The engineers and consultants that are part of Square Three's team are equally responsive and easy to work with. I consider it an honor each time I'm invited to work with the Square Three team. They are simply the best.

Carl and Tom (and excellent colleagues) have been working and developing custom high-performance homes in Palo Alto for more than a decade. I especially appreciate their inspiration from classical and biophilic design, i.e. the golden ratio. Also, they have a proven track record in high-performance building performance through programs such as Passive House and GreenPoint Rated.

We love square three! They were approachable and available for our questions and needs, listening well and explaining things thoroughly. We felt Tom Carrubba really "got us" and our design aesthetic which was very comforting. Overall, a daunting process was made relatively easy with square three professionalism, expertise and hand-holding along the way.

Carl (Sensitive Information Hidden) of Square Three took over the design and remodel of my house in Palo Alto along with Dowling Builders in 2017. Excellent remodel, nice touches by the architect throughout the house. The house has been a joy to live-in since the remodel--not something that is always apparent when you start out. Remodel included 2 new bathrooms, the third bathroom had already be rebuilt by Dowling in 2009.

If I could give square three six stars, I would. I have worked with the entire team (Carl, Tom and Camden) at square three architecture on three separate new home projects spanning 23 years. Each project has resulted in a highly customized and unique home (the most recent project is currently under construction) requiring creativity, tremendous problem solving and on-going engagement/support by the Firm. (When you add up the time I have worked with their team, I believe I have had active engagement with them for ~12 years!) I cannot say enough good things about everyone there and have NEVER felt a lack of support or responsiveness. The Firm is professional, disciplined and committed to doing a great job on our behalf. They pay attention to the details and use the most modern tools to create a lovely space for our family. They are friendly and always there for you. If you are considering square three, call Carl or Tom, you will not be disappointed.

We wanted a house that was "friendly modern," and this fit Square Three's aesthetic perfectly. We felt they did a particularly good job with built-ins and utilizing space in general. Tom listened carefully to what we wanted and did not try to push rooms or areas we didn't need. The flow of the house has ended up working just as we hoped, and we love the wide open floorplan and all the natural light. Tom worked successfully as a project manager as well as an architect. He not only helped us pick a GC, he arranged weekly meetings with the three teams which I think helped the velocity of the project (though it still took a long time!) but I think more importantly minimized miscommunications between the various groups. Square Three has good relationships in the builder community -- with good lighting consultants and so forth -- which we also appreciated.

We were incredibly impressed with the work that the team at Square Three did on our house remodel and extension. Tom and his team exceeded our expectations in every way: their attention to detail at each step, their patience with us and our multitude of questions, and their overall kindness and understanding were truly amazing. We felt quite overwhelmed by the whole process, but Square Three's guidance was invaluable and it gave us such peace of mind. We really enjoyed working with Tom and his team and absolutely love our new and improved house.

We had a wonderful comprehensive experience working with Tom Carrubba of Square Three. He did an amazing job visualizing what we wanted (even though we didn't always know ourselves!), keeping us on track, and creating our perfect space. We are really enjoying and appreciating a lot of the big features and little touches that Tom suggested, and he was also great at incorporating/making reality ideas of our own invention (like a "cat cubby" with its own litterbox venting/circulation system!). I especially appreciated Tom's guidance on things like materials and finishes, from pointing us toward vendors to suggesting several to choose from for lighting, hardware, etc., which made the whole process and many choices feel less overwhelming. We went all in with Square Three and although our project overall (especially the construction) was a lot more expensive than we had originally planned on (in part due to our ultimate choices), we felt the investment in Square Three's services was well worth it and key to getting the home we wanted. We heartily recommend Tom and Square Three and would use them again!

We hired Carl Hesse to completely gut and overhaul our ranch house. He was amazing in the vision he helped us craft and the many details he created without us even having to think about it. The spaces are all wonderfully sized and lit, and the finishes are contemporary and warm. Our visitors are stunned by all the great details such as the hallway with a desk and shelves, and most are quite jealous of our generous and bright kitchen with the very functional island. Our parents love the guest suite that is central to the house yet also private. And we love getting up in the morning to the natural light from our windows, and our luxurious bathroom and closets. His insights in helping us craft initial concepts, gentle nudges regarding important decisions, and flexibility in letting us chose our own path, have all played out in the home of our dreams.

In our experience, the best projects start with a collaborative design team consisting of the architect, designer, and builder. The end result will be wonderful home that was a joy to build. As an established interior design firm in Palo Alto, we’ve had the pleasure of participating in many such “dream” teams with Square Three Architects. Carl Hesse and Tom Carruba are committed to providing their clients excellent design and a positive building process. Their projects are thoughtful, creative solutions to their clients’ individual needs. We highly recommend Square Three for your residential project.

We recently finished a complete remodel of our home, designed by architect Tom Carrubba of square three. From the beginning Tom was fantastic! His initial design included some great recommendations for modernizing and expanding the house using the existing footprint. When the initial demolition revealed some serious hidden structural issues the resulting "fix" was better than the original. We now have a new home that fits us perfectly. Throughout the entire process Tom was quick to respond to any questions we had, and his interaction with our contractor and other vendors helped the entire project to move smoothly. He made a point to get to know our style, and gave us our perfect home!

We are Meschi Construction, Inc. - a General Contractor who builds custom homes in the Santa Cruz area. We have had the opportunity to work with various architecture firms over the years. We are currently nearing completion on a project designed by Tom Carrubba, of square three design studios. Tom and his firm are easily among the best architecture firms we have worked with. Tom's details are carefully thought out and communicated clearly on his plans which is extremely valuable for a builder. Proper design begins with meticulous planning and it is apparent that Tom succeeds in this approach. The best testament to their service and end product are with the repeat clients they have. It is evident that Tom develops close relationships with his clients and consistently delivers what they are looking for in a professional design. We are currently working with several clients of Tom's that are repeat customers of his firm which speaks volumes.

We hired Square Three Designs for a complete remodel of our home inside and outside. The transformation from a simple ranch style to a contemporary style was amazing and beautiful. The attention to detail, the ability to bring together various elements, clearly reflects why their designs are so clean and good. It was a pleasure to work with them.

We hired Carl Hesse for the design of our new home. After meeting with many architects we choose his firm and were very happy with the selection throughout the process. He listened to what we wanted, and had creative ideas to achieve the home we desired He navigated us through the city approval process with ease. He was always professional, available and knowledge. Furthermore he was patient in educating us to help us with the many decisions we had to make. We are very happy with our home and would hire him again.

We hired Square Three to remodel our home in Palo Alto and had a great experience. Tom Carrubba was our contact and lead architect, and he was very easy to work with, understood what we were looking for and provided lots of ideas and options to consider. They seamlessly integrated the new and the old while creating an expanded and improved version of our home-- we were very happy with the design work, as well as the final build. They were also realistic and respectful in regards to the budget and what we hoped to accomplish. It was a great experience and we certainly recommend them whole-heartedly.

We hired Square Three Design Studios to help us with a complete remodel of our home in Palo Alto. We found their entire group pleasant, thorough and effective. We use every inch of our space, built to meet the lives that we enjoy leading. We would use them again.

I have worked with Square Three Design Studios for over 20 years as the geotechnical engineer on numerous new residences and remodels. Carl and Tom are seasoned architects with the practical knowledge and design savvy to creatively work through the issues that can come up on a project. The completed projects I’ve visited are spectacular!

Carl and Square III designed our home in Menlo Park. We wanted a home that was modern and warm. Carl is creative and original, and was able to design a home we love within the constraints of our lot and location. For example, we spent time in a riad in Marrakech and loved the oasis feeling of the interior courtyard. Carl took this concept and designed an atrium upstairs with a large skylight above, that opens onto a balcony overlooking the street. This is a lovely space in the house. We love that all the spaces in the house get lived in, there's no wasted or unused space, we spend time everywhere. One area where we really struggled was budget. In the end we spent far more than we thought we could afford. Carl helped us find a contractor who was the best fit for us and they worked together to make it possible for us to live onsite during construction. Our project took 2+ years to complete, and was difficult and frustrating at times as most people going through building a home will tell you, but we are incredibly happy with the result.

We had the pleasure of working with Carl and Pearl to design our home. Carl listen to our needs and delivered a design beyond expectations. As we live in the home, we continue to be impressed by their attention to detail and beautiful design. We also decided to work with Carl on the interior design because we knew this will be the best way to keep the interior design consistent with the vision Carl had for our home. We cannot express in words how helpful Carl and Pearl were during the construction of the house. Not only did they help us a lot in choosing the materials for the house interior, but their help was crucial in building the house according to plans. Their attention to detail and to our preferences combined with their innate sense of space were amazing. Their work exceeded our expectations. We are very pleased to have hired them and we are very happy with our new home. Update (Sep 2023): After many years, we are continuing to enjoy our home and we are so grateful for how the design meets ours functional needs and provides for a beatiful home. The aesthetics are blending into a timeless design that still brings joy every day!

Our experience with Square three's Tom Carrubba could not have been better. He came to us well recommended by our designer. As "advertised" he was creative yet very practical in his approach to remodeling our 1950's home into a completely updated and very attractive residence we can now really enjoy. From start to finish Tom managed his portion of the project well, communicating effectively with us, interfacing with the city process efficiently, and working cooperatively with our builder. His adaptability in all areas was very impressive and he was truly a pleasure to work with. We couldn't be more pleased with how the project turned out and wouldn't hesitate to hire him again should the need arise. Roger and Lynn Winkle

I have had the pleasure of working with Square Three Design Studios for almost 20 years. As a Structural Engineer I work with a variety of architects. To me, Square Three is that perfect blend of creative, professional, practical, & personable. One thing that continually impresses me with Carl & Tom is their versatility. From simple remodels to intricate custom homes they deliver quality designs that are handled responsibly & tailored to their client's needs. When it was time for me to design my own home I chose Square Three. -Ryan Billante Principal, BKG Structural Engineers

We were very pleased and impressed with the level of detail and preparation that we experienced working with Carl and his crew. They came recommended from a friend and we were not disappointed. Beyond their outstanding design skills, the real value in working with Square 3 was: 1) They had worked with the General Contractor (Kitaura Construction) on many previous projects. This creating a seamless working relationship when their were questions, modifications and the various developments that inherently will crop up on a project of this scale (2,500 sq. ft. new home construction). 2) They were very knowledgable of the Menlo Park building code and requirements which again, expedited the process at various stages, the most critical being getting the project approved through the Planning Commission. I could go on and on about how great the company is but here is a piece that might be more helpful: so many other people we knew doing new construction at the same time as us had chosen the cheaper route of hiring a designer instead of an architect. Most of these projects hit all kinds of snags (e.g. designing something that was not structurally feasible given the $$ and time constraints, designer unaware of exactly what the city planners required in the drawings to get approved, etc.). This cost those people time and money that was lost / wasted. We chose to spend the money to have the project planned, drafted and approved meticulously correct the first time, and finished our project in just under a year. It went very smoothly with a big piece of the credit going to Square 3 since they were responsible for the front end forethought of the project. Thanks again for our beautiful home! The Harris Family

Tom and Pearl were thorough and thoughtful in explaining the pros and cons of various options. They were patient with us when we changed our minds (sometimes multiple times) about features we wanted. They built us a beautiful house that we are extremely happy with!

Carl did a great job, particularly with space planning. Listened to our needs and came up with creative solutions. Years later we are still enjoying the decisions we made.

We hired this firm after interviewing 12 other architects and architectural firms. We liked Square Three's work and felt they would be good to work with. They exceeded our expectations. They have made a business of building homes in towns like Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola Valley and Atherton. That means they have highly intelligent/highly demanding clients with many difficult approval processes and tough building requirements. We refer to them as the 'word of mouth' architects as they rarely do any marketing. They are hired by folks who see and like their work. They are respected in our community for their professionalism and our review process with the Town went very well and it was a complicated house to build. We have lived in the home they designed for us for over 3 years now and continue to love it and appreciate the work they did here. Not only did they design our home, they helped us with contractor selection, project management and we did not use an interior designer--we worked with them to do our interiors. We get ongoing compliments on our home (from other architects, other builders and many visitors) and it has been featured in a national magazine. Tom/Carl and staff are highly professional, they are tremendous listeners. (Which means they designed the home we wanted. In our selection process we interviewed one very prominent San Francisco architect who told us they could design our home in 4 meetings. No offense but that means they won't be listening to what we want in a home. Square Three does listen.). They are great problem solvers. They are thorough and provide solid designs (which means the contractors love working with them, there are few to none mistakes to correct and there are few if any expensive construction surprises to fix). We cared greatly about the quality of the design, we did not find them to be more expensive than the other architects we spoke with. And truly the bulk of the expense of building a house is not the architect design costs it is the cost of building the house and it is the cost of changing the designs after construction begins. We had few changes as they were so thorough. From start to finish we had a wonderful experience working with them and their team--from talking with other folks who have built homes that is not a normal experience. We would highly recommend them.

Carl and Tom were professional and helpful, and listened carefully to our needs. They gave us pros and cons of various design options, including details plans and budgets. We have a wonderful home in Palo Alto thanks to them. Square Three's design team produced great plans, worked with the city and contractor to help build us a house on time and on budget. I highly recommend them and we love our house.

We had a positive experience from start to finish working with square three design studio. Professional, timely and receptive to client input. Highly recommend hiring square three to check-in periodically with builder which will save you in the end. Learn more about our energy efficient design in Houzz: http://www.houzz.com/photos/11665319/My-Houzz-Simple-Living-Inspires-Efficient-Northern-Californian-Home-contemporary-dining-room-san-francisco

They produce good designs that tend to be on the more modern end of the spectrum. Carl, the founder has a good aesthetic as does Tom. They are not ideal if you have a tight budget as they put design ahead of cost.