Todd Jersey Architecture: Bay Area ADU and Residential Design Firm
Todd Jersey Architecture (TJA) is a sustainable architectural design firm based in Berkeley, California, serving all nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Founded over 30 years ago, the firm brings a context-sensitive and performance-driven approach to a wide range of project types, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), new homes, remodels, historic preservation, multi-family housing, commercial buildings, and infill projects.
As a reporting signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment, TJA actively works toward high-performance, low-impact design aligned with rigorous sustainability goals. The firm's founder, Todd Jersey, brings a background as a trained builder combined with over 30 years of architectural experience — a combination that gives the firm a practical understanding of construction costs, methods, and materials that is relatively uncommon among design firms.
ADU Design and Accessory Dwelling Unit Services
One of TJA's core specialties is the design of accessory dwelling units. The firm works with residential property owners across the Bay Area to develop ADU projects that are appropriately sized, code-compliant, and financially realistic. Their services as an ADU contractor and design firm cover the full project lifecycle, including:
- Feasibility studies and site analysis
- Custom architectural design for detached ADUs, garage conversions, JADUs, and in-law suites
- Construction documents and permitting
- Construction administration
TJA places particular emphasis on "rightsizing" ADU projects — finding the appropriate scale that balances a homeowner's budget, site constraints, and the unit's long-term utility. The firm is knowledgeable about both California state ADU legislation and the varying local guidelines across Bay Area jurisdictions, including cities like Berkeley where additional ordinances may expand development options.
A recent example of their ADU work includes a 540 square foot detached one-bedroom ADU in San Mateo, built on a site where an existing shed was demolished to make room. The project was designed with high energy efficiency in mind, featuring super insulation, all-electric appliances, skylights, and FSC-certified lumber. A deck connects the ADU to the main house, making it functional both as a home office and guest space.
Architectural Design and Consulting Services
Beyond ADU work, TJA offers a broad range of architectural and consulting services. With over 300 completed projects, the firm has developed expertise across residential, commercial, and historic preservation categories. Todd Jersey is also a certified Permaculture Designer — trained with Permaculture founder Bill Mollison — and the firm integrates ecological principles such as water management and native planting into its site design work.
TJA is trained in Building Science and Passive House best practices, applying this knowledge across all project types. The firm has experience with offsite and modular construction dating back to the late 1990s. They are also an award-winning preservation firm, with a strong commitment to the restoration and reuse of existing buildings as a means of reducing embodied carbon.
On the consulting side, TJA offers the following services:
- Building science assessments and water intrusion diagnostics
- LEED design consulting — the firm designed the first LEED Gold Hotel in the nation in 2003
- Safety inspections and remediation plans for exterior elevated elements on multi-unit buildings
- Interior and exterior color consulting, including paint, stain, lime-based paints, tile, and waterproofing specifications
TJA's overall design philosophy centers on balancing the needs of people and the planet — delivering buildings that are healthy, functional, and ecologically responsible, while remaining attentive to budget and practical outcomes.
