About STUDIO FETTER ARCHITECTURE

There is intention and delight in how we create a space. In our work, the imperceptible is rendered tangible. We believe that it is details that shows the quality of architecture.

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Studio Fetter is an innovative architecture firm that specializes in sustainable design for residential, commercial, educational, and mixed-use projects.  We design environments that artfully express the individual qualities of our clients, their needs, and the joy of great and effective spaces. We are a nimble firm and we pride ourselves on consistently providing outstanding, truly responsive service.

Brant & Team

The TEAM, In the age of the Internet

Currently, we utilize a workflow that processes Brant’s hand sketches and drawings by 5-7 independent contractors ranging in experience from drafters (in Bangladesh, The Philippines, Ukraine, Germany, and Spain) to a California registered Architect (who currently lives in MN.) Skype is a wonderful thing.

This is Brant

Brant Fetter is a Registered Architect and the Principal of the firm. A member of the industry’s leading professional organization, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), he has more than 14 years of experience in the field and has been a guest lecturer at AIA events. Brant’s positive and collegial management style fosters highly productive teamwork with everyone from clients to contractors – and he credits much of his success to the valuable contributions of the sterling professionals with whom he has collaborated.

Brant has worked on a variety of architectural projects including IMAX theaters, hotels (150~200 rooms), assisted living facilities (50-100 beds), mixed-use projects, large shell (and tenant improvement) historic renovation, grade schools, cellular tower installations, and a large heliport at the Grand Canyon.

Brant is an expert on the principles of energy-efficient design as they relate to compliance with California’s Title 24 energy code, as well as programs such as the California Solar Initiative. Incorporating his practical experience with structural systems and energy efficiency early in a project helps to greatly streamline the design process.

Brant is a certified Green Building Professional. Even before it was popular, Brant strove (and encouraged others to strive) to design and build in a higher-performing way that also saves materials, energy and money. In addition, the ability to build with provably sustainably harvested materials wood has greatly improved. Build It Green, “Green Point Rating”, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) are sets of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. Brant has worked on LEED projects, and many standard practices and designs used by Studio Fetter are endorsed by both LEED and Build it Green.

Brant is the former chair of, and a current member of, the City of Richmond California Design Review Board.

Brant and TJ at Morrison Project
Brant and TJ at Morrison Project

Brant’s undergraduate experience at the University of Washington included rigorous training in engineering and structural principles. His graduate studies at the Rhode Island School of Design’s Architectural Master’s program rounded out his academic preparation.

Though has called California his home since 2000, Brant’s professional engagements and personal adventures have taken him to Hong Kong, Venice, London, Bali, Rome, Amsterdam, Milan, Florence and Paris. He finds that exploring various cultures inspires intriguing new possibilities in both materials and design. As a licensed architect, Brant has supported the profession and his colleagues through participation in the AIA, the local AIASF Small Business Committee, and by coaching his peers on new strategies for BIM utilization, immersive visualization systems and social media integration. He has also promoted principles of energy-efficient design as it relates to compliance with California’s Title 24 energy code going further than LEED exploring PassivHaus methods, as well as green building programs such as Green-point Rating and the California Solar Initiative.

Brant Fetter is a registered architect in California, license number C35010

Culture and Values

Choose Clarity

For clarity of form or purpose, despite the challenge to maintain in the nature of complex our work, understandable expression has a longevity of it's own.
(Normal speak: Design pretty even if it's hard to do).

Contribute to the community

We find volunteer work to be a valuable asset for both the individual and the community that it benefits. This exposes all of us to experiences and knowledge outside the rigors of our profession and feeds our inspiration.

Avoid The Tool Dictating the Design

Whether sketching by hand, drafting on a drawing board, creating vinettes in cardboard or clay, or modelling BIM in an emmersive virtual environment, be aware of the influences and limits that each tool has so we rise above the limits.

Spend Time Doing Fun Things

Another way we inform fresh design and innovation is to devote a certain amount of our work hours to research, creative endeavors and a type of cultivated professional play that are of personal interest. This makes for a more effective team and longevity of the firm.

Make spaces we love as much as the client

Motivation towards great architecture comes from a passion that is accompanied by skill and experience. Burning passion is a critical aspect for going beyond just good performance.

Our Culture

Enjoyable and innovative spaces that are high performance, with discreet usable technology.

 

This is a collection of recommendations and testimonials by clients. These have been posted in places like LinkedIn, Yelp or other sites, and one can never be sure that they’ll stick around. I decided to preserve a few. Not only that, in places like Yelp, if you don’t use the site on a regular basis, but just want to give a shout out to a business you like, your review may be shunted to the “ignored” area just because it’s suspect. Bummer huh? Considering the business we’re in, every bit of good press is appreciated. So here are a few:

Roman Teper, Orbit Development 11/11/2010
“I worked closely with Brant Fetter and found that he represents everything you would want in an architect. He showed a level of professionalism and service that is hard to find. His depth of knowledge about high quality construction along with his agility in dealing with difficult permitting issues made the experience a pleasure. He was attentive and responsive while all of the expert work was done with efficiency and a good sense of humor.

I found a lot for sale where the owner had hired Wagstaff Architects to design a significant custom home. It was just a blank lot with a design approved by the city. I wanted a firm that had the right experience and diplomacy for getting a highly visible project through the hurdles of the permitting process. I met Brant when I hired Wagstaff Architects to produce the construction documents based on the quality of their design, the recommendations of the previous owner and the examples of their other outstanding residences. It turned out to be a very rewarding decision. I will definitely be working with and Wagstaff Architects again.”

Susan  Sweeney 9/17/2010 [Star Academy] “We selected Wagstaff Architects because of Brock Wagstaff’s reputation for designing high quality homes and commercial projects, and his ability to get them though planning approval, which is no small task. Brock and his firm represent a class of architect that encompasses the classic roles of artist, and visionary, diplomat, and leader. The architects at Wagstaff have a diverse and skilled background. We worked primarily with Brant Fetter and he was exceptional.

We needed a new school building and Brant worked tirelessly and successfully to bring our dreams to life. He is flexible and highly creative in his thinking, has a beautiful aesthetic and was very realistic and pragmatic in his approach. Thanks to Brant, our gorgeous new school  was completed on time and even under budget.   We absolutely love the result and everyone who visits our school comments on how beautiful it is – which makes us very proud.

The process we went through to bring this project to fruition was so enjoyable. Brant did an amazing job of designing a building that met the very unique needs of our program and fully understood the inter relationship between component parts, which are reflected in his design. Brant listened to our board and various constituents to create a highly functional form we all love and are so proud of now. Brant and Brock’s knowledge of code and familiarity with our city’s planning and building department helped navigate our project through this complex process.  They were also very helpful in guiding us to  the best builders in the region, which made the selection process easy and actual construction process remarkably smooth.  Brant was involved at every step of this project and it shows.  I would absolutely use Wagstaff Architects again   and look forward to the day when we have the opportunity to do so.”

 

Credit Past and Present


For the purposes of the portfolio, the 'AOR' Abbreviation represents Architect of Record, and I’m happy to say that my former mentor, Brock, appears because at his firm I was given significant autonomy and responsibility. I worked up to the role of project manager and senior designer. I have been given permission to show those projects. Though I would like to gratefully include them all, there are some drafting, and specification team members, engineering, non-staff interior designers and other consultants not shown but available on request.

Credit Legend

AOR = Architect Of Record
Des=Designer
PM=Project Manager
CA=Construction Administration Project Manager
ID=Interior Designer
TC=Team Contributor
BF=Brant Fetter
BW=Brock Wagstaff
ER=Eric Rogers
LNA=Lynn Armstrong
LA=Landscape Architect
ET=Ed Tischbern