Edmonds + Lee Architects: Crafting Modernist Narratives in San Francisco

Mid-Century Gems Official
May 3
5 min read

Updated: May 4

Edmonds + Lee Architects is a full-service architecture and interior design firm based in San Francisco’s Mission District. Led by partners Robert Edmonds and Vivian Lee, the studio merges a philosophically grounded design approach with deep practical expertise, resulting in work that is contextually responsive and experientially rich. Their projects thoughtfully engage with their surroundings while creating spaces for reflection, work, rest, and play.

For nearly two decades, Edmonds + Lee Architects has delivered innovative, award-winning design for private, commercial, and institutional clients. Their work has been widely published and honored by organizations including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA), Interior Design magazine, and more.

Edmonds + Lee Architects is a certified woman-owned and local business enterprise (LBE), proudly rooted in the Bay Area and committed to thoughtful, lasting contributions to the built environment.

Design Philosophy

Edmonds + Lee Architects approach design with a focus on spatial clarity, material honesty, and a deep understanding of the urban fabric. Their work often explores themes of duality, continuity, and the interplay between light and material, resulting in environments that are both intellectually engaging and deeply personal.

At Edmonds + Lee, architecture is more than structure—it’s an extension of identity and lifestyle. Each project is a collaboration rooted in empathy, craftsmanship, and clarity of vision. Whether designing a ground-up residence, reimagining a mid-century home, or refining interior environments, the studio is committed to producing work that is innovative, functional, and deeply responsive to the way people live. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to create homes for those who care how they live.

At Edmonds + Lee Architects, every project begins with a singular vision: yours. Whether it’s a hillside lot north of the city or a historic San Francisco townhouse ready for reinvention, the studio begins by assessing the potential of both the site and any existing structures. Through a deep and collaborative discovery process, the team works closely with clients to uncover their goals, needs, and aspirations—transforming abstract ideas into architectural possibilities.

Dream It

Architecture always begins with an idea. Whether driven by a need for more space, a shift in lifestyle, or the discovery of a new property, Edmonds + Lee Architects partners with clients from the earliest stage—evaluating context, envisioning opportunity, and encouraging bold thinking. Every project is grounded in careful listening and big-picture dreaming.

Design It

Live It

Edmonds + Lee Architects transformed this 1970s-era home in Napa Valley by embracing its original character—long horizontal lines, bold massing, and an iconoclastic spirit—while refining its architectural coherence and enhancing the spatial experience.

Notable Projects

Switchback House

Designed as a personal residence for Edmonds + Lee Architects and their family, this loft-style, flipped-plan home exemplifies the firm’s deep understanding of San Francisco’s urban context, planning codes, and architectural language. Human-scaled and materially refined, the home reflects the architects’ signature clarity and modernist aesthetic.

Freed from market-driven constraints, the team embraced creative flexibility—prioritizing quality over square footage. By inverting the traditional layout to place the main living spaces on the upper level and bedrooms below, they achieved the open, loft-like atmosphere they envisioned while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding neighborhood.

Budget-conscious solutions became opportunities for innovation. Painted steel stairs, drywall guardrails, and rhythmic facades composed of off-the-shelf trim boards offered understated yet thoughtful detailing. Closets were custom-built around IKEA shelving dimensions, and sinks were cast in molded Corian, blending function and restraint. The result is a home that feels at once efficient, expressive, and distinctly personal.

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Remember House

Set into a down-sloping hillside in San Francisco’s Noe Valley, this four-story family home by Edmonds + Lee Architects is a study in spatial fluidity and minimalist precision. Organized around a central vertical spine, the design subverts the typical stacked “pancake” format common in urban infill projects. Instead, it embraces verticality as an architectural opportunity—introducing double-height volumes and visual connectivity that transform circulation into an experiential journey.

To avoid the compact, repetitive feeling that often accompanies tall residential massing, the architects strategically opened the house in section, sacrificing some square footage in favor of dynamic, light-filled spaces. The result is a residence that feels expansive and sculptural, with a central stair that invites engagement and movement between levels.

Materiality was approached with equal intentionality. The all-white palette—anchored by wide-plank Douglas fir floors from Dinesen—establishes the home as a seamless canvas. Influenced by the clients' minimalist aesthetic and appreciation for gallery-like spaces, Edmonds + Lee designed the interiors to be quietly expressive, allowing art, furniture, and natural light to become the focal points.

From architectural layout to custom furnishings, the project is marked by continuity and craftsmanship. Sliding doors framed with oversized window mullions lend a sense of substance and history; thick fir floorboards offer a tactile counterbalance to the home’s visual restraint. The result is a tightly integrated, thoughtfully choreographed residence—where each material choice and spatial gesture contributes to a cohesive and deeply personal experience.

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Telegraph Hill Residence

Nestled on a quiet, tree-lined street in San Francisco’s historic Telegraph Hill, this four-story residence by Edmonds + Lee Architects masterfully combines modern architectural clarity with timeless elegance. The home’s reverse floor plan places primary living spaces on the top level, maximizing unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco Bay. A seamless transition to a panoramic rooftop deck transforms the upper floor into a space designed for both entertaining and reflection—offering one of the city’s most striking vantage points.

The interiors are defined by a quiet sophistication. A warm, earthy palette and natural textures anchor the design, while custom details—such as a built-in dining banquette and bespoke millwork—create a sense of intentionality and ease. Bright, open living areas give way to serene bedrooms and spa-inspired bathrooms that offer moments of retreat and calm. High-quality materials, including marble finishes and tailored furnishings, underscore a commitment to craft and precision.

Purpose-built spaces throughout the home reflect the clients’ lifestyle, with dedicated areas for creativity and personal expression. Balancing function with aesthetic restraint, the Telegraph Hill Residence is a refined, livable modern home—one that honors its iconic surroundings while quietly asserting its own architectural presence.

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Esherick Sea Cliff House

Tasked with renovating a home originally designed by renowned architect Joseph Esherick, Edmonds + Lee approached the project with reverence and innovation. They reimagined the interior layout to enhance openness and light, introducing a floating cantilevered staircase as a central organizing element. This intervention not only modernized the space but also paid homage to Esherick's design ethos, bridging historical context with contemporary living.

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