ABOUT
Endemic Architecture is an award-winning practice operating out of Northern California. We design distinctive buildings that thoughtfully synthesize architecture, interiors, and landscape for clients who value creative collaboration and for communities seeking inspiring public anchors.We operate at the intersection of architectural expression, practical problem solving, and site-specific sensitivity. We value collaborations with homeowners, government municipalities, business owners, and institutions in our pursuit of architecture that we call almost familiar — buildings that are rooted in a common language of architecture, yet which intentionally shift the arc of familiarity in order to spur innovation, curiosity, delight, and memorable experiences.
Our deep reading of each project’s contextual, social, and environmental circumstances ensures every project is intellectually grounded, tailored to its local conditions, and designed for long-term endurance. In addition to conventional building practices, we are also experienced in fire-resistant design strategies, off-grid environmental systems, and emerging building technologies such as 3D printing full scale buildings.
TESTIMONIALS
“Endemic Architecture’s approach is creative, holistic, precise, yet flexible, responsive, and educational. Clark is the epitome of professionalism. We’ve learned so much from him about architecture, art, permitting, engineering, design and so many other aspects of new home building. He goes out of his way to ensure he understands our perspectives, while leading us to states of creativity that we alone would never have imagined!”Margaret S. (Residential Client)
“Endemic Architecture was easy to work with, responsive, and consistently provided high-quality work for both the senior center renovation design and the county administration center space utilization study. We appreciated their professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to meeting the County’s needs.”
Lars E. (Public Works Director)
“Endemic Architecture created a space with both simplistic freshness and functionality. Each component in the shop has its own purpose - front counter doubles as ample storage, service area layout makes prepping drinks with ease, wash area provides privacy with more storage space and a warm-welcoming lobby area. Thank you Clark and Endemic Architecture! Looking forward to our next business project!”
Mark C. (Hospitality Client)
SERVICES
Acting as the centerpiece of the design process, we offer comprehensive professional services tailored to guide projects from start to finish. These services include feasibility studies, conceptual design, construction drawings, material specifications, permit submissions, agency coordination, consultant alignment, project management, and construction administration.We balance our dedicated client services with a commitment to a belief that architecture’s core mission is to elevate the human experience. Thus, we view each project we undertake as an opportunity to imagine a more inspiring, emotive, and unique built world.
PROCESS
We begin each project by asking three fundamental questions:- How should the building meet the ground?
- How should the building meet the sky?
- How might the building turn a corner?
These fundamental questions serve as our core conceptual and technical framework. When explored conceptually within a new site and program, they unlock unforeseen ideas for architectural form, spatial organization, and contextual relationships. Simultaneously, when evaluated from a technical standpoint, these same questions provide a practical lens through which we analyze constructability, local building codes, budget constraints, and technical feasibility, ensuring the conceptual architectural project aligns with its technical execution.
We then guide each project through a four-stage design process:
1. Schematic Design:
Following an in-depth alignment on your resources, budget, site, and timeline we create multiple preliminary options to evaluate together.
2. Design Development:
This phase consists of producing technical drawings, specifying materials and equipment, coordinating project consultants, and securing preliminary contractor bids. On government, publicly bid, or competitively bid projets we also oversee the Bidding & Negotiations phase.
3. Construction Documents:
We finalize all architectural details, incorporate all consultant’s work for permit submissions and/or construction, compile specification sets, and actively guide your project through regulatory agencies to secure permit approvals for lawful construction.
4. Construction Administration:
Throughout construction, we act as your agent and advocate by observing on-site construction progress, verifying the fidelity of the built work against the design intent.
THE TEAM
2424 Blanding Ave. Suite 205Alameda, CA. 94501
408-462-5863
-&-
in Colorado at:
303-548-7806
Clark Thenhaus
Principal Architect
408-462-5863
(E) Clark@endemicarchitecture.com
Clark Thenhaus is the founding principal of Endemic Architecture and a licensed architect (CA. & CO.) with 20+ years of professional experience. Clark is aslo a tenured professor of architecture at the California College of the Arts and has previously taught at UC Berkeley as the 2023 Josheph Esherick Visiting Professor of Practice, the University of Michigan as an Oberdick Teaching Fellow, the University of Colorado, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and Otis College of Art & Design. He is the recipient of the 2015 Architectural League Prize and often publishes & exhibits work on the topic of architecture. He earned his Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied as the Fideli Fellow, and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Kyle Troyer
Lead Designer
(E) Kyle@endemicarchitecture.com
Kyle Troyer is a lead designer at Endemic Architecture and an adjunct instructor at RPI. Kyle earned a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design, where he was the recipient of numerous awards for design excellence including the Dales Travelling Scholarship. Kyle also holds a Bachelor of Architecture and Environmental Design degree from Kent State University.
Daisy Downs
Designer
(E) Daisy@endemicarchitecture.com
Daisy is a designer at Endemic Architecture. Daisy earned her Master of Architecture from the California College of the Arts, where she received numerous awards for design excellence, including the 2026 Thesis Prize. Daisy also holds a B.A. from Stanford University, and in addition to design, Daisy brings experience in marketing, brand development, and project management to our team.
Nicolette Zader
Office Coordinator
(E) Nicolette@endemicarchitecture.com
Nicolette assists with contracts, office coordination, & early-stage client communication.
Past Team Members
Many talented people have contributed to Endemic Architeture. We are grateful for our past experiences working with Curran Thompson, Sam Avila-Vallejo, Claire Leffler, Daniela Ibarra, Nate Wesseldyk, Maya Annotti, Rajah Bose, Sofia Anastasi, Brian McKinney, Mitchell Price, Trenton Jewett, Taylor Metcalf, Sarah Herlugson, Gina Bugiada, Nate Oppenheim, Tyler Smith, Alexandra Bernetich, Ryan Doidge, Samantha Okolita, Danielle Tellez, Adam Steinbach, Paul Mitchell & Katie Donahue.