Questions We're frequently Asked Before We Start

Before any project begins, most conversations follow a similar shape. Here are the questions that come up most, grouped by what people are usually trying to understand.

Process & Working With Us

What does the design process look like from first meeting to groundbreaking? 

Every project starts with a preliminary meeting where we look into what's actually possible to build on the site given code and zoning. From there, the conversation turns to the client — the style they're drawn to, reference images, how the family lives day to day, and any particular requests or studies the project needs. Once that groundwork is set, we move through concept design, design development, and construction documents, with drawings and models refined at each stage before anything is submitted for permit.

Typically, Daniel works through early ideas by hand before they're built out digitally, and that hand-drawn logic tends to carry through the whole project.

How long does it take to design and build a custom home in Los Angeles? 

Timelines vary with site conditions and scope, but a custom home typically moves through design over several months, followed by plan check, permitting, and construction. How quickly a client makes decisions and how many changes come up along the way affect the schedule as much as anything technical does — the more settled a client is on direction early, the more predictably the rest moves. Hillside lots, coastal setbacks, and post-fire rebuilds each add their own review steps, which we factor into scheduling from the start rather than treating as surprises later.

Do you handle both architecture and interior design? 

Yes. We take projects from the shape of the building through to the materials, fixtures, and finishes inside it. Keeping architecture and interiors under one roof means the two are considered together from the start, rather than one following the other as an afterthought.

Do you work on additions and renovations, or only new builds? 

Both. Our current work includes ground-up residences alongside additions and renovations to existing homes. Renovation work is about preserving the history of a home while updating it to reflect the vision of the family living there now — tailoring the space to their needs rather than erasing what came before.

How do I start a project with Bureau Namas? 

We're always open to an initial conversation about the project's expectations, budget, timeline, and history. We ask about the site, the scope, and what's driving the project, then we meet to discuss everything further to see if this is a good fit. Reach out through info@bureaunamas.com.

What size projects do you typically take on? 

We work almost exclusively on residential projects — single-family homes, additions, and renovations — and we structure our projects so Daniel and the team stay closely involved in every one, from early sketches through construction redlines. We've also worked on retail projects, and we're always open to more commercial and hospitality work, along with other collaborations and opportunities — it's always best to reach out directly through info@bureaunamas.com to talk through a specific project.

Los Angeles & California

Does Bureau Namas design homes in Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills? 

Yes — these are among the neighborhoods where we do the most work, alongside other parts of Southern and Northern California.

Do you work with clients outside Los Angeles, elsewhere in California? 

Yes, we do work with clients outside of the Los Angeles area. We're based in Santa Monica, and most of our work is concentrated in neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, and Bel Air, but we're always open to working outside the city. We've been happy to take on projects further afield too, including in Napa and Northern California, as well as Florida.

What should I know about building on a hillside lot in Los Angeles? 

Hillside sites in LA come with their own layer of review — grading, geotechnical requirements, and setback rules that flat lots don't face. We design with those constraints in mind from the earliest concept sketches, rather than resolving them later, since a hillside home's foundation and site work often shape the design as much as the architecture does.

What permits are required for residential construction in Santa Monica? 

Santa Monica requires plan review through its Building and Safety division, and depending on the project, additional review from Planning, Coastal, or historic preservation bodies. We manage this coordination as part of our process so clients aren't navigating it directly.

Can you rebuild a home after wildfire damage, and what's different about that process? 

Absolutely. This has been important to us — giving back to the Pacific Palisades community we're honored to be part of.

We currently work on a number of fire rebuild projects, and post-fire rebuilds in California move through an accelerated but still rigorous permitting track. Our goal is to think about what this new home will embody, which memories of the lost home it will bring back, and what can be improved. We also try to raise questions about materiality and resilience that don't come up in typical new construction.

Does Bureau Namas design ADUs in Los Angeles? 

Yes, we design ADUs as part of our residential work, both as standalone projects and as part of larger property plans.

Design Approach

What architectural styles does Bureau Namas specialize in? 

Our goal is not to limit ourselves to only one style, as we believe there's so much nuance in architecture that excites us. Each project we take on is shaped by its site and client rather than a fixed formula.

How is a boutique architecture firm different from a larger firm for a residential project? 

At a boutique firm, the same small group of people — in our case, Daniel and a team of four — stays involved from first sketch to final punch list. There's no handoff between a "design team" and a "production team." That continuity tends to matter most on residential work, where the details are personal, and we can be present in construction administration to help with overseeing the construction process too.

Who leads design at Bureau Namas? 

Daniel Shurinov is the founding principal and leads design, floor plans, and overall vision for each project before they're developed further by the team in BIM and taken to plan check.

Have a question that isn't here? Reach out to us at info@bureaunamas.com — we're happy to talk through a project before it's ready for a formal proposal.