McGriff Architects sees every home as a portrait. A reflection of the lives lived within.

Since establishing our firm in 2013, we have focused on connecting with clients on a personal level. Our human-centric approach combines our capabilities with care. Your family is our muse—before we draw a single sketch, we first draw upon your personalities and stories, searching for ways to celebrate your idiosyncrasies. We seek to understand the picture of your lives as the core of the project. We listen and hold space, translating human need and desire into physical form.

We create visceral spaces rooted in history, envisioning the future. While moored in the grace and hospitality of traditional homes, our practice flourishes within the innovative spirit of the West Coast. We believe in homes that will continue as legacies, unique expressions of our clients that will last generations. As such, our signature is never a single style, but a comprehensive approach—a new American tradition grounded in contemporary life and inspired by our forward-thinking clients. Taking away as much as adding, we edit down to reveal the essence of a home. 

We value collaboration and believe in creating teams where the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts. Our tools are as much human as digital, prioritizing connection and teamwork. We imbue each brushstroke of your project with shared emotion. 

The care and attention we place on each residence is a reflection of our dedication to our clients. Each home is a relationship for a lifetime. McGriff believes your home should be a portrait of your family.

Benjamin McGriff

Owner & Principal, AIA, LEED AP

While the homes he designs range from modern to rustic, Benjamin’s respect for the principles of classical architecture motivates the pursuit of timeless scale and proportions throughout his work. A firm believer in the “design narrative” of a home, Benjamin insists that the layout of every plan, and the creation of every detail, should tell a story about the family that lives there. Whether renovation or new construction, he believes all home designs should be grounded in history while providing an effortless, elegant, and bespoke backdrop to the life lived within. Though the aesthetics of his homes vary with the site and the client, they all embody the sincerity and care that the firm brings to all of its collaborations.

Benjamin spends his free time with his wife and two young daughters. Together, they live in a converted 1930’s hunting cabin where they share meals with grandparents, cousins, siblings and friends. Their home is the jumping off place for hikes in the woods and afternoons at the beach.

Read Benjamin’s interview with Jeff King

Justin Trigg

Principal, Licensed Architect

As a designer, Justin loves details. He believes that the best details are achieved by the careful consideration of a wide range of historical precedents, specifically adjusted to address both our individual habits and our collective needs. Design details are powerful—they can solve daily problems, inspire wonder, and address larger social and environmental responsibilities.

Whether deciphering building code, interpreting an owner’s vision of home, or reading the plan of a historic house, Justin is always thinking about how to combine complex findings and his design solutions into the perfect drawings. The clarity, breadth, and legibility of those drawings—the way they communicate—determines the successful creation of meaningful spaces.

Justin joined McGriff in 2013 after years of working on large commercial projects across the globe. He received his Masters degree in architecture from Yale University and is licensed in California and New York.

When he isn’t working, he’s likely either sketching rocks after a day of fly fishing in a National Forest, or at home reading an old book in the evening after cooking dinner with his family.

Eric Pereira

San Francisco Studio Director, Licensed Architect

Growing up in New England, Eric developed a deep appreciation for the history of American architecture. With every design, he aspires to listen to, empathize with, and reflect his clients' vision for how they want to live. Eric’s work is guided by an interest in understanding how the built world affects our state of mind. He believes that design is a tool for connection—a stage for building memories and celebrating the everyday little moments. Keeping an ever-curious mind, Eric has a passion for designing details that celebrate beautiful craftsmanship and enhance the activities of daily life.

In his downtime you’re likely to find him either getting lost in new cities, hiking the varied terrain of the West, or mixing up a new cocktail.

Careers

With offices in the Bay Area and New York, McGriff Architects specializes in custom residential spaces that nourish and inspire. As a part of our team of talented professionals, candidates will have the opportunity to be involved in every phase of the design and construction process.

We trust and empower our team with the agency to make decisions that impact the work and the culture of the firm, while making sure that each team member is supported and assisted by our amazing and diverse staff of architects. The nature of the office is casual with a sense of humor, yet our work is rigorous in quality and detail. 

We are currently seeking candidates for the following positions:

We are located in the heart of the Mission District of San Francisco and in Park Slope in Brooklyn.

San Francisco
415.525.3561

New York
347.384.9089

info@mcgriffarchitects.com