Design Build Services in Northeast Los Angeles & Pasadena
We are dacotah studioOur architecture-level design build services in Los Angeles and Pasadena are built for homeowners who want the entire residential design and planning process led from the very beginning through project completion.
As a designer-led studio, we engage early, guiding planning, scope, and decision-making before pricing and permits are finalized. We provide the strategic thinking, coordination, and oversight typically associated with architecture, delivered through an integrated design build process.This approach ensures complex residential projects are thoughtfully planned, fully aligned, and carried through from idea to plan to build with design leading every step.
from design to buildFor Homeowners Who Want Design to Lead
Our architecture-level design build services are designed for homeowners who want a thoughtful, design-led approach to residential projects, not a contractor-first solution.
This approach is right for you if you:
Want design to lead every decision, from early planning through construction
Are considering an architect or design firm and want the process fully integrated
Are early in the process and want guidance before scope, pricing, or permitting
Are planning a whole-home renovation, addition, or multi-phase project
Value clarity, coordination, and accountability over fragmented handoffs
Your planning and execution partners
Why choose Dacotah Studio
A Designer-Led Studio, Personally Led
Dacotah Studio is a designer-led, husband-and-wife–run design build firm serving Northeast Los Angeles and Pasadena. Clients work directly with Shawn and Christina throughout the process, not passed between layers of project managers.
With over 25 years of combined experience across design, construction, and project management, our studio brings deep practical knowledge to every project. We live and work in Northeast LA, which allows us to approach projects with local insight, responsiveness, and accountability. Our process is built around clarity, trust, and results so clients always understand what’s happening, what comes next, and why decisions are being made.
A Process Built for Clarity and Continuity
Once design is developed and permitting is underway, we don’t rush into construction. Every project moves through a dedicated onboarding phase designed to align scope, timeline, and decision-making before building begins.
Clients are guided through a centralized project platform where timelines, selections, communication, and project history are clearly organized and accessible. This creates transparency early so there are no unknowns when construction starts.
Many firms treat this level of preparation as optional or hand projects off once design is complete. Our process maintains continuity and accountability from planning through construction, keeping clients informed, involved, and supported from start to finish.
Initial Planning Conversation
We begin with a focused planning conversation to understand your goals, constraints, scope, and timeline before design decisions or construction assumptions are made.
Project Alignment & Onboarding
Once we align on the direction, we onboard your project into a centralized system that organizes communication, timelines, and decisions which creates clarity before design work begins.
2
Concept & Spatial Planning
We develop the foundational spatial framework of the home, documenting existing conditions and exploring layout, flow, and program to define what should be built.
3
Design Development
The design is refined into a comprehensive plan, resolving details, systems, and coordination requirements in preparation for permitting and construction.
4
Permitting & Agency Coordination
We manage permitting and coordinate with local agencies to ensure the project is fully approved and aligned with regulatory requirements.
5
Bidding & Cost Validation
With fully developed plans, we establish clear, data-informed cost expectations so pricing reflects the scope of work.
6
Design-Led Construction
Construction is executed under continued design leadership, to make sure decisions in the field align with the original intent and approved plans.
7
Completion & Project Closeout
We complete the project with a thorough walkthrough, documentation, and a clear transition into living in the finished space.
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Whole-Home Remodeling & Multi-Phase Residential Services
Our work is best suited for residential projects that require thoughtful planning, coordination, and design leadership across multiple phases.
Rather than treating spaces in isolation, we approach the home as a complete system. Kitchens, bathrooms, and other individual areas are designed as part of a cohesive whole which are guided by an overall plan that aligns design intent, budget, and execution.
This approach allows complex projects to move forward with clarity, continuity, and fewer compromises, reinforcing design as the driver from first concept through completion.
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Whole-home renovations and reconfigurations
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Additions and structural transformations
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Projects requiring permitting, agency coordination, and consultant integration
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Multi-phase projects planned and executed over time
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Homes where layout, flow, and long-term function matter as much as finishes
Reviews & TESTIMONIALSWhat Our Clients Say
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Eagle Rock
Los Angeles, California
This Spanish-style whole home remodel in Eagle Rock features natural materials, warm wood tones, custom cabinetry, new kitchen and bathrooms, ADU garage conversion, and all-electric systems. Dacotah Studio completed full design, permitting, and construction documentation.
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Silver Lake
Los Angeles, California
Blending creativity with structure, this full home remodel in Silver Lake included concept design, structural engineering, material sourcing, project management, and custom cabinetry. The result is a personalized space that reflects the artistic spirit of this Los Angeles neighborhood.
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West Adams
Los Angeles, California
A full remodel of this West Adams craftsman blends original charm with modern living. Featuring custom woodwork, large windows, and a spacious layout, Dacotah Studio managed city submissions, structural plans, schematic design, and design development from start to finish.
Dacotah Studio - Contact Us
We're eager to learn about your unique space or project. Send us your details and we’ll be in touch shortly!
626-209-9790
hello@dacotahstudio.com
Monday - Friday 9AM - 5PM
51 West Dayton St.
Suite 200
Pasadena CA 91105
FAQ’s
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Timelines vary depending on project scope, complexity, permitting requirements, and phasing. Whole-home and multi-phase projects typically unfold over several stages, including planning and design, permitting and approvals, and construction. Because our process emphasizes early planning, much of the timeline is defined upfront. reducing delays and surprises once construction begins. During the planning phase, we establish a realistic schedule tailored to the project rather than relying on generic timelines.
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Project costs depend on scope, size, existing conditions, and the level of transformation involved. Rather than starting with assumptions, we focus on defining the project through design first. This allows costs to be based on real decisions and documented scope, not estimates made before the project is fully understood. Our clients typically value this approach because it creates clearer expectations and more reliable budgeting over the life of the project.
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Once design is developed and scope is clearly defined, pricing becomes far more accurate. With plans resolved and coordination complete, we validate costs based on the actual work to be built rather than preliminary concepts. This sequencing, planning before pricing, helps minimize change orders and ensures that budget conversations are grounded and realistic.
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Permitting and approvals are integrated into our design-led process. We account for zoning, code requirements, and local regulations during planning and design, then coordinate documentation and submissions as the project moves forward. By addressing these requirements early, projects are better aligned with local agencies and approvals tend to proceed more smoothly than when permitting is treated as an afterthought.
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Yes. As a design build firm, we carry projects through construction with continued design leadership. Construction is executed in alignment with the approved plans and original design intent, with oversight maintained from start to finish. This continuity ensures decisions made during design are carried through during execution, rather than revisited or compromised once construction begins.
★★★★★
“Dacotah Studio is amazing! Their designs are stunning, and they really know how to bring a space to life. The team is super reliable, easy to work with, and pays attention to every detail. Highly recommend!”
Katie H