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about
Studio Lopez is a San Diego based design studio specializing in residential design, renovations, additions, ADUs, and interiors. The studio guides homeowners and small business owners through the full arc of a project: an early assessment of what's possible on the property, then design, permitting, and support through construction.

The studio's approach is grounded in clarity. Zoning, permitting, structural requirements, and budget are addressed early and explained plainly, so owners can make informed decisions at each stage. Every project is shaped around the owner's goals, whether they want to be closely involved in the design or prefer to hand off the process.

Studio Lopez is led by Gustavo Lopez Mendoza, whose background spans structural engineering, architecture, and hands-on construction. Because design and structure are integrated from the start, the studio's projects are developed to be both thoughtfully designed and practical to build.

The studio also performs interior design services including custom furniture and millwork, carrying the same attention to detail from the overall house down to the individual piece.

Gustavo is a licensed architect and professional engineer in California.

Let’s talk about your project! Book an intro meeting here.

services
FEASIBILITY STUDIES

What can you build, and is it worth it? This covers zoning, FAR, setbacks, coastal overlays, and ADU potential, so you can decide before committing to design.

EXISTING CONDITION DOCUMENTATION

Accurate as-built plans developed from original drawings, 3D scanning, and site visits. This is the foundation every renovation is built on.

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

Ground up, renovations, additions, ADUs, and whole-home reimaginings. The process is focused: a small set of clear options up front, then straight into documentation.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Layouts, materials, lighting, and finishes designed with the architecture rather than added afterward. From a single kitchen or bath to a whole-home refresh, spaces are planned around how you actually live, with selections and specifications ready for your contractor to price and build.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS & PERMITTING

Permit-ready drawing sets and hands-on coordination with the City, the County, and the California Coastal Commission. Each step and its timeline is explained in plain terms.

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Structural thinking built into the design from day one, so the ambitious moves, like open spans, roof decks, and additions, are buildable from the start.

CONSTRUCTION-PHASE SUPPORT

Answering contractor questions and reviewing work during the build, so the design built is the design you approved.

CUSTOM FURNITURE & BUILT-INS

Built-ins, millwork, and custom pieces designed with the same care as the house, informed by years of hands-on shop work.

studio

GUSTAVO LOPEZ MENDOZA
OWNER AND DESIGN PRINCIPAL
gustavo@studiolopez.com

CV

FREQUENT COLLABORATORS:

ALYA JAMES ABOUREZK
GRANT CURREY
GENE HAN
SARAH HEJAZIN
TAYLOR LOPEZ
CAROLINA MARTINEZ
BISHER TABBAA

board of advisors
LINDSEY WIKSTROM
ARCHITECT AND FOUNDING PRINCIPAL AT MATTAFORMA

JON DECK, PE SE
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER AND PRINICPAL AT DCI ENGINEERS

CHRIS BRINKER
GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND REMODELER