studio c
San Francisco architecture led by building science, Passive House, and direct architect-of-record accountability.
What they're known for
A small Bay Area practice that sets envelope, mechanical, and energy targets before aesthetic decisions harden the project around weaker assumptions.
studio c is a San Francisco architecture practice led by Benson Chen, working on custom homes, ADUs, commercial interiors, and Passive House projects across the Bay Area. Chen holds both PHIUS CPHC and Passive House Institute CPHD credentials, and the firm develops envelope strategy and energy modeling during schematic design rather than deferring performance work to construction documents. Its services also include deep-energy retrofits, prefabrication planning, code and accessibility consulting, and wildfire-defense planning.
Capabilities
- Architectural Design
- Building-Science Consulting
- Deep-Energy Retrofit
Performance focus
- Passive House
- Thermal Comfort
- Indoor Air
- Low-Carbon Construction
Credentials
Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)
Benson Chen holds the PHIUS CPHC credential.
Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD)
Benson Chen holds the Passive House Institute CPHD credential.
LEED AP BD+C
Benson Chen is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design + Construction.
Is this your company?
Claim this profile to verify the facts and tell the story your way. Free.
More firms
4EA Building Science
Building-enclosure engineering, Passive House consulting, field testing, and facade design across North America.
Acoustic Frontiers
Residential acoustic design and calibration for theaters, studios, and critical-listening rooms.
Acoustic Innovations
Residential theaters designed, fabricated, and installed as complete acoustic rooms.
Architectural Resource
Ann Arbor residential architecture studio combining Passive House design, historic renovation, and aging-in-place planning.
Sources
Facts verified September 2026. Compound is an independent editorial directory and is not affiliated with this company unless stated.