MASTRIDICASA LLC
PO Box 311
Tahoe Vista California 96148
ph: +1 530-448-4280 (no texts please)
email: doug@mastridicasa.com
New residential constructions, accessory dwelling units, remodels, additions, and renovations - MASTRIDICASA can handle all of your project needs.
Serving the Lake Tahoe-Truckee area primarily, as well as Napa, Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, and most jurisdictions throughout the United States, MASTRIDICASA provides a complete array of residential and commercial design, planning, and construction document/building permit plan preparation services, as well as numerous support services such as project planning, consulting, photo-real rendering, and as-built measuring to name a few.
These services are provided for homeowners, business owners, contractors, real estate agents, and other industry professionals; we serve the entire community.
At MASTRIDICASA, we make the design process simple...
Driven by client goals
Informed by experience
Guided by icons of architecture
Short answer - No and no.
Did you know that Frank Lloyd Wright was never a licensed architect? And no, we're not comparing ourselves to FLW. Just making the point that great design skills don't originate from possessing a title.
As strange as it sounds, California and most other states do not require anyone to be a licensed architect to design and create the building permit plans for most residential and certain commercial projects. See California Business & Professions Code Sections 5537, 5538, 6737.1, and 6745 as examples in California. Most states have similar civil code sections; some have square footage limitations, some have height limitations, etc. For scopes of work that may fall outside of the limitations placed on us, MASTRIDICASA collaborates with registered design professionals to fulfill all of the requirements mandated by law.
In California, all that is required is that the person who prepares the plans signs them (Sec 5536.1) for liability purposes. Just because you're not licensed doesn't mean you don't have to own it. Unlike most "drafting services", MASTRIDICASA carries professional-grade E&O insurance, the same kind licensed architects and engineers have. It costs an unlicensed designer about 3x what a licensed design professional pays for the same coverage. We consider the expense the cost of doing business properly and ethically.
MASTRIDICASA coordinates and collaborates closely throughout the design process with a select group of local consultants - civil, structural, mechanical, and geotech engineers, energy code specialists, and, when required, expert planning professionals. Working together, the design team provides a comprehensive set of superior construction documents tailored to your jurisdiction's requirements.
After 40+ years of AEC industry experience and leadership roles in the field and the office, asking many questions and paying attention, staying up on the latest construction methods, materials, and best practices through close collaborations with the builders MASTRIDICASA works with...
"It takes a village" applies to the whole process of taking your vision from concept to final certificate of occupancy. The designing is but one small part.
Most any kind... brand new residential constructions, remodels, additions, commercial tenant improvements, design-build projects. Most any size, most any scope of work.
If you can envision it, MASTRIDICASA can design it and prepare the construction documents to get your building permit.
In the words of Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright - "Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral..."
At MASTRIDICASA, there are no insignificant projects; there are no "lesser" design projects. From the smallest remodel projects to the multi-million-dollar estate and private compound projects, it's an honor to help facilitate a client's wishes for their project, regardless of its size or scope of work.
Simple. We're not after your money, we're after your satisfaction. We don't do this for the love of money; we do this for the love of the craft.
By employing the same state-of-the-art software, hardware, and design processes as high-end architecture firms, while eliminating many of the common overhead expenses associated with maintaining a larger office and a multitude of staff, MASTRIDICASA can offer a level of service that rivals expensive design firms without the exorbitant prices.
We keep our rates reasonable - extremely reasonable. Yes, we're capitalists, just not the very best capitalists we can be. We're not cheap, but we are a bargain, especially when you compare us to the high-priced design-haus firms. As a small office, we're not top-heavy or weighed down with massive overhead; we're immediately scalable, nimble, and aren't at the mercy of the economy.
Bottom line? We'd rather keep our prices where they are and design more projects.
2025
Starting at age five, our father, a principal for a highly esteemed multi-disciplinary AEC firm, would take us for ride-alongs on the weekends to job sites. There was a round house that still stands there today - a perfect circle with a staircase along the interior wall leading to a flat roof deck. That house evoked a feeling of indescribable giddiness in us that still drives us today. After that ride-along with Dad, we spent quite a bit of our "inside" time drawing houses on graph paper. At age 12, a state-issued work permit allowed us to start drafting for our father's AEC firm. The rest is history.
After decades of working for several well-respected large multi-disciplinary AEC firms on both the East and West coasts, as well as several smaller offices, it seemed obvious that a void existed that needed to be filled. A residential design service that provided the same detail-oriented, top-tier performance for discerning clients who desired a white-glove experience, all at a price point that was palatable for the 99%.
In 2014, MASTRIDICASA Design Works was established for this very reason - to provide bespoke, cost-effective residential and commercial design services, as well as building permit plan production and a host of other support services, for all those who seek the very best value in this discipline, making stunning design accessible to anyone and everyone who seeks it - no matter their budget.
YOU DESERVE A BEAUTIFUL SPACE...
MASTRIDICASA would love to help you make that possible.
Sincerely,
Douglas A. Mastri
Owner / MASTRIDICASA
AUSTIN RIDGE RETREAT
With commanding views over the entire Truckee Valley, from Northstar to Donner Summit to Sierraville, this design-build project garnered the 2024 CATT Award for Best Commercial Project.
The owner of this impressive property in Martis Peak Estates had a clear design vision - an opulent mountain retreat to share with his family, friends, as well as the community. No expense was spared - starting with the infrastructure and all of the things hidden beneath the surface, this project demonstrates what can be achieved when a tier one team is collaborating seamlessly and without hindrance.
Driveway paving, an auxiliary/back-up generator installation, an in-ground pre-fab custom pool from MODPOOLS, a raised pergola platform, firepit/patio, outdoor kitchen/bar, sports courts and a pool barn / cabana round out the first phase of construction for this property.
AUSTIN RIDGE RETREAT
Martis Peak Estates Truckee California
NEW POOL HOUSE
IN-GROUND POOL
PERGOLA
EVENT SPACE
MASTER PLAN
DESIGN BUILD
Project Team
Designer:
MASTRIDCASA
Contractor:
CMJR Construction Inc
Structural Engineer:
Shear Force Engineering
Mechanical Engineer:
15000 Inc.
Interior Designer:
Owner
Photography:
Dave Donnelly / MASTRIDICASA
Tell the story, start at the beginning...
Every project should have:
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A backdrop context image - full screen gorgeous image (https://unsplash.com/)
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An existing site context - either a photo or GIS / Google Earth Aerial
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A proposed site layout - usually take from your site plan drawing
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Design development drawings:
floor plans concept style from Revit
perspectives
elevation exhibits in Photoshop
section exhibits in Photoshop -
Construction phase ?
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Finished pics if available
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A misc gallery
IF the images don't have good resolution, just photoshop them into groups of 2 or 3?
Twenty acres of serenity with views that soothe the soul...
The existing residence commands respect, jutting proudly from the landscape, with a footprint that mimics a phoenix as viewed from overhead. With a blank canvas between the house and the edge of the hillside, the new owner had a clear vision.
MASTRIDICASA was given inspiration photos of a favorite hangout of the owner - a popular gathering spot in Oregon. This property was to be developed into a rustic yet modern retreat for family, friends, and the local community.
Clearly a master plan of the design vision had to developed. The proposed improvements would require a monumental overhaul of the existing infrastructure to not only serve the requirements of the structures, but of the owner's needs for state of the art technology implementation for remote management of the property.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
MASTER PLAN VISION
Before ground was broken, the project team, led by the owner, embarked on a thoughtful collaboration.
Walking the property over a course of many days, each team member was given a voice, and ideas were exchanged about as to the what, where, why and how the owner's vision could be achieved.
A multi-phased approach was needed. Starting with the existing appurtenances, all known records and previous permit documents were gathered and analyzed for potential and pitfalls. Mapping the existing systems gave the design team a clear understanding of what needed to be upgraded, what needed to be abandoned and replaced, and what the potential for the property was.
Construction equipment and materials staging, clearing and grubbing, and field locations of the improvements was of primary importance. Efficiency and precision was the name of the game here.
An emergency generator system was the first item to be installed. Next, the existing dirt driveway was paved to make the delivery and circulation of construction related activities easier throughout the four seasons. Excavation for the centerpiece, an in-ground container pool by ModPools began next, as everything else would be planned around this feature.
Being a true design-build project, accurate 3D modeling was of utmost importance, as well as an adept contractor. Much of the credit, on any project, should go to the builder. Eric Scott of CMJR Construction Inc., with decades of experience and the ability to devise and communicate on-the-fly solutions, was paramount to the success of this project.
As a team, fluid collaboration was a necessity. With all of the moving parts this project possessed, daily and weekly coordination was vital to the evolution and success of the project.
MASTRIDICASA modeled every site feature in 3D to ensure the design vision stayed on track to meet the expectations of the owner. Views from every angle were scrutinized, re-imagined, and revised as necessary. The owner knew what he wanted to see, and knew it when he saw it. 3D perspectives from any vantage point he wished were developed and presented upon request. Prompt feedback and critique provided the input necessary to keep the work flowing.
Seen here is an early revision of the master plan.
MASTER PLAN VISION
BREAKING GROUND / INFRASTRUCTURE
PHASE I - IV COMPLETE
TITLE
PERGOLA
POOL BARN INTERIOR
Being a true design-build project, accurate 3D modeling was of utmost importance, as well as an adept contractor. Much of the credit, on any project, should go to the builder. Eric Scott of CMJR Construction Inc., with decades of experience and the ability to devise and communicate on-the-fly solutions, was paramount to the success of this project.
As a team, fluid collaboration was a necessity. With all of the moving parts this project possessed, daily and weekly coordination was vital to the evolution and success of the project.
MASTRIDICASA modeled every site feature in 3D to ensure the design vision stayed on track to meet the expectations of the owner. Views from every angle were scrutinized, re-imagined, and revised as necessary. The owner knew what he wanted to see, and knew it when he saw it. 3D perspectives from any vantage point he wished were developed and presented upon request. Prompt feedback and critique provided the input necessary to keep the work flowing.
Seen here is an early revision of the master plan.
PLACED IN CONTAINERS
THIS IS A SECTION GRID WITH 200 X 100PX GAPS AND 100 PX PADDINGS
THE CELLS HAVE 0 X 0PX PADDINGS
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Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.
Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.
THE PICTURE IS TRYING TO KEEP IMAGE RATIO
