About Our Foundation

Workbench is a concept to completion building studio in Santa Cruz, CA. We manage every detail of your building project: feasibility studies, property development, architectural design, general contracting, and construction management. From multi-family housing to single family homes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), mixed-use community spaces, and commercial tenant improvements, Workbench works better.

We don’t just build here. We live here.

We are proud to call Santa Cruz home, and love being part of a community that embraces the unexpected, has a deep respect for the natural environment, and works toward social good together.

Ahead of us lies an opportunity to think creatively about building a better future for our city: to envision the place we want to grow old in and re-imagine the kind of community we want to foster. At Workbench, we want to see a Santa Cruz where all of us, regardless of socio-economic status, can afford to make a home.

Initial steps we can take: shaping our neighborhoods to be friendly and pedestrian-friendly; building spaces for gathering together; providing market-rate and affordable housing for our community; and working in collaboration with our fellow citizens to build responsibly, creating shared experiences for all.

With smart, creative solutions, we can build the Santa Cruz of the future while preserving and protecting treasured beaches, peaceful mountains, and our small-city feel. Our community of adventure seekers, entrepreneurs, surfers, students, hippies and artists is alive and well. Together, we can build a better future.

Our Guiding Values

Community

As community stewards, our first step is to analyze context, determining how we can use our work to provide value and connection points for neighbors and individuals.

Quality

Thoughtfully designed and well-constructed from quality materials, our buildings provide beauty and retain value over the long-term.

Efficiency

We’ve invested our years of experience in devising a streamlined workflow, allowing us to optimize for efficiency throughout the design-build process.

Integrity

Openness and honesty builds mutual trust. In our actions, relationships, and decisions, we believe nothing is more important.

Connection

We believe in the power of great design to create new experiences, build personal interactions, celebrate nature’s beauty, and bring together communities.

Respect

Respect for our clients, our neighbors, our team. Respect for the materials, techniques, and skills of the trade. Respect for our community, our environment, our home.

We’re here to work.

Architects, project managers, and contractors, together we are believers in the potential of great design, great buildings, and great spaces to bring together our community.