Business Details
17 Years
experience
Residential Architects in Summit, NJ
At CBH Architects, we specialize in transforming residential spaces to align with the unique lifestyles of homeowners. Our mission is to unlock the hidden potential of every home through innovative design solutions tailored to individual needs. Founded in 2009 as Barnett Design Build, our firm transitioned to a residential-only architecture practice in 2013, combining decades of experience in home improvement, construction, and design. Our team includes licensed architects, interior designers, and structural engineers who collaborate to deliver projects that honor a home's history while modernizing functionality. We serve Essex, Union, and surrounding New Jersey counties, offering services ranging from zoning analysis to construction documentation.Our process prioritizes client collaboration, starting with understanding your vision and culminating in detailed plans that meet municipal requirements. With expertise in historic preservation and modern design, we bridge the gap between creative concepts and practical execution. Our partners bring diverse backgrounds, including Fortune 100 operations management and international architectural projects, ensuring a well-rounded approach to every challenge. We are committed to transparency, providing fixed fees for core services and clear communication throughout the project lifecycle. By focusing exclusively on residential architecture, we deliver specialized solutions that enhance how families live in their spaces.
Services
Residential Architecture
Home Additions
Remodels
Interior Design
Zoning Analysis
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of combined architectural and construction expertise.
- Our team includes licensed architects and structural engineers with diverse industry backgrounds.
- We provide transparent fixed-fee pricing for core design services.
- Our process emphasizes client collaboration and historic preservation knowledge.
- We deliver detailed 3D digital modeling for enhanced project visualization.
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)
What people say
Exceptional design creativity
Transparent communication
Historic preservation expertise
Timely project delivery
Customized solutions
Services
Residential Architecture
We specialize in residential architecture, creating tailored designs for home additions and renovations. Our approach combines functional needs with aesthetic goals, ensuring spaces reflect homeowners' lifestyles. Services include zoning compliance, schematic design, and construction documentation.
Home Additions
Our home addition services focus on expanding living spaces while maintaining structural integrity. We handle zoning requirements, design integration, and construction planning. Projects range from single-room additions to comprehensive structural expansions across diverse architectural styles.
Remodels
We transform existing spaces through strategic remodeling solutions. Services include kitchen and bathroom renovations, layout reconfigurations, and historic preservation updates. Our process ensures modern functionality while respecting original architectural elements in homes dating from the 1930s to present.
Interior Design
Our interior design services focus on fixture and finish selection for residential spaces. We provide 3D digital modeling for visualization, material specification, and procurement assistance. The service integrates with architectural projects to ensure cohesive design outcomes.
Zoning Analysis
We conduct comprehensive zoning analyses to determine project feasibility before design begins. This includes reviewing municipal regulations, building envelope restrictions, and permit requirements. The service ensures designs comply with local codes while maximizing development potential.
People
Mike Cuttitta
Partner/Lead Designer
Licensed architect with expertise in historic residential design and interior architecture. Graduate of NJIT's College of Architecture and Design, serving on South Orange's Historic Preservation Commission since 2018.
Bob Barnett
Founder & President
Licensed architect and former marketing director at American Express. Founded CBH Architects after renovating historic homes in New Jersey. Combines business acumen with preservation expertise.
Dusan Gajic
Senior Associate
Architect with 10+ years of international design-technology experience. Graduated from University of Belgrade and leads architectural production for CBH's projects since 2014.
Kathery Carrasco
Executive Assistant
Business administration graduate with virtual assistant experience. Provides administrative support and customer service, leveraging bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish.
Damon Johnson
Structural Engineer
NJ-licensed professional engineer with experience at Frazier Industrial Co. and Hanington Engineering. Founded DRJ Engineering Consultants in 2010 and collaborates with CBH since 2012.
Questions
What services does CBH Architects offer?
We specialize in residential architecture, including home additions, remodels, zoning analysis, interior design, and construction documentation services for single-family homes.
Do you work with historic homes?
Yes, our team has extensive experience with historic preservation, including serving on local historic commissions and renovating homes from the 1920s-1930s.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Essex and Union counties in New Jersey, with projects across surrounding areas including Summit, South Orange, and Cresskill.
How are your fees structured?
Core services use fixed fees ($1,800-$15,000 range), while construction documents are 6-15% of the GC contract price. Additional services billed hourly.
Can you help with building permits?
Yes, we prepare complete construction drawings with NJ architect seals required for municipal permit approvals as part of our standard service.
What is your design process?
Our 5-step process includes zoning analysis, existing conditions assessment, project requirements discussion, schematic design, and construction documentation with client collaboration throughout.
Reviews (2)
Michelle Solgan
Sep 20, 2020
Report
CBH Architects competed both the design and construction drawings for my finished basement. They worked with me to squeeze in a ton of functionality, utilizing as much space as possible. The footprint of my basement is relatively small, but we managed to include a laundry room, exercise room, large entertainment area with bar, full bath with steam sauna, and ample closet space and storage throughout.
A design that turned my submarine of a basement into a yacht. They collaborated well with the general contractor I chose, working together to adjust and adapt the design when obstacles arose. My family
A design that turned my submarine of a basement into a yacht. They collaborated well with the general contractor I chose, working together to adjust and adapt the design when obstacles arose. My family
Zhibo Chris Chen
May 06, 2019
Report
We hired Bob and Mike for a major renovation that included a new open kitchen, a new mudroom, addition of a new guest bathroom and laundry room upstairs and a new basement. The whole process took us about a year and half, and we couldnt have done it without Bob and Mikes help. Bob and Mike started our job with a detailed existing condition assessment and sent us drawings to discuss on all the design possibilities and options. They listened carefully about our vision of the house, and came up with thoughtful design ideas that match with our expectations. During construction, there were a couple
