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Our Services
Substrata is a Los Angeles–based architectural design studio focused on resilient, human-centered environments. We work across ADUs, adaptive reuse, tenant improvements, and small commercial and public-facing projects, integrating emerging technologies with grounded design principles to deliver efficient, code-savvy, and community-responsive solutions. Our practice emphasizes sustainability, constructability, and clarity, supporting clients through feasibility, as-builts, permitting coordination, and design development with a collaborative, detail-driven approach suited to complex urban contexts.
Services We Offer:
ADUs
Single-Family Residential
Multi-Family Residential
Home Improvement
Home Expansion
Landscape Design
Adaptive Reuse
Tenant Improvement (TI)
Small Commercial Businesses (<500 sf)
Community Centers
Fan Engagement Hubs
Pavilion & Temporary Structures
Small Commercial Businesses
As-Builts and Documentation
Feasibility Study
All Architectural Phases:
Schematic Design
Design Development
Construction Design
Permitting & Submittals
Construction Administration
Our licensed contractors and consultants include:
California Licensed Architect
Structural Engineer
General Contractor
Landscape Designer
Interior Designer
Title 24 Engineer
Our Core Values
Innovation
Our goal is to empower clients with a sense of authorship, blending emerging tech with community-focused designs. Each design is a chance to support resilient living and push the limit of how society thrives through advanced tools, experimentation, and listening to the people.
Groundedness
We aim to create a deep connection with the land through thoughtful use of sustainable materials and construction methods, always with the mental well-being of those who inhabit our spaces in mind. To us, stewardship means honoring both people and place.
Thoughtfulness
As active members of our community, we also believe in creating spaces that reflect the diverse lifestyles that make Los Angeles unique. This city is a rich tapestry of cultures and our work is rooted in embracing that fullness, prioritizing the art of fitting many into few with enough space for a coffee nook or two.
In the end, we strive to make high-end architectural designs sustainable and attainable for all. If you're interested in working with us for a project, as client, contractor, consultant, or joint-venture, please reach out here.
CEO and Principal Designer Emily Dinnerman is an interdisciplinary designer with a penchant for immersive, community-oriented experiences. Seasoned by project‑management in Silicon Valley startups and championing community voices, she blends a human‑focused mindset with serious get‑it‑done energy. She thrives in collaborative, fast-paced environments that demand both creativity and precision.
Emily holds a Master of Architecture at SCI-Arc ('23), and shipped ideas at Woods Bagot, Tesla, and Butlr.
CTO and Principal Designer David Barbeau is fueled by a passion for the exploration in space, architecture, and human resilience. After 14 years as a Firefighter Engineer, he pursued a lifelong interest in space design at Reflect Orbital, a startup where he constantly seeks new challenges to solve as their Head of Facilities.
Dave holds a Master of Architecture at SCI-Arc ('24), and has worked at CO Architects, Perkins Eastman, and the Anchorage Fire Department.
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