Chris Dorman, the founder and principal of Dorman Associates in Mill Valley, recalls his early days as a newly minted architect.

“When I first started, I had to hunt for clients, mostly through referrals,” he said. “The idea from the beginning was simple — to be a resource for architecture in Marin County and San Francisco and build a practice where we listen to people rather than talk at them.”

Working with clients is a gift, he says, and informs the design process.

“We are taught as architects to strive for innovative design, but the best design can also be a solution,” he said. “So that’s part of our ethos, to identify the problems so that we can provide the right innovative solutions.

“Whether it’s practical and necessary or inspired and unique, every project is an opportunity to make someone’s life better through intentional design.”

His residential projects have numbered around 10 to 15 new builds and 200 remodels and renovations in Marin, the Bay Area and developments in Baja California.

The full-service architecture firm also works across hospitality, child care and commercial projects.

“On the hospitality side, we designed Flora Farms in San José del Cabo, Mexico, as well as Watershed and Piatti here in Mill Valley,” he said. “We also have pursued projects that align with our desire to leave a legacy of helping people.”

That work extends to the Low Income Investment Fund and other nonprofits in child care and the design of multiple child care centers, including the Pine Cone Children’s Center in Redwood City and the North Bay Children’s Center in Novato.

“And we’re proud of our work with Community Action Marin,” he said. “Outside of child care, we’ve been excited to work with Habitat for Humanity to create a development that offers well-designed houses while fostering community.”

Currently, his firm is taking on more Marin and Bay Area residential projects, designing a new community building for Daly City and the Westborough Preschool, and in Mexico, collaborating on a collection of vacation homes and the design of the Cachasol Tequila distillery village.

For Dorman, this anniversary milestone is an opportunity to celebrate the community of Dorman Associates, from his clients and his team to the contractors and consultants.

“Some of our people have been here almost 20 years, several others more than 10, and most have been here at least four,” he said. “I can’t express enough gratitude for the hard work and the vision that will carry Dorman Associates into the future.”

That future includes “nurturing the legacy side of our work, the child care centers and the nonprofit partnerships, and I want to keep being a resource for architecture in Marin County and San Francisco,” he said. “We’re not trying to be the biggest firm; we’re trying to be the best collaborators.”

Looking ahead, he wants the firm to continue to reflect the values it holds today: “a genuine partnership with our clients and a commitment to making architecture that’s beautiful, functional and accessible,” he said.

Dorman Associates is at 229 Flamingo Road in Mill Valley. Call 415-380-7914 or go to dormanassociates.com.

PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at pj@pjbremier.com.