Craftsman Week at the Blacker House

Pasadena Heritage’s Craftsman Week includes special tours and an evening reception at the Blacker House on Saturday, October 17, 2026. These events offer an opportunity to explore the architecture, craftsmanship, and restoration of one of Greene & Greene’s most significant residential projects.

PECK Architecture Structural Civil’s work at the property involved extensive architectural design, structural engineering, and civil engineering to transform an existing guest house into the pool cabana, along with design of the workers’ shed and landscape consultation; all requiring careful coordination within this significant historic setting.

We’re pleased to see the Blacker House featured in this year’s program, highlighting the ongoing care and craftsmanship that support Pasadena’s architectural heritage.

Blacker House Cabana

Hillside Development: Turning Constraints into Opportunities

PECK has extensive experience with hillside developments throughout Southern California. Our architectural, structural engineering, and civil engineering teams work together to evaluate site constraints, identify potential issues early, and develop practical solutions for complex projects.

From initial feasibility studies through construction, we help clients navigate the technical and regulatory requirements associated with hillside development while creating designs that respond to the unique conditions of each property.

In the Los Angeles Times: Keita Design Turns Fallen Trees into Collectible Furniture

Chris Peck and his Los Angeles–based studio, Keita Design, were recently featured in the Los Angeles Times for their work transforming fallen urban trees into handcrafted furnishings.

What began as a practical business idea, salvaging wood from storm-felled trees, has evolved into something more personal: an exploration of craft, material, and the transformation of loss into lasting form. The studio’s work highlights natural grain, movement, and irregularities, creating one-of-a-kind pieces rooted in place.

Balancing sustainability with a refined, midcentury-informed sensibility, Keita Design produces limited works that function as both furniture and collectible objects. Read the full article in the Los Angeles Times and explore available pieces at Keita Design.

Photo by Dunja Dumanski

The Shippee Estate in Ojai Featured in Robb Report

Photo by Fiore Landscape Design

We’re proud to share that the Shippee Estate in Ojai Valley was recently featured in Robb Report, a leading publication celebrating the finest in design and craftsmanship.

Conceived as a series of detached pavilions arranged around a large central courtyard, the modern farmhouse aesthetic, designed by Ashworth Design Office, pays homage to Ojai’s agricultural heritage.

PECK’s scope included extensive Structural and Civil work, from site grading and drainage systems to the engineering of exposed cast-in-place concrete fireplace volumes, each supported on large spread footings. Due to challenging geologic conditions, including massive boulders and cobbles washed down from the surrounding mountains, the site required full removal, backfill, and recompaction to achieve uniform support.

We’re honored to see this exceptional project recognized in Robb Report and proud to have helped bring such an ambitious architectural vision to life.

The Shippee Estate is currently being offered for sale. View the full feature and gallery on the listing site here.

LA Fire Rebuild Update

PECK is proud to be making progress in the fire rebuild zones, actively supporting homeowners as projects move through plan check and permitting.

• We’re coordinating with Smith Emery Company to review existing retaining walls and foundations, connecting owners with trusted resources.

• In Altadena, we’re moving forward with several exciting projects, permits are just around the corner, and Chris is now self-certified by LA County to help streamline approvals.

• On Chaney Trail, we’re gearing up for a complicated hillside project that will emphasize fire-resistant construction, sustainability, and environmental design.

Most importantly, we’ve partnered with a wonderful group of clients who share our vision for building stronger, safer, and more resilient homes. It’s meaningful work, and we’re having a great time doing it.

Expanding Expertise: PECK team member, Justin Bernhoft, Earns PE Licenses in MA, IN, and TN!

We are thrilled to announce that Justin is now a Licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Massachusetts, Indiana, and Tennessee, in addition to holding his original certification in California. This milestone showcases Justin's commitment to excellence, expertise, and his ability to deliver engineering solutions across multiple regions. His expanded qualifications now allow us to better serve clients nationwide. Read more about his qualifications here.

Justin Bernhoft, PE
Senior Project Engineer

Old Manton Corner Store

PECK Structural is renovating an old corner store and trading post in Northern California. The structure, built in the early 1900s, has a sheet metal roof and is made of 1.5 inch thick planks harvested from nearby Shingletown, which has a history of logging large timber to supply miners during the Gold Rush era.

An historic renovation re-use project, the structure will be enhanced including redoing the roof and porch and adding a cafe. The owners are dedicated to preserving the community landmark. The area has developing vineyards, apple orchards and nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park.

The corner store will be getting a seismic retrofit, a foundation upgrade and a shear wall upgrade. PECK Structural is performing the engineering here in Pasadena while working with a local team of draftspersons and permitters in Manton.

June 9, 2025

Now, seven months after opening, the revitalized space is serving as a welcoming gathering spot for the Manton community. A newly added café made up of a team of local women, creates a warm, hometown vibe that reflects the spirit of the region.

The venue is evolving into a true local hub. In addition to securing a beer license at launch, the team has recently expanded to include wine—made possible by the development of a full food menu. The business is also launching its Sweet Summer Music series, kicking off with Bay Area performer Hattie Craven, whose music first caught the owner’s ear on NPR.

As the owner put it:

“We’re stoked with the space—it keeps growing in personality. The community is starting to shape it into the local watering hole. Thank you for helping make this possible.”

We’re honored to have supported this project and to see it flourish as both a business and a cultural anchor in the Manton area.