James Novosel
Principal Architect & Owner

James (Jim) Novosel founded the Bay Architects in 1980 to serve East Bay clients with their residential and commercial projects.

After graduating from the School of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1971, he apprenticed at several large San Francisco firms including Escherick, Homsey, Dodge and Davis (EHDD), Hellmuth, Obata and Kasselbaum (HOK) and Hall, Goodhue, Haisley and Barker (HGHB). Planning and architectural work included multi-family, institutional and commercial buildings with an emphasis on Type V construction. Bay Area projects include space planning the Manual Wiley Courthouse in Oakland, rehabilitation of several college of Marin buildings and multi-family apartments.

Jim has been intimately involved in the Bay Architects’ work that has help create over 260 multi-family units in Berkeley alone over the past 15 years. These building projects range in size from 72 to 4 units and from 5 to 2 stories. The firm is especially proficient in the detailed construction drawings and building code understanding of Type V Construction.

Licensed Architect, State of California.

Andrea Chelotti
Architect, Project Manager

Andrea Chelotti has been with The Bay Architects since 2001 and has worked on a variety of mixed-use, historical renovation and residential projects.

Andrea has been involved in all aspects of project development, from conceptual design through construction documents and construction administration.  She has worked diligently with clients, consultants and contractors to develop designs, resolve code issues and ensure efficient and timely completion of work.  She has extensive experience guiding projects through the permitting process and has developed a close working relationship with local city staff to facilitate zoning and building department approval.  Most of her projects have required considerable community outreach efforts and public hearings.

Her recent completed design work involved the restoration of the Good Shepherd Church in west Berkeley, a historic City landmark. A fire destroyed the Sacristy and severely damaged the Sanctuary. The redesigned Sacristy work involved careful coordination of building and accessibility code upgrades with extensive community outreach to achieve a design sensitive to both the site and concerns of the neighborhood.  At the project’s Landmark Preservation Commission public hearing, the project received overwhelming community and LPC support. The project recently received the prestigious California Preservation Foundation award for outstanding rehabilitation, one of only 16 awards given in the State.  

Andrea graduated with honors from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Construction Management.

Licensed Architect, State of California.