About Us
Luma Dwellings (CSLB #163815) was born out of one family’s determination to stay rooted in the place they’ve always called home.
Leon grew up in Orinda, California—a quiet, tight-knit town in the Bay Area. It’s where he spent his childhood, where his aging parents have lived for over 40 years, and where his daughter was finally beginning to feel settled after years of adjusting. For Leon and his family, Orinda wasn’t just a town. It was home. And he was determined to stay.
But when he started exploring how to build a house there, reality hit hard. After interviewing more than 15 builders and being quoted anywhere from $750 to $900 per square foot, the dream felt financially out of reach.
Rather than give up, Leon did something different—he took the reins himself. He immersed in the process, learning the ins and outs of codes, permits, costs, timelines, and how to manage construction from the ground up. He took the owner-builder route and managed the entire project on a hillside lot in town. It was a bold move, but it worked. What started as a personal challenge turned into something bigger: the foundation of a company—and more importantly, a team. But not just any team. A team with pedigree.
Leon hand-selected a group of professionals who don’t just talk the talk—they’ve built the homes, laid the foundations, and earned reputations as the best in the business. His structural engineer has more than 12 years of experience and is one of the most respected in the area, with a flawless reputation and consistent 5-star reviews across platforms like Yelp. His foundation & framing contractor is widely regarded as one of the best in the Bay Area, known for impeccable work and nearly 15 years of hands-on experience specializing in challenging terrain and custom builds.
And the general contractor? He’s not just overseeing the project—he’s on site, tool belt on, building alongside his crew. With over 15 years in the construction business and a plethora of happy clients he brings unmatched depth of experience and trust to every build. Building great homes requires more than good ideas—it requires assembling and scaling a great team. That’s what Leon does best.
And that’s how Luma Dwellings began.
Today, we help homeowners across the Bay Area build custom ADUs, additions, and small homes that are beautiful, enduring, and thoughtfully designed—without the inflated price tag. We also take on full custom interior remodels, transforming kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces with the same high standards, craftsmanship, and design-forward thinking we bring to our ADU projects.
We believe in staying close to family, building smarter, and making the construction process transparent, human, and empowering.
Luma Dwellings isn’t just a business. It’s personal. And we’re here to help you feel at home, too.
Tribute to Patrick & Ian
Forever in My Heart
Some friendships shape who you are in ways words can never fully capture. For me, Patrick Collins and Ian Jenkins were those rare friends—true constants through the most defining chapters of my life.
Patrick was one of my very best friends throughout my teen years through my 30s. We grew together, laughed endlessly, and faced life’s challenges side by side. Losing him so suddenly in his mid-30s was something I never could have imagined. He left this world far too young, but his kindness, humor, and loyalty still live on in the memories of everyone who knew him. Patrick also left behind a daughter, who has grown into a wonderful human being, and a son as well. My heart goes out to them and his family always.
I first met Ian as a freshman at UCSB—we were neighbors in the same dorm. In my early 20s, we reconnected, and from then on, he became truly my best friend—the person I spoke to daily throughout my 20s and 30s. He was there through my most formidable and challenging years, sharing struggles, great memories, and countless fun times together. I can’t say enough about how much he helped me during difficult times and how much he meant to me. I don’t know where I’d be today without his friendship. Ian also left behind his partner in life, with whom he shared an incredibly close and loving relationship that so many people admired. My heart goes out to her and her family as well.
This photo of the three of us on a trip back in 2009 is how I’ll always remember them: full of life, sharing moments that seemed like they’d last forever. I never thought they’d both leave this earth at such a young age, and I’m still heartbroken trying to understand it.
Patrick and Ian, your memories will always live on. We miss you deeply and hope you’re both watching over us, still together, still spreading the kindness and joy you brought to this world.