When planning a home remodel, many homeowners ask, “Do I really need an architect?” Some may assume that hiring an architect is an unnecessary expense, while others believe they can handle the project themselves or rely solely on a contractor. However, hiring an...
Designing or renovating a home in San Francisco is a unique challenge, influenced by the city’s rich architectural heritage, varied terrain, microclimates, and strict building regulations. Whether you’re planning a new custom home or restoring a historic property, the...
San Francisco is a city unlike any other. With its iconic architecture, hilly terrain, and strict building regulations, choosing the right architect for your residential project is crucial. The right partner can transform your vision into reality while navigating the...
Looking to expand your square footage but aren’t sure how to achieve more space in your existing house? A vertical addition can be a fantastic way to do that without sacrificing your layout or requiring more property. Especially in a volatile housing market like the...
When considering a large renovation/addition project in San Francisco, cost is always a primary concern (and a big stressor). Cost creep/unknown costs are some of the things people most want to avoid. Most people have either had a bad experience, or heard horror...
Just about every San Francisco house was originally built with an unfinished ground level including a garage, and some extra storage space on the side and towards the back (often called a “basement”, but not underground per the usual definition). Some are still...
Legalizing Space We often find “Illegal”, or non-legal rooms in San Francisco homes, typically in the the ground floor. I often get asked about the implications of this, and what the process is to legalize it. I will summarize as much as I can in a Q&A format. Q:...
The fact that I have blue eyes and Scandinavian genetics probably has something to do with my glare aversion. But even the non-glare averted can benefit from good light balance in obvious, and subliminal ways. The usual approach: A grid of evenly spaced recessed cans,...