Architecture and Interior Design: Kaplan Architects
General Contractor: Sierra West Builders, Inc.
Structural Engineer: Hohbach-Lewin, Inc.
Lighting Design: Luminae Souter Associates
Landscape Architect: Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
Photographers: Mark Trousdale and Ali Atri Photography
About Studio
Kaplan Architects, established in 1985, is a San Francisco and East Bay-based Bay Area residential architects service firm engaged in projects throughout the Bay Area and beyond. At Kaplan Architects we believe in pursuing design excellence. We do this through thoughtful iteration of ideas, challenging our own preconceptions, and rethinking the solutions we develop.
We strive for the results of our work to be functional, timeless, and beautiful. We create spaces with our client’s needs and desires foremost in mind, and we strive to create spaces that are warm and inviting. Kaplan Architects specializes in mostly custom, high-end residential, and small commercial projects in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area.
We have a strong capability in both the design and the technical aspects of the work. We design new homes, additions, and remodels. We can provide services to guide you through the entire design and building process.
We will develop a thoughtful and well-considered design, take you through any required planning department reviews, develop the technical details and permit drawings needed for construction and permits, procure the building permit, assist you with finding a good contractor, and work in concert with the contractor to make sure your project is executed as planned during construction.
We are your guide and advocate throughout the entire process. We can tailor our services to your specific needs and believe we are an exceptional value to our clients. Kaplan Architects has developed a reputation among its clients, other architects, and builders as a firm having unsurpassed quality and unequaled integrity.
It is our goal to always meet and enhance our reputation. The goal of Kaplan Architects is to leave every client completely satisfied with the services it has to offer. Mr. Kaplan believes that the interaction between client and architect can produce buildings that withstand the changes in fashion and time.
A complete design considers both the interior and exterior of the building as a totally integrated effort. Projects emerge from the client’s needs and desires while responding to the cues of the site, sun, and climate.
This new 4,200 SF custom-designed, modern residence is located on a wooded lot on the San Francisco Peninsula. The client originally approached us to remodel her existing house. The existing structure was in very poor condition and structurally failing in a number of locations. The house was deemed unsafe and it could not be altered cost-effectively. It was decided to deconstruct the existing house and build a new home. The usable extracted materials were donated to nonprofit housing agencies to be used for other projects.
The owner wanted the new house design to have the capability to host large gatherings. She is a serious cook, and she wanted to be able to cook both indoors and outside. She wanted to make sure there were edible plantings incorporated into the landscape design as she wanted to grow some of her own food. The original house, although in very poor condition, was private, and it was well positioned to capture the views of the valley and bay and the surrounding wooded landscape. The client wanted these features to be carried through in the new house.
For the new house design, we set the main living area at the same elevation as the former residence to capture the view of the valley and bay. The new kitchen was designed to be opened to the main living areas so that the activity of cooking could be integrated into the social activity. An outdoor kitchen was created to support outdoor activities. The secondary bedrooms and family room were tucked under the main level to maintain a low profile and stay within the required height limit. We slid the lower floor forward to create a deck at the main level above. The main level has a very large outside deck area on both the east and west sides of the house. These serve as large outdoor rooms ideal for entertaining.
Exterior cedar wood siding was used on the new house to blend in with the natural environment. As is the case with most of our projects posted on our website, we selected the interior finishes as well. On the project, we were striking a balance between a clean contemporary approach to the architecture of the house and a warm livable space. Large areas of decks and terraces flow easily between indoors and outdoors. Both indoor and outdoor kitchens were provided.
All of the water from the roof areas and subdrainage is collected in a stormwater collection basin on the north side of the property. During a rain storm, the water is routed into the basin and, as it fills up, it spills out into a dry creek created to channel the water into a storm drainage retention pond at the lowest portion of the property. The water then can percolate into the ground gradually as opposed to overwhelming the city’s storm drain system. This approach to water management allows for it to be diverted from the treatment plant.
The new home has achieved a Greenpoint rating of 82.
