When Wendy set out to build an addition on her property in San Rafael, she knew it would take the right architect to turn her vision into reality. She found that partner in AplosGroup’s Sharon Kovalsky — and the result is a space that feels both beautiful and ideally suited to her family’s needs.
“I think Sharon really got what we wanted,” Wendy says. “She made such good use of the space, and she was on top of the project the whole time.”
Finding Opportunities within Regulations
From the start, Sharon’s deep knowledge of local regulations paid off. Reviewing Wendy’s property survey, she discovered that Wendy technically owned a common easement pathway maintained by her HOA. That extra room made it possible to design a larger bedroom addition without crowding the yard, while also creating a private patio.
“I was really impressed that she found this … it gave us extra room without taking over the yard, and we ended up with a space that’s part private, part shared — it works beautifully,” Wendy says.
Mastering the Approval Process
The project required approvals from both the HOA and the County of Marin. Sharon’s meticulous presentation to the HOA, complete with detailed renderings showing minimal visual impact, won fast approval. One committee member called it “the most thorough application I have ever seen.”
The county permitting process was far more challenging. Knowing that large projects over 3,000 sq. ft. could face year-long delays, Sharon recommended pursuing the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) route, which was supposed to be fast-tracked through new state legislation. Even so, county staff weren’t sure how to process ADUs under the new rules, and when the county stalled, Sharon personally advocated to get things moving.
Wendy recalls with a smile: “She told them, ‘I have these elderly clients, and if they can’t get started, they’ll have to live in a cottage in northern Wisconsin for the winter.’ The next day, the county passed that section of the permit.”
Solving Problems Without Losing Momentum
Once construction began, there were surprises — joists running the wrong way, unexpected installation issues — but Sharon worked closely with the builder, Greg Nelson, to address each one.
Wendy remembers one incident with the stone fabricators that involved their removal of a vanity that Wendy wanted to keep, “They were starting to take the vanity piece away from the house. Sharon made them bring it back. She said, ‘This is a problem that’s going to get fixed.’ And it was.”
Her involvement extended beyond troubleshooting. Sharon connected Wendy to unique stone suppliers, helped narrow down tile and lighting selections, and kept the project moving at every stage.
“I didn’t have to call her and say, ‘What’s going on?’ She was on it,” Wendy says.
Design That Lives Large
Despite height restrictions, Sharon’s design for the great room feels airy and expansive. “She managed to pitch the roof, so it just skirted the master bedroom windows upstairs,” Wendy explains.
She designed for the installation of high, oversized windows that flood the space with light, while a private courtyard creates a natural extension of the indoors.
Some planned features were dropped, like small kitchen windows meant for cross-breezes, but Wendy doesn’t miss them. “There’s enough cross breeze without them. And the space feels exactly right.”
“She listens to what you need and want, even if you don’t know how to explain it,” Wendy says. “She figures it out.”
Sharon even came to measure furniture that Wendy wanted to use in the new space, to ensure everything would fit exactly as planned, and it did.
A Home That Fits the Whole Family
The completed ADU not only provides Wendy and her husband with a beautiful, functional new space, it also allows their daughter, three grandsons, and two dogs to live comfortably in the main house, with access to Marin’s excellent public schools.
“I had faith that Sharon and Greg would fix anything without interfering with the basic feel of what I wanted,” Wendy says. “And they did.”
Wendy now enjoys a home that reflects her vision in every detail, thanks to an architect who combined creativity, technical skill, and unwavering advocacy.
If you are considering how an ADU or a simple remodel can add to your story, contact AplosGroup today.