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
Why Fencing Matters More Than You Think We’ve experienced more than our share of wildfires in Northern California. According to the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association’s Marin Fire History Project, wildfires have played a significant role in Marin County almost since its inception in 1850. The first major wildfire raged in 1852. The biggest concern
This post first ran in 2017. What Are VOCs? VOCs – volatile organic compounds – are carbon-containing chemical compounds that vaporize easily at ordinary temperatures and are released into the air. VOCs are all around us. They can occur naturally – they give certain evergreens that “piney” smell – or in man-made products like paint.
A Cultural Icon in Flux Do you remember teenagers roaming the food courts in your local mall? Or the family outings to the shopping mall on the weekend? These activities, once frequent features of suburban life, have shifted quite visibly. In the last few decades, the mall has faced significant disruption. As online shopping surges
(This post originally ran in 2016.) Solar shading is a system of controlling the effects of the sun’s heat and light for your home or office. It allows you to make the most of natural light, heat, and shade for a more comfortable, eco-friendly environment. Benefits A well-designed solar shading system helps you regulate the
You may have waited years to tackle an extensive home remodeling project. If you’ve decided now is the time, you may be feeling excited and cost-conscious. Every choice you make comes with a price tag and a trade-off. As an architect, I often work with clients who ask: “Where should we spend to get the
Julia Morgan, the first woman to be licensed as an architect in California, was a pioneer of the Arts and Crafts movement and a master of many styles, bringing them into much of her work and creating an elegant but down-to-earth architecture that was distinctly Calilfornia’s. Early Life & Education Julia Morgan was born
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you may be familiar with Eichler homes and their close cousins, Alliance homes. Of the 10,600 homes Eichler designed, approximately 10,000 are in the Bay Area. Marin County warmly embraced the architect’s designs, buying and maintaining more than 1,700 homes in San Rafael, Mill Valley,
Climate change, energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint are driving aspects of home design. Solar panels are an option that many homeowners are considering. You might be surprised to learn that a French physicist began making discoveries about solar energy around 1839. The first patents for solar-powered engines were filed in the 1860's. By
Here’s What Your Home Needs to Welcome Your New Vehicle. So, you’re planning to make the leap into electric vehicle (EV) ownership. Congratulations! Whether it’s the quiet ride, zero tailpipe emissions or freedom from fossil-fuel dependency, owning an EV is a major step toward a cleaner, smarter future. But before you settle into the smooth
