This post previously ran in 2017. Earthquakes are a fact of life in the Bay Area. The same geologic features that create our dramatic mountains-meet-ocean vistas mean we have to live with a little bit – or sometimes a lot – of shaking. California’s building codes are continually updated based on emerging research and lessons
Change in any industry can feel sluggish when you have a great idea you want to see catch on. That is certainly true for proponents of structural insulated panels or SIPs for short. In the 1930s, Frank Lloyd Wright experimented with an early prototype that lacked insulation, in his search for materials that were functional,
This post first ran in 2016. Most people who pay attention to contemporary American architecture have heard of Eichler homes. Developer Joseph Eichler’s dream of bringing beautiful, affordable modern design to the masses was spurred by his admiration of Frank Lloyd-Wright’s soaring architectural designs, and the homes he built throughout California beginning in the late
Some people think that concrete floors are more likely to evoke industrial spaces, rather than homes. In fact, according to the International Association of Home Inspectors in their history of concrete, the first homes to use concrete were in Yugoslavia in 5600 BC. Home-building and construction techniques have changed a lot since then, but concrete is still
A version of this post first ran in 2018. ADUs are growing in popularity in California, and with good reason. ADUs – accessory dwelling units (also known as “granny units”) – are small living spaces that are on the same property but are separate from the main living space. They can be attached to the
If you are house hunting in today’s market, you won’t be surprised to know there is a housing shortage. You might be tempted to think it’s a side-effect of the pandemic. In fact, this shortage is due in large part to the lack of new housing units being built. This situation is making many homeowners
That headline won’t surprise many homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially in Marin. During the pandemic our perspectives shifted radically on what a home should offer. Four bedrooms, three baths and a family room suddenly felt cramped. Where could the home office go? Um, make that two home offices, a classroom for the
A version of this post first ran in 2016. A few years ago, I asked Marin/Sonoma Realtor Elizabeth Meyers for advice about what to think about when buying or selling mid-century modern homes. The advice she gave still holds true. Special Considerations for Mid-Century Modern Homes While much of the advice on buying and selling
Most clients come into a design project with little idea of how the design process works. But armed with a basic understanding of what to expect, you may find it easier to plan and make decisions as your project takes shape. Of course, every architect works a little differently, but the overall design process tends
This post first ran in 2018. If you have a beautiful garden, outdoor living space or a great view, one of the best upgrades you can make to your home is to add a retractable glass wall. Adding a retractable glass wall can make the indoor/outdoor living so many of us in the Bay Area
