All photography © Rob Martel, Rob Martel Photography
When it comes to making changes to a home, especially one with such a rich architectural history as an Eichler, every detail matters. For Roz and Ken, the project was more than just a remodeling project—it was a deep dive into preserving the beauty and spirit of the home while bringing it up to modern environmental standards.
After owning their San Francisco Bay Area Eichler for over four years, Roz and her husband, Ken, decided to make some significant changes. “We’d owned the house for four and a half years,” Roz shares. “We didn’t start thinking about remodeling it until 2022, after renting it out for a couple of years.”
The goal wasn’t just to update the home but to preserve its original charm, especially as Eichler homes have a unique style that’s beloved in the Bay Area.
They turned to AplosGroup’s Sharon Kovalsky, a Bay Area architect with more than 30 years of experience and expertise in thoughtful, respectful renovation of mid-century modern homes.
“I didn’t want to change the look of the house because it was so beautiful to begin with,” Roz says. “And Sharon managed to do accomplish the changes while enhancing that beauty. The house still looked like an Eichler when it was finished, but everything had been updated to make it more functional.”
They trusted Sharon as their architect, and as their construction supervisor, to help them navigate the restoration process. Sharon was a critical part of making sure the renovations remained true to the home’s original design while addressing the modern needs of the family.
Transforming the Space
The project focused on a range of areas inside and outside the home. A major change was the conversion of an old bathroom that included the part of a laundry room, to create a larger, more functional bathroom. A steam shower was added, modernizing the space without losing its character.
“We converted a bathroom that included part of a laundry room into a bigger bathroom, and we put in a steam shower,” Roz explains. “We also brought the home up to environmental standards and replaced all the windows with double-pane glass, and because it is an Eichler, required a lot of glass.”
The updates didn’t stop there. The owners also wanted to keep the mid-century aesthetic intact, so Sharon led the team in adding cabinetry that matched the home’s original style. This attention to detail was key to maintaining the home’s charm while incorporating necessary updates. “We added cabinetry that matched the mid-century design of the house, so the updates didn’t feel out of place,” Roz says.
However, no remodel is complete without tackling the structural elements, and this home was no different. A modern garage door was installed, which required some structural changes to the garage itself. The bedroom also required support to ensure the overall stability of the house. The owners were thrilled with how Sharon handled the design and structural work while keeping the home’s original appeal intact.
Enhancing the Exterior
Not only w
as the interior revamped, but the property’s exterior received a makeover as well. The backyard was transformed into a spa-like space, with a hot tub and endless pool. The front yard was made into a courtyard entry space and the entry given privacy. These additions helped to bring the outdoor space up to the same high standards as the interior. Throughout this phase, Sharon’s knowledge and expertise played a crucial role in ensuring the updates were consistent with the home’s mid-century roots. “We updated the property’s exterior and added several planters to make the outside as beautiful as the inside,” Ken recalls. “Sharon was fantastic at making sure everything stayed true to the original design.”
Sharon’s Role: The Heart of the Project
Although the homeowners were off-site during most of the project, Sharon was always there to oversee everything. As the architect, she took on the critical role of managing the contractors, reviewing their work, and addressing any questions or concerns that arose, including all the permitting. She also played a pivotal role in facilitating all the communication between the homeowners and the contractors, ensuring the project stayed on track and the homeowners’ needs were met.
Ken said,” Sharon was extremely accessible and attentive throughout the project. She’s very detail-oriented, and that was critical to the success of the project. We felt well-supported by her during the entire process.”
One aspect of the project that stood out was Sharon’s involvement when issues arose. For instance, when the steam shower didn’t work as expected, Sharon didn’t hesitate to step in—literally. “When the steam shower wasn’t working, Sharon stepped into the shower twice to troubleshoot the issue,” Roz recalls with a laugh. “She went above and beyond, and we were so grateful to have her there.” Sharon’s hands-on approach and attention to detail proved invaluable, and the homeowners were grateful to have her by their side during this complex restoration.
The Final Result: A Timeless Eichler Home
When it came time to reflect on the overall impact of Sharon’s work, the homeowners were full of praise. Not only did Sharon enhance and preserve the character of the Eichler home, but she also ensured the home met modern standards for comfort and functionality. The owners were especially impressed by the way Sharon’s design kept the home looking like an Eichler, even with all the updates.
For Roz, one of the most important aspects of the project was the design itself. “I could never have come up with that lovely design Sharon created,” Roz admits. “And my whole stipulation for the project was that the house’s look not change because it was so beautiful to begin with. Sharon made that happen while still incorporating everything we needed for the remodel.”
Roz is thrilled with how the house turned out, and especially with how Sharon managed to keep its original spirit alive. “The house still looks like an Eichler,” Roz says, “but now it’s more functional and up to modern standards.”
In the end, the most valuable aspect of Sharon’s work was her ability to marry modern needs with the integrity of the home’s original design. The owners had a deep appreciation for Eichler homes, and Sharon’s expertise allowed them to stay true to the Eichler’s essential character, ensuring their beloved home would continue to stand the test of time.
For more about this project, see our portfolio page.
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