Working with AplosGroup
At AplosGroup, we put the client at the center of all our work. We ask our clients for feedback after completing a project to find out what worked well and what could have gone better, to help us constantly improve our process.
Some of our clients have graciously permitted us to share their experiences working with us.
Brian — Garage-to-ADU Conversion & Bedroom Addition
Lightly edited for length and clarity.
Is this your first experience working with an architect?
Yes, this was my first experience building anything.
Can you tell me a little about the project that Sharon designed for you?
We decided to move to a home in Terra Linda in San Rafael, so we knew going into the home purchase that it was not exactly what we were looking for. We are a family of three children and two adults, and the home is a 3/2 [three-bedroom, 2 bath], and we were looking for a 4/2 at least. We decided we would get the 3/2 and get to work making our own additions, specifically the conversion of the garage to a junior accessory dwelling unit and the addition of another bedroom.
Beyond the design itself what role did she play in the process?
Sharon was fantastic. She was a really great advocate from start to finish for the project. When we moved in, we identified her as someone in the neighborhood who knew the neighborhood. I specifically recall, when we set out to initiate the permitting and permission to do a project, the immediate answer from the City of San Rafael was, ‘No that would violate our rules,’ We’d already closed on the house and were being told we couldn’t do our project.
We felt dispirited, kind of crushed, but we had already introduced ourselves to Sharon and let her know what we were thinking, and she basically figured out the exact wording of the state laws that superseded the city, so she got us going, where we thought we were hitting a dead end. I knew that we wanted to hire her to work with us because she understands how to work within the rules to help her clients get what they want.
My wife and I are both essential workers in healthcare, and we’re just super busy, so it is easy for us to have things fall by the wayside. Sharon was a huge help in keeping things moving along. For example, on the electrical permitting, she was in touch with the contractor and made sure that they did what was needed. When the contractor mistakenly added an extra charge for installing a side gate, Sharon was very quick to point out that was part of the original drawing we’d already paid for, and so again she advocated for us.
What is the most important thing you’d like to share about Sharon’s work?
She is very detail oriented. We are more broad strokes, so it was nice to have somebody who had their focus on every little thing, all the way to colors and cabinetry and finishing. She’s also a very nice person, and she’s very communicative and on it when we have questions.
TW — Garage-to-ADU
Lightly edited for length and clarity.
Is this your first experience working with an architect?
Yes, this is the first time I have hired an architect for a project.
Can you tell me a little about the project she designed for you?
The project is the conversion and renovation of the lower garage and storage level of my home to turn it into a place where family could stay for short visits or live for a long time. The goals of the renovation were to capture the outside light as much as possible, to add a bedroom, full bath, living space, and kitchenette. This required the relocation of the washer and dryer area and relocation of the heating and water systems. Of course, everything was designed within a certain target budget.
Beyond the design itself, what role did she play in the process?
Sharon provided full service starting when the renovation was just imaginary to conception, through design, complete construction documents for issuance to the City of San Francisco, and through construction. She was able to navigate what can be a daunting process for submitting, procuring, and getting sign-off on the building permits. Sharon recommended an excellent general contractor and acted as a problem solver and advocate when issues and constructability and cost issues came up.
Did anything about the process surprise you?
I am used to identifying and solving issues on my own. Instead, Sharon was proactive and skilled at communicating with the general contractor about how to build and work around unforeseen existing conditions and challenges. How wonderful it was to have a professional jump in, be proactive and act on my behalf.
What is the most important thing you’d like to share about Sharon’s work?
We worked collaboratively and allowed each other to bring ideas and suggestions forward. There was mutual respect between client and Architect. Sharon was open to my ideas in design and in how things got built. She was unfazed when issues arose and focused on how to keep moving forward. It was a pleasure to work with Sharon in every way.
Diana — Bathroom Remodel
Lightly edited for length and clarity.
Is this your first experience working with an architect?
We haven’t done anything before to our house that required architects, so it was all new to us.
We hadn’t quite intended to do the bathroom. We just wanted to do some mold remediation but as these things do, it snowballed. When we decided to redo the whole bathroom, we hired Sharon. We didn’t do any major footprint changes, but we changed the shower and the vanity. We also added some tile and redid the floor and put a door in that didn’t exist before. We talked about what we wanted, and she walked us through the options and came up with a plan that we liked. I am not at all a designer. I have no eye for design.
Beyond the design itself, what role did she play in the process?
She worked closely with the contractor and oversaw a number of things like codes. Then COVID happened so things got slowed down considerably which was nobody’s fault. However, when it’s your only bathroom, well, shoot. One thing, Sharon caught a pretty major mistake the contractor had made, and she made sure they corrected it, which they did, and it all came out beautifully and we’re very happy.
Did anything about the process surprise you?
When you go into a project you have no idea of just the number of decisions you’ll be faced with. Sharon was very helpful with that. She kind of laid it all out saying, ‘This is what we’re going to need to decide on and this would be the timeline to do that in and here’s what comes next.’
What is the most important thing you’d like to share about Sharon’s work?
In the beginning, we had no idea where to start or what the options were, and Sharon was really good at saying. ‘Here’s the menu of options and we can narrow it down together.” She was great at helping us narrow our vision down and translate that into a workable design.