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Pro Spotlight: What to Know Before a Rebuild or Remodel
A San Francisco architect shares how to get a home (new or old) with a cohesive design and personal flair
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Who: Mark English
Where: San Francisco
In his own words: “Often, the best idea when it comes to remodeling is to retain existing character in one part of the home and modernize elsewhere.”
Redesigning your home is an exciting prospect — you just need to decide whether remodeling or rebuilding better suits your wishes and your budget. In some cases, demolition permits aren’t readily available; in others, rebuilding is cheaper due to the site or substandard construction.
When an alteration or an addition does make sense, think about how homogeneous your house can and should be, says Mark English, the principal of Mark English Architects in North Beach. He works with clients throughout the Bay Area to rebuild or remodel the home they have into the one they want.
Where: San Francisco
In his own words: “Often, the best idea when it comes to remodeling is to retain existing character in one part of the home and modernize elsewhere.”
Redesigning your home is an exciting prospect — you just need to decide whether remodeling or rebuilding better suits your wishes and your budget. In some cases, demolition permits aren’t readily available; in others, rebuilding is cheaper due to the site or substandard construction.
When an alteration or an addition does make sense, think about how homogeneous your house can and should be, says Mark English, the principal of Mark English Architects in North Beach. He works with clients throughout the Bay Area to rebuild or remodel the home they have into the one they want.
Pre-Columbian origins. English, who grew up in the Bay Area, has been interested in architecture, building and design since childhood. “I was attracted to Incan and Mayan architecture, and learned to draw by copying photos of some of their most inspiring buildings,” he says. “I also loved to build structures and gained a lot of practical experience doing so.”
A world of inspiration. “I find this profession endlessly exciting; there’s always more to learn, and culture and technology keep changing and progressing,” English says. He also enjoys traveling and is inspired by the way other cultures solve problems: “I love midcentury tropical and desert architecture; it responds beautifully to the climate in which it resides. The overhangs and fins are not only beautiful but serve a purpose: protecting glass from heat gain.”
Below, read English’s tips to craft a beautiful, cohesive home imbued with your personality.
Below, read English’s tips to craft a beautiful, cohesive home imbued with your personality.
1. Find Your Focus
Create a centerpiece for your new or remodeled home to give it a focal point. For example, English added this whimsical steel sculpture — which also acts as a ladder to a storage space — to anchor a remodeled Victorian home in Noe Valley.
Much of the house had burned down in a fire, leaving only the facade, so the homeowner decided to add his own flair to the new interior. “Our client felt that he’d achieved a sense of personal ownership for the home, even though the exterior had to remain historically pure,” English says.
See more of this project
Create a centerpiece for your new or remodeled home to give it a focal point. For example, English added this whimsical steel sculpture — which also acts as a ladder to a storage space — to anchor a remodeled Victorian home in Noe Valley.
Much of the house had burned down in a fire, leaving only the facade, so the homeowner decided to add his own flair to the new interior. “Our client felt that he’d achieved a sense of personal ownership for the home, even though the exterior had to remain historically pure,” English says.
See more of this project
2. Draw From the Original Design
When adding on to your home, think of ways to mold its existing character to create a cohesive result. The owners of the Los Gatos home seen here wanted to add to and open up the space without losing the midcentury modern feel.
“Every part of the home that remained worked seamlessly with the new portions,” English says. He designed a rectangular entryway that blended smoothly with the rest of the home and its crescent-shaped footprint. The addition aligns with the radius of the center point of the home’s arc and features a home library, carport and powder room.
See more of this project
When adding on to your home, think of ways to mold its existing character to create a cohesive result. The owners of the Los Gatos home seen here wanted to add to and open up the space without losing the midcentury modern feel.
“Every part of the home that remained worked seamlessly with the new portions,” English says. He designed a rectangular entryway that blended smoothly with the rest of the home and its crescent-shaped footprint. The addition aligns with the radius of the center point of the home’s arc and features a home library, carport and powder room.
See more of this project
3. Add Your Own Touch
Take the opportunity a remodel or rebuild provides to personalize your space. “Claim your home for yourself; don’t always think of resale,” English says. Another Noe Valley client asked English to create a bathing space that was an integral part of the bedroom.
“This bathroom is about everything beyond function,” English says of the space seen here. “The mutable characteristics of light playing in iridescent glass tiles and cast-glass blocks — as well as in the water and wet surfaces — inspire personal contemplation.” The glass tile walls, cabinet faces and mirrors are arranged to give the space “a sense of layering and lightness,” he says.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Mark English and examples of his work, visit Mark English Architects’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Take the opportunity a remodel or rebuild provides to personalize your space. “Claim your home for yourself; don’t always think of resale,” English says. Another Noe Valley client asked English to create a bathing space that was an integral part of the bedroom.
“This bathroom is about everything beyond function,” English says of the space seen here. “The mutable characteristics of light playing in iridescent glass tiles and cast-glass blocks — as well as in the water and wet surfaces — inspire personal contemplation.” The glass tile walls, cabinet faces and mirrors are arranged to give the space “a sense of layering and lightness,” he says.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Mark English and examples of his work, visit Mark English Architects’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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Omdöme av patricia Campbell:
I recommend Mark without reservation. He designed three projects: Additional Dwelling Unit behind my house in Los Altos; for my daughter, a tricky San Francisco remodel of a burned house; and for my ...Mer