Kaplan Architects, AIA
6 Reviews
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Kaplan Architects is an architectural design office that has extensive experience in custom home remodels and new home design throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and other communities. Our approach involves listening to the clients’ needs and designing solutions to meet their specific requirements. We promote designs that are functional and have a clean, timeless character, not solely based on the fashion of the day.

Kaplan Architects designs kitchen and bath projects, family rooms, great rooms and new master suites. Projects may include additions and/or renovations. The project may include a whole house remodel that transforms the house completely or simply adds additional space.

As the region continues to grow, so has the amount of regulation regarding building projects grown. Each community has its own version of restrictions and requirements. Most cities are imposing more and more hurdles for approval. We have over thirty years experience in the jurisdictions of this region and have developed a process to navigate the complex approvals required to build and remodel.

The firm has been published in Home Magazine, Custom Home, Northern California Home and Garden, Sunset Magazine, and various other periodicals. The firm has received several awards for its residential projects and has been featured in various exhibitions featuring Bay Area architects. Home and Garden Television (HGTV) has featured many of our projects on their national television network.

Services Provided:
Architectural and interior design services

Areas Served:
San Francisco Bay Area

Certification and Awards:
Licensed Architect in California, C12668
NCARB Certified
National and local ASID awards
Contact:
Edward Kaplan
Type:
Architects & Designers
Address:
49 Zoe Street, Suite 10,
San Francisco, California,
United States, 94107
Phone:
(415) 974-6794
Fax:
(415) 974-1830
Website:
www.kaplanarchitects.com
License #:
c12668
    Kaplan Architects, AIA commented on a discussion
    Kitchen Island Counter Build-Up Question - Hello-we're about to template the granite for our new kitchen and it's been suggested to us that we should do a build-up on the island count... Read More »
    · Comment · 4 days ago
    Dytecture Can the person(s) suggested this to you tell you ? maybe it's just a marketing tool.
    4 days ago ·
    Kaplan Architects, AIA The build up of the counter edge makes the stone look thicker thereby making the counter material look more substantial. I do not know why they would suggest this for the island only.
    4 days ago ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA likes 2 comments on a discussion
    Boring exterior - I am about to get new windows and siding, but how to I fix this boring exterior?
    · · Comment · 7 days ago
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    vkilpatrick I think you need to hire a good architect- this exterior doesn't seem boring to me, rather it's busy and choppy but could be gorgeous!
    10 days ago · ·
    carolins Gosh, nothing boring about that house at all! Here are some ideas for you:

    Ferguson traditional exteriorFerguson 1
    Carpenter Gothic Exterior at Duck traditional exteriorCarpenter Gothic Exterior at Duck
    Ferguson traditional exteriorFerguson 2
    Williams Residence traditional exteriorWilliams Residence
    10 days ago · ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA likes a comment on a discussion
    Need Help with designing Kitchen Remodel, & Possibly House Extension. - We are a family of 4, kids aged 5 and 7. I have a small kitchen with next to no cupboards and counter space. I have no where to put things d... Read More »
    · · Comment · 7 days ago
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    Mona Ives Whether my comments here will be welcome or not, I need to say:

    If you have a designer who has not done a good job, it doesn't mean that designers in general are not worth their pay. Your asking someone to do it for free devalues the work of good designers.

    Yes, when hiring a designer you have no guarantees, so it's important to seek out credentials for the specific type of project you are doing. If it's a kitchen or bath you should find an NKBA designer.

    The onus is on the home owner to fully know what they are getting when hiring and there is a wealth of information on Houzz and elsewhere on the internet about how to find the right designer for your job.

    Last and then I will stay silent on the matter - giving an entire kitchen design on Houzz is just not good design practice and it devalues the work that good, hard working, designers do every day. This is not a substitute for a professional, nor is it meant to be a place to get a fully designed room - kitchen or otherwise.

    I appreciate that you may have found yourself in a difficult position with a designer who did not adequately address your needs and that may have left you in a bad situation from a budget standpoint, but then some comments on this thread are complaining that suggestions are not thorough enough. This is not a forum for a full-scale interior design of your home.

    I'm not sorry if this is upsetting to some, but the reality is - interior design is a paid industry.
    2 weeks ago · ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA commented on a discussion
    Exterior suggestions - It is foggy today, so I may have to repost when the sun burns off the fog. The first pic is what the house looked like when we bought it. I ... Read More »
    · Comment · 7 days ago
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA I would add some taller shrubs up against the house under the windows. I think consultation with a local landscape designer would be a great idea.
    7 days ago ·
    sstarr93 The cracked concrete takes away from the general appearance. I'd ask around about resurfacing it with a topcoat stamped & colored to resemble cobblestone.. only because of the style of your house.
    4 days ago · ·
    Linda Foreman what a fabulous kitchen....love the worktop and light fixture. I have just replaced my garage door for an electric one with some windows along the top. I got a great bargain (for cash, say no more) but it is white. My windows and front door and all the trim are stained a dark mahogany brown. Now I don't know how to manage the colours - it is a difficult one. Anyway, good luck with the outside spruce up - I think staining the driveway and investing in some shrubs and roses would be more than enough to change the whole outlook at present. Leave major changes till you have been there a while, have seen it in all weathers and also have some money aside to get what you really want.
    4 days ago ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA updated their profile
    9 days ago
    Kaplan Architects, AIA commented on a discussion
    Need Design ideas - I want to make the "Now Photo" into the After Photo, eliminating front balcony. Windows will be security Jauloise style. Would like to place... Read More »
    · Comment · 9 days ago
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA I think the idea of making the window head height stepping is not a great idea. I think it will look odd especially from the inside of the rooms. I would keep the windows at the same height.
    9 days ago · ·
    jeamandy Colonialgp is hot climate. We live without AC and have a gazebo out back. We dont use front porch.
    9 days ago ·
    onthefence jeamandy, I think maybe what Colonialgp is saying is that whether you use the front porch or not, that overhang and structure on the front will shield that part of your house. It will help keep the heat down a bit.

    I agree with Kaplan as well - I think stepped windows will look odd from inside.

    It looks like you have a modern aesthetic. I think there are other things you could do with windows to change the front appearance and get a cleaner crisper line.

    Here's a photo of something modern-ish. Could your windows work with this?

    Portland Mid-Century Modern contemporary exteriorPortland Mid-Century Modern
    9 days ago ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA commented on a discussion
    Building over the garage - Hi! We live in a time 2-storey wartime house that has 600 feet on main floor and 200 upstairs (2 bedrooms up). We have a huge 2-car attached... Read More »
    · Comment · 9 days ago
    Kaplan Architects, AIA Building over an existing garage is a very doable project. You will need to do some foundation work as the existing garage was likely not designed for a second story. I recommend you find a local architect to work with on this. There will possibly be some Planning Department ordinances to consider as well as various building code issues. An architect can help you determine the feasibility of a project like this and can take into account these considerations as well as how this addition integrates with the rest of the house. Best of luck to you!
    9 days ago · ·
    Dullea and Associates Inc. As Kaplan mentioned it is possible to design and build an addition over top of your existing garage. There are a number of things to take into consideration. Due to the age of the garage many of structural systems will likely need to be modified and/or upgraded. You will also need to consider where the stairs will go.

    I also recommend that you contact a local design professional to provide guideance and recommendations. A large part of my business deals with designing additions and renovations to single family homes. I feel esthetics and flow are very important things to consider with any project.

    The money invested in design will be money well spent.
    9 days ago ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA commented on a discussion
    Question on choosing floor and cabinets for kitchen (mascarello granite) - I picked out the granite for my kitchen remodel. It will be the kitchen counter and also limited back splash. I am looking for recomendati... Read More »
    · Comment · 2 weeks ago
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA I agree with leelee above. A different material for the back splash would be better.
    2 weeks ago · ·
    Barnhart Gallery Love the first/gold-grey option, yawning at the seafoam, and like the Brazilian.
    12 days ago ·
    Delfina For me I love the Brazilian one--very nice!
    12 days ago ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA commented on a discussion
    Paint the cabinets?? - We just bought an older home and they updated the counters with granite...need advice on what to do with the cabinets? Is the color ok and ... Read More »
    · Comment · 2 weeks ago
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    soberg If you're really interested in stain, do a few test pieces to see how well it works. Every piece of old wood is going to be different. If it's not going well, then you can easily switch to paint.

    If you paint, I would definitely spackle in the little routed detail on all the doors to update the look.
    2 weeks ago ·
    Kaplan Architects, AIA I would definitely paint the cabinets. I don't mind the existing hardware. I would test the paint on one door first to see if you might like it.
    2 weeks ago ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA commented on a discussion
    need help with fireplace. - I would like to reface the fireplace but am not sure if I should go just the width of the brick with cultured stone or do the entire wall. s... Read More »
    · Comment · 2 weeks ago
    Show 13 more comments
    Kaplan Architects, AIA I would do the whole wall if it is not competing with another feature in the room.
    2 weeks ago · ·
    Cold Harbor Studios This is the living space around the fireplace. The fireplace sits in the middle of the whole "living room,kitchen" space
    2 weeks ago ·
    juma decor I would do at least half the wall in stone. Get rid of the wood panels and you could put a lacquered mantle all the way across and maybe tie in the charcoal grey leather to the color you will paint the wall. Just a thought.
    2 weeks ago ·
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA commented on a discussion
    basements - Product options and design options for redoing basements
    · Comment · 2 weeks ago
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    Kaplan Architects, AIA Xypex is an excellent waterproofing product for this application
    2 weeks ago ·
    Pamela Farrar Curious about good flooring options.....we are not interested in wall to wall carpeting.
    Also, wondering about ceiling options
    2 weeks ago ·
    Deborah Butler, Brickwood Builders Do you have any dampness issues in your basement? Will you have heat/air in the space?
    2 weeks ago ·
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    Sign in to see 6 Reviews »

    Review by threeoars:

    Kaplan Architects provided a refreshing and creative new floor plan to a remodel that I had planned for a previous home. Ed Kaplan was innovative and creative ...
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    Review by Kikuchi & Associates:

    We have worked with Kaplan Architects numerous times over the past 10 years and have greatly enjoyed designing and developing projects that provide a unique bui...
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    Review by xieruihua:

    Ed Kaplan designed three projects for our house. 1. Remodel the kitchen and build a deck. 2. Change the deck into a dining room and the lower deck into a study....
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    Review by cbcgencon:

    Being a general contractor I have had the opportunity to work with numerous architectural and designer firms. Kaplan Architect's plans are some of the best. The...
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    Review by docrf:

    Ed Kaplan and his team were great partners in my complete home remodel ("down to the studs"). Ed and Co. were great idea generators yet always responsive to my...
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    Reviews by Edward Kaplan (2)

    Review for Ali Atri Photography:

    Ali recently photographed the exterior of one of our projects. He did a beautiful job and I would not hesitate to recommend him.
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    Review for Kikuchi & Associates:

    I have worked with Steve Kikuchi and his office on a number projects over many years. They have consistently produced excellent designs for our projects. They...
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