Firm Overview
Kaplan Architects, established in 1985, is a San Francisco and East Bay based Bay Area residential architects service firm engaged in projects throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
At Kaplan Architects we believe in pursuing design excellence. We do this through thoughtful iteration of ideas, challenging our own preconceptions, and rethinking the solutions we develop. We strive for the results of our work to be functional, timeless, and beautiful. We create spaces with our clients’ needs and desires foremost in mind, and we strive to create spaces that are warm and inviting.
Kaplan Architects specializes in mostly custom, high-end residential and small commercial projects in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. We have a strong capability in both the design and the technical aspects of the work. We design new homes, additions, and remodels.
We can provide services to guide you through the entire design and building process. We will develop a thoughtful and well-considered design, take you through any required planning department reviews, develop the technical details and permit drawings needed for construction and permits, procure the building permit, assist you with finding a good contractor, and work in concert with the contractor to make sure your project is executed as planned during construction.
We are your guide and advocate throughout the entire process. We can tailor our services to your specific needs and believe we are an exceptional value to our clients. Kaplan Architects has developed a reputation among its clients, other architects, and builders as a firm having unsurpassed quality and unequaled integrity. It is our goal to always meet and enhance our reputation. The goal of Kaplan Architects is to leave every client completely satisfied with the services it has to offer. Mr. Kaplan believes that the interaction between client and architect can produce buildings that withstand the changes of fashion and time. A complete design considers both the interior and exterior of the building as a totally integrated effort. Projects emerge from the clients' needs and desires while responding to the cues of the site, sun, and climate.
KEY PEOPLE
Edward Kaplan, AIA, NCARB Principal / Early on in life Ed had a fascination with how things worked, how they went together. He was the go to fix it guy at home when something was broken. As a very young child, his parents displayed authentic gleeful enjoyment when he fixed things that had ceased to work properly. This only encouraged him to be fearless in taking things apart to see how they worked and putting them back together. Ed’s mother and older brother had an an interest in oil painting. At an early age Ed would borrow his brother’s oil paints and create his own artwork. In high school he was a good student but his favorite subjects were auto shop and wood shop where he could take things apart, put them back together, and design and build furniture. On his college application he had decided engineering would be a suitable career path but just before putting the application in the mailbox (there were no computers back then!), he thought architecture would be a better choice and changed the application at the last minute thinking it combined all of his interests including design and understanding how things go together.
Ed is a licensed architect, has a Master of Architecture degree and a Bachelor degree in Architecture, both from UC Berkeley. He has been a Bay Area resident since 1969 and a licensed architect since 1982. Ed currently resides in the East Bay where he has a home office and the firm office is located in San Francisco. He is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He is a former board member and treasurer for the San Francisco Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, a former board vice president of the Small Business Network, and a former board president of Pro Arts, an East Bay non-profit arts organization supporting emerging artists. He is currently a board member of Menorah Park in San Francisco, a non-profit organization that provides seniors with low cost housing.
David Seltzer, Design Associate / David’s artistic expression started early as a young child. His parents were both accomplished artists and David learned his skills from observing them. He didn’t have a TV growing up so much of his time was spend sketching and developing graphic novels as a young man. Through these pursuits David has developed exceptional design and graphic skills.
David leveraged these skills to earn a professional bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Oregon. He currently resides in Marin County and is an avid bicyclist. He is a keen advocate for producing excellent design work that is well executed. Mr. Seltzer's skills are well balanced between design and technical abilities. David is currently working toward his architectural license in California.
