Women-owned Bay Area design–build contractor | CA Lic. #1111917
The homeowner wanted a fresh start for her multi-level Oakland condominium: a more open kitchen, fewer columns and arches, and a cleaner, more modern feel throughout the home.
What looked like a straightforward wall-removal idea turned into a much more involved architectural project. The city did not have the building records needed to evaluate the proposed changes. And because the condominium was part of a building with two levels below the residence, plans for just one unit would not be enough.
Mars coordinated architectural drawings documenting the entire building, not just the homeowner’s interior. With those plans in hand, our structural engineer evaluated the walls, columns and arches, determining how the requested openings could be made safely.
With the required permit in place, we moved into construction, removing the dated partitions and refreshing the kitchen, two bathrooms and flooring throughout the unit.
Remodeling older properties brings surprises. Here, opening one wall revealed a fire-protection pipe, a critical building system that couldn’t simply be cut or moved as part of ordinary demolition.
Fire-protection systems require specialized evaluation, appropriate licensing and any required approvals before modification. It’s one of the reasons thoughtful remodeling requires more than a beautiful design.
The biggest difference isn’t just a new kitchen or updated bathrooms. It’s the sense of space: rooms that connect more naturally, light moving through the home and a modern design that works with the way the homeowner lives.
From reconstructing missing plans to navigating structural questions and unexpected conditions, Mars handled the complicated work behind the finished rooms.
Thinking of opening up your kitchen, removing a wall or refreshing your entire home? Tell us where you’d like to start. Prefer a call? (925) 300-6181
The homeowner wanted a fresh start for her multi-level Oakland condominium: a more open kitchen, fewer columns and arches, and a cleaner, more modern feel throughout the home.
What looked like a straightforward wall-removal idea turned into a much more involved architectural project. The city did not have the building records needed to evaluate the proposed changes. And because the condominium was part of a building with two levels below the residence, plans for just one unit would not be enough.
Mars coordinated architectural drawings documenting the entire building, not just the homeowner’s interior. With those plans in hand, our structural engineer evaluated the walls, columns and arches, determining how the requested openings could be made safely.
With the required permit in place, we moved into construction, removing the dated partitions and refreshing the kitchen, two bathrooms and flooring throughout the unit.
Tell us about your space. We will review it and help you plan the next steps.
