San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Designer Profile
Architect Mary Maydan prides herself on contemporary minimalist designs.
Mary Maydan believes architecture should be inspirational. The principal of Palo Alto’s Maydan Architects, Maydan prides herself on contemporary minimalist designs that seamlessly blend indoors and out.
The native of Israel fell in love with architecture when she was planning her family house and then founded Maydan Architects in 2004.
She steadily built a list of clients and now her boutique firm works on residential projects throughout the Bay area.
Her portfolio includes both new construction and extensive remodels and Maydan said her firm has had a lot of requests lately for Accessory Dwelling Units.
“ADU’s are easily the biggest trend of 2020,” she said. “It’s the magic word. Clients are interested in building ADUs for their home office or entertainment area.”
She attributes the trend to the pandemic, which she believes has made people spend more time at home and think about ways to improve their residences.
Previously a journalist, Maydan switched careers to architecture in 2004. “Silicon Valley is first in innovation when it comes to technology, but in those days its architecture was more traditional,” she said.
While designing a new ultraDESIGNER
modern home for her and her husband and kids in Palo Alto, people started visiting the construction site, complimenting the style, and she soon began getting requests for work.
In this interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Maydan talks about her architectural style, advice she has for anyone thinking of building, and the similarities between being a journalist and being an architect.
Q: Are any skills you learned as a journalist that you’re able to use as an architect?
A: There’s actually a lot of overlap and a lot of similarity. I find it most when I sit down for an interview with my clients. It helps that I was a journalist because I ask a lot of questions, try to get to know them and work to understand what their goals are and what makes them comfortable.
As a journalist, I was mainly writing feature stories. And most of those stories involved people who achieved great things and were very inspiring. And architecture too should be inspirational and uplifting. I look to discover the next extraordinary thing, to expand and improve the design world, and most importantly, make people’s lives better.
Q: What’s your favorite style of architecture?
A: I would say ultramodern, minimalistic. I call it California Modern. It’s informal, with an emphasis on indoor/ outdoor living. California Modern is more casual and informal and warm. One thing I like to have in the houses I design is a big glass wall facing the backyard. This enables the seamless connection between indoors and out. And I’ll use an overhang to give it shade.
Q: How many homes do you work on in a given year?
A: We’re a boutique firm and handle projects from start to finish. We’re handson and so detailoriented. Both our clients and us have high expectations, so I’d say we only work on four or five projects a year.
This year was challenging because our employees were at home with small kids. We did not take on new projects for several months. It’s getting a little better now. Getting back to normal.
Q: What is your design philosophy?
A: One thing I always say to my employees, design should not be egodriven. We don’t design houses that shout. We look for beauty, not for noise. That’s important for us. Make houses more powerful and healthier and improve the quality of life.
We’ve all been stuck at home for so long, we’re seeing that having a home connected to surroundings and nature with lots of windows and light makes you feel better. I’m a strong believer in that. It’s about making a dream house for the client. Not about ourselves.
Q: What advice do you have for people undertaking a renovation?
A: Whether it’s new construction or remodel, I have my clients write down a wish list. I’ll ask about the project and make sure their wish list is realistic. They might want to change everything but have a small budget.
One client split her wish list into three categories. She called it having the cake, the whip cream and the cherry. She said she would be happy to just get the cake. But here is the whip cream and cherry. I think it’s a nice way to think about remodel. Another important thing to think about when planning is everyone wants a project completed yesterday. Once they start, it’s urgent. They’ll plan for years but once it starts they want it done.