S.R. Design firm scores trio of awards

Lending some credence to the myth that good things come in threes, a San Rafael design firm scored a trio of awards in the span of one week.

Plath & Co., a general contracting firm that specializes in restoring historic buildings, was lauded for a recent project, listed among the most elite firms in its industry and, finally, deemed one of the best employers in the Bay Area.

A restoration project in the Presidio Heights district of San Francisco earned Plath a silver in the annual Best of the Best Design Awards competition, which recognizes extraordinary design and construction. Now in its seventh year, the national award is based on a project's quality, creativity and aesthetic appeal.

The winning home Plath renovated was originally designed by architect Houghton Sawyer in 1913. The 10,000-square-foot, four-story, unreinforced masonry building needed its entire interior and exterior historically rehabilitated to bring it back to its original glory.

For the exterior portion, Plath contracted with terra cotta company Gladding McBean, which provided original 1913-era molding. The project threw a few curveballs at the Plath team. Removing old terra cotta exposed corroded structural steel, which was replaced as Plath progressed. All the remaining terra cotta pieces were reglazed afterward to lessen the contrast between the new and the old. All of the brickwork was repointed to bring back the original mortar color.

The house's garage addition required Plath to temporarily support a quarter of the front of the house during excavation and steel work. This addition allowed the front patio to be extended across the whole width of the façade. A new set of doors and their associated terra cotta were copied from an adjacent opening to allow the family room direct access to the new patio.

Landscaping work included new retaining walls and planter beds, two fountains, three fire features, a hot tub, barbecue area, new walkways, privacy fences, gates, plants and lighting. Custom bronze castings and assemblies were incorporated in the gates, fountains and fire features. The interior work included the redesign of every room in the house with the exception of the laundry room and a third-floor guest bathroom. An additional perk of being an award winner: recognized projects are featured in the December issue of Professional Remodeler.

While the Best of the Best Award cited one Plath project, the firm was also included in the list of top general contractors in the nation. Plath ranked No. 35 in Qualified Remodeler magazine, the longest-running ongoing recognition program that highlights the nation's top contracting companies. Honorees are chosen based on significant success in terms of installed remodeling dollar volume, total years in business, industry association membership, industry certification, industry awards and community service. "We are proud to be ranked by one of the top construction magazines among some of the most notable companies in the nation," said Steve Plath, the firm's founder and CEO. The 2008 Top 500 list is available at qualifiedremodeler.com.

Rounding out the list of accolades was Plath & Co. being named among the "Best Places to Work" by the North Bay Business Journal. During its third annual competition, the journal's editorial staff ranked companies based on an anonymous employee survey that asked questions about workplace policies, leadership, job satisfaction and benefits.

"Since founding the firm more than 30 years ago, Plath & Co. has stayed true to its promise of high quality and fine work," said Plath. "We are proud of having such a hardworking team of incredible people and will continue discovering, supporting and developing the talent whose creativity and dedication wins the loyalty of our clients and partners."

With two offices in Northern California - one in San Rafael and the other in St. Helena - Plath & Co. was reported to provide a work environment that allows flexibility and enables growth. The company currently employs 60 people.

Plath & Co. joined 14 other winners in its category at a special award ceremony that took place in September at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park.

The firm was founded in 1975.