Some architects design dream homes for clients. Kevin Short built one for himself – and it took five years, a complete foundation overhaul, and the kind of patience that only comes from truly loving what you do.
When Kevin and his wife Katie purchased a dilapidated 1908 home in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood in 2019, they knew exactly what they were getting into. Or at least, they thought they did. The house needed everything: new foundations, structural work, and a complete reimagining of its layout. But for Kevin, founder of Tiny Monster Design, this wasn’t a cautionary tale; it was an opportunity.
What emerged is a home that marries historical charm with modern livability, indoor spaces with garden sanctuaries, and professional ambition with personal meaning. Featured in Dwell magazine, the project showcases not just Kevin’s design philosophy but also his understanding of what it really takes to turn a vision into reality, the budget conversations, the construction dust, the endless decisions, and, yes, the occasional doubt that it’s all possible.
Now a new father working part-time from his renovated Bernal Heights home, Kevin brings a unique perspective to residential architecture: he’s lived through what he asks his clients to endure. In this conversation, he shares insights on finding beauty in fixer-uppers, rediscovering San Francisco through neighborhood life, and why the best design work often requires letting clients make their own discoveries along the way.
Building Home: Architect Kevin Short on Renovating a 1908 Bernal Heights Fixer-Upper
When architect Kevin Short and his wife Katie moved to Bernal Heights in 2019, they weren’t just looking for a house; they were looking for a project. They found a 1908 home in complete disrepair and, over the next five years, created something both a labor of love and a testament to thoughtful residential design.
Rediscovering San Francisco Through Bernal
“Bernal helped us rediscover our affection for San Francisco,” Kevin reflects. The neighborhood’s charm extends beyond its sweeping views and tight-knit community. Kevin lights up when talking about local favorites like the ice cream window at Barb and the neighborhood’s excellent playgrounds—though he admits, with a laugh, that having a baby means he doesn’t make it to spots like Holy Water bar as often these days.
An Unexpected Path to Architecture
Kevin’s journey to architecture began with his mother’s suggestion during his college search, a suggestion he initially resisted. “I was looking at international studies at Georgia Tech,” he recalls. But something about the hands-on nature of architecture eventually drew him in, leading him to switch majors and ultimately launch his own practice in 2017.
The turning point came when Kevin renovated his own Mission District loft, gaining practical building experience that proved invaluable. “I collaborate with clients to create design visions that builders then execute,” he explains of his current practice. It’s a role that requires both creative vision and practical know-how—skills he would need in abundance for his own home renovation.
A Five-Year Journey
The 1908 Bernal house required extensive work: new foundation, framing modifications, and comprehensive layout improvements to extend its life by another 120 years. The project spanned five years total, encompassing planning, construction, and interior finishing.
“We intentionally sought out a fixer-upper,” Kevin says. “We were looking for a project rather than a polished home, and we didn’t have a specific timeline.” That flexibility proved essential as they navigated the unexpected layers of work that inevitably emerge during construction, a reality Kevin knows well from his professional work.
The timeline also had a very specific deadline: Kevin’s daughter was due in late 2024. Balancing priorities while meeting that immovable date added another dimension to an already complex undertaking.
More Than Just a House
One of Kevin’s proudest achievements is the garden he created alongside the home, inspired by his childhood in England. The integration of indoor and outdoor spaces reflects his design philosophy, one he’s now bringing to other projects, including a current house addition in the Sunset that incorporates similar garden concepts.
When asked about regrets, Kevin pauses to reflect on the initial demolition process and the uncertainty they faced at the outset. “We weren’t sure if we could afford the project from the beginning,” he admits. But the personal meaning and time invested have made it worthwhile. The home was even featured in Dwell magazine, a recognition of both the design achievement and the story behind it.
From Construction Dust to Paternity Leave
Living through a major renovation means normalizing construction noise and dust, something Kevin and Katie experienced firsthand. After completing the house, Kevin took six months of paternity leave with his wife, stepping away from his practice to focus on their new family.
Now he’s back to architecture on a part-time basis, taking a more time-boxed approach to work. “I’m currently helping a friend with a house addition project in San Francisco,” he says, bringing those same garden integration concepts from his own home to new clients.
Design Philosophy and Client Relationships
Kevin’s residential design practice focuses on single-family homes and interior design, with an emphasis on staying deeply involved throughout construction. He maintains design integrity through regular site meetings with owners and builders, adjusting as needed while preventing scope creep.
“My role is guiding owners while allowing them to make decisions about their projects,” he explains. “I help them understand the process, budget constraints, and their own limits for endurance during long-term projects.” Its wisdom earned through personal experience, he knows firsthand what it takes to see a vision through to completion.
Looking Ahead
As a new parent, Kevin is balancing family life with his continued work on projects in San Francisco, particularly in the Bernal neighborhood he’s grown to love. His approach emphasizes flexibility, close collaboration, and the understanding that great design requires both vision and patience.
For Kevin, architecture isn’t just about buildings; it’s about creating spaces that enhance how people live. And in his own 1908 Bernal home, transformed and renewed for another century, that philosophy is on full display.
To learn more about Kevin Short’s architecture practice, visit Tiny Monster Design, or to discuss a project, visit www.tinymonster.design.
To read the article in Dwell featuring Kevin’s home, visit https://www.dwell.com/article/before-and-after-windhill-tiny-monster-design-san-francisco-victorian-home-renovation-d3b0aa3b (also available on Apple News)
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