Meet Elizabeth Bougart-Sharkov of sDs – Sharkov Design Studio, L.L.C.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Bougart-Sharkov.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
sDs–Sharkov Design Studio L.L.C. was established in Los Angeles in 1990 as a full-scale architecture design and consulting firm specializing in high-end Custom Residential Design, Small-Scale Commercial Design and Interiors.

The firm engages in an intensely collaborative design process with its clients, leading to functional, sustainable and most effective personal solutions.

I am Elizabeth Bougart-Sharkov, International Associate AIA. I hold my Master’s Degree in Architecture from “University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG) in Sofia, Bulgaria, which has been recognised by Wesley College and the US Court as an equivalent to Master’s Degree in the US.
For the last ten years prior to moving to the USA, my professional practice as a licensed architect in Bulgaria was involving historic preservation, renovation and adaptive reuse of architectural landmarks.

In 1987 I was able to make a professional (and personal) transition to the United States. Three years later, in 1990, I established sDs–Sharkov Design Studio, L.L.C. in Los Angeles and I bring my combined extensive professional experience as an architect of over 45 years (in Europe and the US) to my jobs here in Los Angeles, CA.

My design philosophy is to pursue and achieve my clients’ satisfaction based on distinctive timeless design, job site specificity and establishing a reasonable budget. sDs – Sharkov Design Studio, L.L.C. is the place where a potential client can receive an initial consultation, plans for the future project and work with myself and my professional associates as an equal partner during each step of the way toward completion of the desired dream project.

I am dedicated to listening and paying close attention to my clients’ needs and desires. Based on my long time professional practice, I brings two very important skills to bear: creating a distinctive client-oriented architectural environment and managing all design and implementation phases of the process – the only way towards a quality final product.

These are the areas a client can receive professional assistance by working with sDs–Sharkov Design Studio L.L.C. – from initial consultations and architectural sketches in scale, through design and construction supervision, my firm provides services in the following areas:

* Single family custom residential design and remodeling
* Design for small scale commercial properties and health care/ doctors’ offices.
* Residential adaptive reuse
* Custom residential kitchen and bathroom design
* Historic preservation and restoration
* Landscape design consultation

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In general, I can consider myself very lucky working with all my clients throughout the years.

I offer sufficient amount of time to “cook” the project with them until everyone is absolutely certain and satisfied with the future outcome.

Adjustments during construction time are very common. My close work relationships with general contractors and local suppliers provide very imporant opportunity to timely address and adjust each of the eventual issues originated during the phases of building and installation.

As you know, we’re big fans of sDs – Sharkov Design Studio, L.L.C.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Every client I work with is an equal participant in the design process and final decision-making.
Such an approach provides very personally oriented built environment to live within for many years, or secure a very satisfactory payback for the future real estate sell of the property.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
In general, clients are reluctant to provide their architect with the desired available budget. Such an approach does not help them. On the contrary. If the architect knows the project budjet from the very beginning, he or she will be able to develop the best possible solutions by saving pressious and costly time for their clients. I cannot stress enough how much it is in the clients’ financial interest to provide the work budget up-front.

Pricing:

• 15% to 20% of the construction cost per square foot, based on the American Building Association guidelines.
• In certain interior design projects – on hourly bases
• For professional consultations on site – per free quote provided

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SharkovDesignStudio.com
• Facebook: Facebook/SharkovDesignStudio
• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Bougart-Sharkov, Intl. Assoc. AIA
• Yelp: Yelp/SDS SharkovDesign Studio

Image Credits
All images are done by Elizabeth Bougart-Sharkov