Sarah brennan is admittedly a bit of a control freak—in a good way, of course. As founder and owner of Gold Leaf Design Build, she oversees and implements every step of the homebuilding process for her clients, from design and construction drawings to handing over the keys. How she got to the place of providing turnkey experiences for her new construction projects was not entirely happenstance.
As a fourth-generation builder, Brennan was always surrounded by construction; she chose a design-focused career, graduating from college with a degree in architecture. “I graduated during the Great Recession when it was hard to find a good job at an architectural firm, so I began working in the construction industry to stay connected to the architectural field,” she explains. “I knew working in construction would ultimately make me a better architect. I fell in love with the process of designing and building my own work.”
She later worked at various architectural firms, designing residential and commercial buildings. “I kept longing to be back in the field,” Brennan says. “I realized I would never be satisfied with only designing. Architects don’t typically control the means and methods of construction, and I wanted to be able to personally execute what I designed. It’s the only way I can control the quality of craftsmanship and address on-site issues when they arise. I don’t want to turn my projects over to someone who cares less about them than I do.”
She accepted a job at a construction company and became licensed as a residential general contractor, later taking the leap to start Gold Leaf to implement her novel concept of a design-build process that would operate a little differently than the industry norm. Being both an architect and a builder allows her to bring white-glove service to all of her projects and walk homeowners through the entire design and construction of their dream homes from start to finish. Although she refers to her company as a design-build firm, Gold Leaf is unique in its approach. Brennan puts on her architect hat to design a home then changes to her builder hat and physically builds, along with her subcontractors, what she has designed. This all-in-one approach is effortless for homeowners, who rely on Brennan as their single point of contact throughout the project’s duration. From construction concierge to all-encompassing passion projects, each client decides their level of involvement in Brennan’s model.
“Design-build expands the architect’s control to include the project’s costs and workmanship, which is an art form and a science,” says Brennan. “It is certainly obvious when a design is executed with craftsmanship, and when it’s not. This process hearkens back to history, when architects functioned as master craftsman builders and oversaw every aspect of construction.”
She looks for clients who are as passionate about the process as she is. “I absolutely love what I do, and I want clients to be as excited about the process and enjoy it,” Brennan explains. High-quality craftsmanship is of the utmost importance to Brennan, who focuses her business on designing and building luxury-level residences. She sets a high standard for her subcontractors, and she is in the field supervising and working alongside them every step of the way. “I have personally done almost everything in construction, from laying tile to installing cabinets,” she adds. “Understanding the realities of construction allows me to push subcontractors to achieve the highest standards. If they tell me it can’t be done, then I pick up tools and show them how it’s done. I don’t hesitate to physically get involved where it’s needed. Ironically, most things in construction that ‘can’t be done’ come down to a lack of desire or skill.”
Her favorite design-build projects are those where she can bring to life her clients’ concepts of how they want to live in a space. Where do they like to take their coffee in the morning? How do they like to decompress at the end of the workday? Do they like separation of spaces or a connected, open layout?
One such example is a contemporary lake house completed by Gold Leaf that captures views of its surroundings. The owners wanted a gathering place for multigenerational enjoyment, with features that could accommodate various ages. The homeowners initially hired her as their architect, but they soon expanded the project and asked her to build their home. Brennan’s job was to draw and bring to life the features the homeowners didn’t know to ask for. She designed elements to make the residence easy to navigate, including an elevator, easy-stride door thresholds and lowered stair risers. She also found a solution to the steeply sloped lot, designing tiered spaces in the backyard that face the lake. “It’s like Margaritaville back there,” says Brennan. “It’s a primary home that feels like a vacation spot.” A man cave on the lower walkout level with glass bifold doors that open onto a deck provides another entertainment option for the homeowners.
Currently, Brennan is pursuing her unlimited general contractor’s license to expand her capabilities while overseeing the construction of a cocktail lounge in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward. Since she already designs commercial structures, this additional professional license will allow her to also build commercial projects, including mixed-use and larger developments. She also has two homes on the drawing board and will soon begin the construction of those new homes in Atlanta. She is looking forward to future projects in the Roswell area, which is close to her home. “Something so close to my home base will allow me to spend even more time on-site,” she notes.
Her clients are happy to have Brennan as the single-source professional to design and build their homes. She understands what choices can make or break the budget and can adjust design and construction details to best meet individual needs. “I enjoy supervising the construction of my own design projects so I can ensure all is being done well. With Gold Leaf, there is never a disconnect between design and implementation,” she says. “I’m not a general contractor who barely visits the jobsite or briefly emerges from the truck. I am the eyes and boots on the ground and spend a lot of time with my subcontractors, who are helping me implement the home’s design. I’m all about nurturing excitement in the process for all involved—subcontractors and homeowners. At the end of the project, I want my clients to be happy to celebrate over dinner or drinks. The project is not successful in my eyes if that’s not the case.” *
Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and fine art.
