Sanem Surel

She is a visionary principal designer, general contractor, and founder with over a decade of experience in architecture, interior design, landscape design, and construction management. Currently serving as Principal Designer and Founder of PermitBox, she specializes in permit expediting and consulting, streamlining the approval process for residential and small commercial projects across San Francisco and the Bay Area by working directly with city agencies to ensure efficiency, compliance, and timely project delivery. She is also the Founder and General Contractor of ToolBox Design LLC, a full-service design and construction firm providing integrated solutions from concept through construction for residential and commercial architecture, landscape design, and development. Her career includes design consultant roles at Robinson Finishes and Sutton Suzuki Architects, and as a Landscape Designer at Girvin Associates Landscape Architects, where she worked on luxury hotel and resort planning, master planning, and estate residential design. She is recognized as a creative, detail-oriented, and entrepreneurial leader who combines design excellence with deep knowledge of permitting and construction to bring visionary projects to life.