return
to life in sf
In 1996, three friends working in a large architecture
firm realized that there must be a better way to serve
their clients. They felt that their clients needed to
deal directly with the people running the firm, the people
whose liveliness was at stake. Not only would this produce
a better product, but a better relationship as well. It
was this realization that created Arcanum.
Tim Chappelle (Cal Poly), Kurt Simrock (Cal Poly), and
Anthony Fish (USC) decided to take an opportunity afforded
them by a large client and opened their own firm. After
working together for over three years at BAR Architects
in San Francisco, the three of them knew how to put a
set of plans together. But they had no experience about
how to run an office. To make a long story short, they
learned how.
Now five years later, they run an office of six people
located near Fisherman's Wharf. The open plan and high
ceilings of their office offer no privacy. In fact, the
only doors in the office are the front door and the bathroom
door. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing or saying
and the principals hide little from their employees. However,
when privacy is needed, they simply go out to the street
or the café next door.
The major portion of their work until now has been retail
and restaurants. However, as of late, they have turned
their attention more to private residences. Some of their
retail clients include Pottery Barn, Bare Escentuals,
Hold Everything, and Artmosphere. While their restaurant
work has been for Left At Albuquerque, Pluto's, Niebaum-Coppola,
and Zao Noodle. They have completed projects in Irvine,
Palo Alto, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C., just to name
a few.
The three principals really know how to have a good time
and make the office as fun as possible and still turn
out great projects. They make the office feel like a big
family where everyone's input is important. As for the
name - it means "a mysterious knowledge known only
to the initiate." They felt a name like this would
distinguish it from all of the "law-firm" names
most architecture firms have. They also hoped it would
help their employees feel as if it was their firm too.
Tim, Kurt, and Anthony have created some unique and imaginative
projects over the past five years, as well as a wonderful
workplace environment. And seeing where they are today,
there is no telling where they will be tomorrow.
-adam goldstone
