return to life in
sf
The deep hidden meaning of arcanum is known only by the
initiate, and this motto is what drives and motivates
the small North Beach based film Arcanum Architecture.
Only over a year in existence, started by three young
ambitious designers, Timothy Chappelle (Cal Poly, SLO),Anthony
Fish (USC) and Kurt Simrock, Architect (Cal Poly, SLO),they
wanted to start a close knit firm that had a family concept.
Being a design based firm, they wanted an environment
that would compliment their personalities. Their philosophy
behind Arcanum was that they wanted a strong working core,
and at the same time have fun at what they are doing.
There is a definite business atmosphere in the office
and at the same time they do not lose sight of reality
and their life's surroundings. As an intern of Arcanum
Architecture for the San Francisco Urban Design Program,
I can surely account for the inner workings of Arcanum.
HISTORY: Here is an excerpt from their web site
to give you a more detailed description and history of
the firm, Arcanum.
Arcanum is a young, talented, and rapidly growing architectural
firm established in 1996 by Timothy C. Chappelle, Kurt
Simrock and Anthony Fish. The three partners come from
the San Francisco Firm of Backen, Arrigoni and Ross (BAR),
where they worked together for a number of yews. Following
requests for their unique talents by such clients as Left
at Albuquerque and Zao Noodle, they branched off to establish
their own company?Arcanum Architecture, Inc. Each partner
possesses a variety of skills and experience, resulting
in innovative and challenging design solutions for every
project they undertake. In addition to having traditional
residential experience, the partners are widely knowledgeable
in the commercial field. They have collaborated on the
design of a range of restaurants and retail establishments,
including II Fornaio, Left at Albuquerque, Daily Grill,
and Pottery Barn. Liking the work they had seen for a
Pottery Barn prototype store (which is located on Chestnut
Street in San Francisco), Williams?Sonoma was eager to
hire Arcanum to create a prototype store for their Hold
Everything division. Arcanum ?mysterious knowledge, language
or information accessible only by the initiate.
ENVIRONMENT: The best way to describe my experience
at Arcanum was like being a new character of Friends meets
the Real World. The office characteristics have the hard
wood floor, high open ceiling, exposed brick wall, and
rich color counters that already puts you it that setting.
Also, just recently the three principals, Tim, Anthony,
and Kurt, also added to their cast two Cal Poly, San Luis
Obispo alumni, Jeff Stowell and Sharon Okada. They were
hired recently because they were growing and getting more
projects. My role as the intern coming in was to absorb
and experience as much as possible and what the world
of architecture can offer to me at the small firm perspective.
The setting was perfect because the office has no cubicles
and had minimal floor to ceiling walls, so the environment
was easily absorbed. I could easily observe the inner
workings of what an architect goes through on a daily
basis.
EXPERIENCE: The reason why I relate my experience
to a metaphorical sitcom is because each day was a different
experience I may have had one task to do for a week, but
the firth culture made it interesting and unique that
not one day were alike. The environment can also be related
to the design labs back at Poly. Those late design hours
working on a project and the peers around you for support
always ready to be critical of your work. At Arcanum and
due to the structure of their office setting. feedback
was always accessible.
Having the opportunity to intern at Arcanum has given me
valuable experience that will help me be a better professional
practicing architect one day. My mentors were willing
to expose me the real world of architecture, the troubles
and highlights architects face, especially being a small
firm practice hanging with the big boys of the corporate
and larger firths. Arcanum truly also has given me values
to live by and has given me a sense of hope (or reassured
hope, I should say) that architects can make a living
and be happy. Arcanum's impression provided me a profession
shat can be both, professional mixed with a great cultured
atmosphere to work in.
FAMILY: It is definitely a family setting at Arcanum.
Three strong co?workers developing great friendships to
start up the firm, help create the great working environment
they desired. They look for a team player, someone who
knows their own duty and at the same time has a supporting
role for the team. They laugh together and share their
frustration together. Whatever the situation may be there
is total 100% unconditional guarantee support. Whenever
there is a problem in the office, due to the firm's set
up once again, there are no secrets to be hidden. Whenever
there is a design issue or group client issue or even
personal issue, a formal meeting does not need to be scheduled,
it is tossed out in the open and discussed freely while
working and having good stimulating conversation.
Being a young firm there are still figuring out their own
structure of protocol, and having a close knit bond there
are able to share and ask for advice. Sure there are ups
and downs to a firm's structure and business of practice,
so is the way of life. Arcanum has a strong foundation
that what ever comes their way, good or bad, they will
face it and accept the challenge. They will grow indefinitely
over the years because of their hard work and determination
to strengthen their existing foundation they have already
created. A year ago, they started to shape an ant hill,
now they are climbing hills, and in the future they will
be conquering and attacking mountains.
