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P A R T N E R S H I P
IN FLU EN T I A L WO M E N O F D ESIG N | SAN FR ANCISCO “Our firm has a holistic approach to design with three key ideas that inform each project: place, light and craft.”
INDUSTRY INSPIRATION
STUDIO SARAH WILLMER ARCHITECTURE 415.642.1166 | studio-sw.com |
studiosarahwillmer
The most thorough architecture design firms think about every aspect of the home: the physical site for the house plus every interior angle. Sarah Willmer, principal of Studio Sarah Willmer Architecture, notes that just such a holistic design approach sets her firm apart. “We design both the architecture and interior of residential projects and even lay groundwork for landscape design.” Willmer credits the “Two-Way” house in San Francisco as the best example of their aesthetic. “It has a modern design with simple lines yet a rich material palette,” she says. “I love the way the front facade stays historic but is transformed with a few wood elements and a rich black paint. And the interior is open and filled with natural light.” What’s next? More private home designs, as well as the development of design solutions for the housing crisis in San Francisco, currently on exhibit at the Venice Biennale.
When it comes to design icons, Willmer cites Eileen Gray as a major influence. “Her work and talent was equal to Le Corbusier during a period of time when only men were recognized for their design talent. Her impact on modernism is known still today and in the history books. Plus, I love having her glass-andchrome side table in our home.”
SUPPORT TEAMS Both in the workplace and out, it’s important to build networks. Willmer’s first job after graduate school was at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and she found a female support group within the maledominated workforce. “We met to exchange ideas about our work and our love of design and architecture, and the power it had to inform and enrich our careers and lives,” she says. Later, Willmer also built a network of fellow creative parents—from a landscape architect to a graphic designer—who were interested in bringing art and design to their children’s curriculum.
Top Interior and exterior wood finishes blend seamlessly, connecting the kitchen to the garden in this Pacific Heights residence. Far left This long-term client wanted their office space to feel more like home than corporate. Custom furniture pieces paired with Minotti and B&B Italia transformed the work space. Left For a couple eager to enjoy the backyard with their dog, the living space is all about an open plan and indooroutdoor connection. Photography Jasper Sanidad Inc.; Headshot by Sven Wiederholt