SAINT JOSEPH'S ARTS SOCIETY

In 1906, Saint Joseph’s Cathedral rose from the ashes in San Francisco, a city trying to heal from the devastation of the historic earthquake and fire. When completed the church stood as a monument to the city’s swelling ranks of laborers—the backbone of a burgeoning metropolis. Following the quake of ’89, the Archdiocese abandoned Saint Joseph’s due to questionable structural integrity. The Romanesque Revival-style edifice, registered on the National Register of Historic Places, languished for almost 30 years as a dilapidated ghost in the city’s SoMa neighborhood.

exterior event lighting

In 2016, we set out to restore this crumbling sanctuary and return it to its former glory.

The purpose, however, was yet to be determined…

Amid the dust, and questionable integrity of the bones, we dug in, literally. A new mezzanine was built to accommodate our staff. As we hammered and sawed, a question flickered to light in our minds: What if this venerable structure could once again serve the community? We felt like modern-day Knights Templar leading a Crusade, as we gradually envisioned a rebirth and a reconnection to the spirit of assembly.

inaugural installation

First, we reinstated the use permit, which offered a path to creating a gathering place yet again—but this time, a sanctuary for art and ideas. Reborn as a membership entity, the aptly named Saint Joseph’s Arts Society would support a vanishing art scene in San Francisco. The name was also a nod to Saint Joseph as the Patron Saint of Carpenters; the kinship we felt fueled our passion for the project.

With trusted makers and vendors by our side, the transformation resulted in a vibrant amalgamation of gallery, event space, and creative sanctuary—where high-style design and thought-provoking art converge to celebrate the beauty of our changing world and the changing landscape of San Francisco. Echos of delight and laughter and the energy of creatives would fill its hallowed halls.

inaugural Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery exhibition

LOCATION
San Francisco, Ca

COMPLETION DATE
2018

INTENTION
Retrofit, interior design, and brand identity creation for a 112-year-old, 22,000 sq. ft. historic cathedral reimagined as a creative community sanctuary for the arts.