Yves Behar, together with Amir Mortazavi, designed CANOPY's first location in San Francisco's prestigious Pacific Heights neighborhood. The new venue, delivering an elevated design aesthetic, a sophisticated membership program, and a concierge-style amenities program, redefines the concept of shared workspaces.
Built by M-Projects, CANOPY is surrounded on five sides by an abundance of natural light, including ample sky lights. August Smart Locks and a full back wall of Heath Ceramics tiling represent the dichotomy between craft and technology that San Francisco symbolizes. The space merges the latest in contemporary office furnishings from Herman Miller and Flos with 1960s and 1970s futuristic classics from Joe Colombo, Alexander Girard, Stilnuovo and Don Chadwick. "It is that pioneering spirit of makers past and present that we want to celebrate in CANOPY's design approach," Behar explained.
A striking Vitra Hexagonal Table by Alexander Girard is positioned in the lounge area; it can be deconstructed so that members have individual six-sided top tables in polished aluminum, which are as cool as they are functional. Surrounding this modular piece is a Don Chadwick by Herman Miller couch that fades from deep purple to light lavender. Originally designed in 1974, the sculptured seating is now updated with a contemporary seat height and the ability to carry power. Joe Colombo Elda Chairs complete the lounge area and deliver on comfort with its seven lush cushions, rotating bases and generous proportions.
The Public Office Landscape desk system with lilac accent designed by Yves Behar for Herman Miller comprise CANOPY's center and each of its four private offices to allow for a range of configurations for privacy and/or collaboration throughout the day. Each desk has a Sayl chair and a Flos Brass Pendant Light above.
One of the most dramatic elements of CANOPY is its chandeliers, designed by Yves Behar and Amir Mortazavi. The chandeliers serve three functions: as sky lights, they are natural portals for light; the high-density foam to create them provide for sound abatement; and the organic pendulous shape, which was inspired by the angel trumpet flower, are beautifully feminine, a soft contrast to the black marble and horizontal lines found throughout the space.
Custom designed black marble columns are structural elements and complement the marble found upon entry and within the reception with a pendulous shape that's opposite the chandeliers, facing up rather than down. Otherwise, CANOPY consists mostly of hard lines and triangulation. The triangulation starts with the CANOPY logo and carries through Heath's Dwell collection tiles that comprise the kitchen and bathroom walls, a vintage light over the black marble reception area, and the hand-cut chevron floors.
Photography: Joe Fletcher