Rooms to Let: vacant storefronts come to life in and around Union Square for IIDA's The Windows

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Thanks to the International Interior Design Association's Northern California chapter, and a stable of more than 150 architects, designers, artists, contractors, construction companies, and volunteers, there's another reason to linger in the streets of Union Square and downtown San Francisco during the next five weeks. But, when you do, just be sure take a good look at the windows.

Call the installations real-life dioramas or exhibits in a large open-air museum (sans the admission fee), the 14 vacant storefront windows pending lease negotiations are located at 300 Grant Avenue, 128 Post Street, 100 Montgomery Street, 235 California Street, and 457 Pacific Avenue (all four displays at 128 Post have already been dismantled). Aptly named The Windows, the displays range from over-the-top enchanted moss-covered Alice In Wonderland-like forests, to dangling sculptures made of layers of colorful transparencies, and walnut-and-pvc pipe structures recalling a giant 3D kaleidoscope, all centered around one common theme: home.

Courtesy of The Windows

Window No. 9 designed by Studios Architecture, BCCI Construction, Haworth Commercial Casework, and Haworth

"When we initially thought of this concept and this competition, we saw that there were something like 50 empty storefronts, so we went to the brokers and thought it would be a great opportunity to bring attention to the buildings during the holidays, while gaining exposure," says Julia Campbell, Studio Director for Gensler and co-director (with Laura Gambino) of the IIDA San Francisco City Center chapter, of the design competition that continues through January 31st. "But we could have never predicted all of the pop-up shops that came in, so we had to be really flexible and move things around at the last minute. It's like DIFFA's Dining By Design, where each design team works with contractors and furniture vendors to create those fantastic tables, but they are only up for two nights. The investment is much like the windows."

Window highlights include Arcanum Architecture's (Window No. 1) wood sculpture consisting of an enormous cluster of intricately placed wooden dowels (all painstakingly glued into position in 4-5 hour shifts by members of the design team and help from Tad Beach and his crew at Design Workshops) and 32 tunnel-like pvc pipes giving way to family photos of just about every team member who worked on the project, and Vicki Simon and Evan Holm's (Window No. 10) whimsical interpretation of what it means to stay connected to home with a see-through lace-like dresser built by Holm and salvaged doors from Urban Ore.

"We liked the idea of suggesting a story unfolding, and we wanted people to see something new every time," says Jeff Burkebile, Associate at Arcanum Architecture."There were a few happy accidents and experiments and it was so interesting to see it take shape. I like to see people interacting with it and really enjoying it."

Courtesy of The Windows

Window No. 1 was created by Arcanum Architecture, Richlen Construction, and Design Workshops

(Hint: If you stand and study the window long enough you'll also discover the illuminated sculpture has four objects representative of childhood memories, such as a tiny black Monopoly piece plucked straight from a game played every Christmas Eve in years past, and a ceramic cow that once hung above the kitchen sink at Grandma's house).

"We came up with the concept of 'the ties that bind,' and the true connectedness to the home," says textile and interior designer Vicki Simon of window Number 10 she created with carpenter-turned-artist Evan Holm. "It all came together very fast and it was very serendipitous. We had one meeting at a cafe, and the same day went to Urban Ore and scoured for materials. The next day we met for paint, and the next time we met at the site. I installed all of the yarn freehand."

Courtesy of The Windows

Vicki Simon, Evan Holm, and RN Field Construction created this window display from a dresser built by Holm and salvaged doors from Urban Ore

"Like a house, you continually leave and come back, so the doors represent coming and going, while the sculpture of the yarn represents the connectedness you feel to the home," says Simon, who is also working on a new line of rugs available to the public early next year. "I think when you see our window, it draws you in. It's mysterious in some way and it makes you think."

"Our intention next year is to make it a bigger event and team up with some of the established companies like Macy's, Nordstrom or The Gap," adds Campbell. "It's a great way to generate community involvement and improve San Francisco's downtown, while we get the return of showcasing design. We're hoping that we can generate a lot of interest so it can just keep getting better and better."

For a detailed map and a complete list of participants, go to www.thewindows.org. Call 415/498-0501 through January 31st to cast your vote for your favorite window display (including dismantled projects). Be sure to cite corresponding window number from actual window or map. Winner is announced in February.

Posted By: Jennie Nunn (Email) | December 24 2010 at 06:00 AM

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