We are designers and artists
Architectural design and interior design are ways of using space and form, shapes and sizes, abstract arrangement, materials and textures, light and shade, and color; all part of the designer’s palette when working to create a space for living. We believe that creative and meaningful outcomes require creative and collaborative processes. The power of art lies in its ability to connect us to something deep inside. Each project has the potential to be co-creative and transformative in both the process and the outcomes. How can we connect to that potential and help create a project that resonates with you?
Julian Cohen
I graduated from St. Martinʼs School of Art in London, and later attended pottery classes part-time at Southampton Art School for two years. I completed a training course in carpentry and joinery and went on to work on historical restoration projects, including a 16th-century farmhouse in the tiny West Sussex village of Amberley. My commute was a five-minute walk past stone walls, roses, and thatched cottages.
In California, I joined the carpentry crew at the Muir Beach Zen Center, practicing Japanese joinery under the tutelage of master Japanese builder Paul Disco. I worked for an interior design and furniture design studio. It was a great learning experience in design and production, and I worked on homes in Malibu and Beverly Hills. In 1997, Marie and I opened ARC Design, and somehow, through all this, I made time for my artwork.
Sustainable solutions
A sustainable community is best served by acting and trading locally. The cornerstone of ARC Design is fostering community growth by using local resources in our design projects. ARC is an acronym for Art, Resource, and Craft. We have developed relationships with local artisans in a networked guild that encourages collaboration in the design and building process. The arts and crafts connect us to our cultural and regional diversity.
We advocate efficient energy and technology solutions, as well as the use of reclaimed and recycled materials in building construction and furnishings. In our projects, a slab from a fallen tree becomes a piece of locally made furniture, and old barns have their siding recycled for new floors. Energy-efficient, super-insulated solar homes we design tend toward net-zero energy use and stay cool in extreme heat without air conditioning. Building in the right place, understanding sun cycles, hydrology, and microclimates all impact future building choices.
Initial Meetings
Our initial meetings often start with a potpourri of memories and aspirations: ideas and images of buildings, spaces, colors, textures, fabrics, and furnishings. These thoughts inform the creative process; they are like seeds looking for fertile soil.
Architectural design
The architectural design process starts with a dialogue to develop themes and project requirements, followed by proposals, schematics, and presentations. Our goal is to be pragmatic about costs and limitations. Working drawings and specifications are created for permitting and construction. We oversee implementation and final touches.
Furnishing
The process begins by developing a visual vernacular that integrates the home’s architecture and the surrounding landscape and expresses the client’s vision. We develop and present ideas for furnishings and color palettes and facilitate the purchase and installation of the furnishings, accessories, and artwork.
Gratitude
The work we do at ARC Design is collaborative and co-creative. The design world is based on trusted relationships and historical precedent. No one person or company can take full credit for the designs they do. Thank you to the great artists, designers, and innovators of the past and present who opened the doors we stepped through.
Marie Cohen
I obtained a BA and Teaching Credential in Fine Art at San Francisco State University, along with a BA and Credential in French and a Masterʼs Degree in English/TESOL. In my Fine Arts studies, I emphasized both painting and textiles. I was very lucky to be able to study textiles with two internationally acclaimed textile artists: Ted Hallsman and Barbara Shawcroft.
I joined an interior design firm in Marin County, and continued to do my own painting and weaving as time permitted. My paintings and textiles are in private collections in the Bay Area and Sonoma County.
ARC Design became the ideal vehicle for bringing all my skill sets together. I love creating color palettes for homes and choosing fabrics for custom bedding, draperies, and soft furnishings. I design custom furnishings in various materials. My ability to speak French and Italian has facilitated shopping trips to Europe to purchase antiques for clients.