History and Culture of Interstice Architects
Interstice Architects is a multi-disciplinary, San Francisco-based studio that designs sustaining places with a constant drive to reveal the latent potential of spaces—architectural, landscape, urban, and those in-between.
Interstice: a term defined as the space between. At the scale of the body, it is a dwelling: the space between the walls that shelter us—our private realm. At an urban scale, it is the open spaces between buildings—the civic and public realm. It is also defined as an interval of time: the duration between ideation and completion. We also define it as the overlapping territory between landscape and architecture.
INTERSTICE Architects’ works diligently see the world through the overlaps in territory—between disciplines, between desires, between infrastructures, between roles. IA believes that designers take action at the nexus of program, client desires, mediation of varied scales; the now and the future, resiliency and resources. The range and typology of the firm’s design work underscores this commitment to elevating material culture in the creation of places, dedicated to designing sustainable environments which engage and delight.
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INTERSTICE helps clients make places that create value and reflect ourclient’s values, from commercial buildings and private residences topublic and civic spaces, with a focus on the broadest possible interpretation of the designed realm.
IA is inspired by research into materials, with a scientific approach to program, and a deep commitment to understanding our clients. The firm is focused on unique conditions—those idiosyncratic social, historical, and ecological aspects that make each project distinctive.
INTERSTICE works in a collaborative spirit donning the role of designers, educators, and activists acting on a core belief that sustainability is integral to lasting and relevant design. We strive to establish simple and sustainable solutions that improve quality of life: from working on small, community-oriented urban furniture installations to the re-envisioning of acres of coastal frontage as an ecological response to the challenges of sea level rise and bayside habitat degradation. Our architecture and landscapes are both experiential and respond to broader issues and opportunities: the use of repurposed waste stream materials, reversing the loss of bird and insect habitats, the stewardship of ancient trees, or creating minimalist solutions to complicated programs. Diversity is a hallmark of INTERSTICE’s projects, clients, and collaborations. The designs that result are highly varied, yet specific, with a common objective of creating a place in the world better than when we came to it.
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Interstice Architects Selected Projects
The Landscape for the new CJ Huang Asian Liver Center at Stanford University Medical Center is designed to connect to the existing Freidenrich Center for Translational Research to form an integrated campus of research and office buildings. With shared intermediate courtyards and a multi-use lawn space for events, the landscape enhances and extends the pedestrian experience from the main campus.
Photos by Interstice Architects
This new parking garage structure turns its vehicle nature inwards, keeping its stairwells outwards to create a permeable landscape “skin” of shadow and light, which is activated by the pedestrian circulation contained within it. INTERSTICE designed the corresponding streetscape to received the various activities of its surroundings, on sidewalks & plazas, the restaurants and local community animate the edges. INTERSTICE created a streetscape of smart infrastructure deploying custom precast seating that matched the terra cotta screens of the structure, and leveraged the required storm water bio-retention planters to create deep edges along the buildings periphery where people can occupy the “working” landscape, that provides habitat and larger plantings to frame and complement the future public plaza across the street.
Photos by Interstice Architects
A transformative landscape approach completely reconfigures the social hub of the University of San Francisco Campus. The Science Center project, sited at the very focus of student life, demanded a new landscape typology that occupies center stage as it weaves through the primarily underground building. The design creates high-performing, multi-level outdoor-classrooms that treat, infiltrate, and collect stormwater, supports diverse native plant communities, and reestablishes the social heart of the campus for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Photos by Interstice Architects
Do not forget that we will be posting more work by Interstice Architects in the coming weeks and months, so keep an eye out for more of their incredible work!! Every Friday we will be posting a new Featured Company, so join us again next week!
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