Architect of Ideas

John Lum Architecture, San Francisco

One of the first things you notice about John Lum is his stylish frames. As the designer of 18 different optometry offices, the San Francisco architect is an expert in eye-catching structures, receiving an AIA/SF award for his work on the Urban Eyes office. For the tiny store, he deliberately used all oblique angles. “I learned how to make a small space very different and highly visible,” he says.

Since then, Lum has seen his practice expand in both commercial and residential business. With dual degrees in architecture and architectural engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he’s an enthusiastic advocate of green building and has two sustainable homes under construction—one in Noe Valley and the other at Stanford. Lum also recently completed San Francisco’s first Sunset Idea House, which features a rainwater-harvesting system and a windmill.

On the boards is a remodel of the corporate headquarters for bike-messenger-bag emporium Timbuk2, which will have workstations that incorporate bike racks. Next year, AsiaLA, his follow-up to AsiaSF, will be built. And in a slightly different take on his area of expertise, he’s also working on the 25,000-square-foot corporate headquarters of Elsa L, a San Rafael manufacturer of picture frames.

Taken from the October 2007 issue of our sister publication, California Home + Design. For more than a decade, CH+D has informed, celebrated and inspired the nation's most influential home and design market. Subscribe now.

 

One of the first things you notice about John Lum is his stylish frames. As the designer of 18 different optometry offices, the San Francisco architect is an expert in eye-catching structures, receiving an AIA/SF award for his work on the Urban Eyes office. For the tiny store, he deliberately used all oblique angles. “I learned how to make a small space very different and highly visible,” he says.

Since then, Lum has seen his practice expand in both commercial and residential business. With dual degrees in architecture and architectural engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he’s an enthusiastic advocate of green building and has two sustainable homes under construction—one in Noe Valley and the other at Stanford. Lum also recently completed San Francisco’s first Sunset Idea House, which features a rainwater-harvesting system and a windmill.

On the boards is a remodel of the corporate headquarters for bike-messenger-bag emporium Timbuk2, which will have workstations that incorporate bike racks. Next year, AsiaLA, his follow-up to AsiaSF, will be built. And in a slightly different take on his area of expertise, he’s also working on the 25,000-square-foot corporate headquarters of Elsa L, a San Rafael manufacturer of picture frames.

Taken from the October 2007 issue of our sister publication, California Home + Design. For more than a decade, CH+D has informed, celebrated and inspired the nation's most influential home and design market. Subscribe now.

 

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