Kendo is a brand based in San Francisco. They decided to expand into a new space. Kendo San Francisco Offices Craft by Garcia Tamjidi was the best choice.
The project was held by Garcia Tamjidi Architecture Design, known for its ethereally modernism reflected on projects. Some good examples are the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, the residential jewel boxes dotted across the bay area and multiple tech offices for both startups and established firms.
The people of Kendo (currently focused on six pillar companies: Marc Jacobs Beauty, Kat Von D Beauty, Ole Henriksen, Bite Beauty, Formula X and Fenty Beauty by Rihanna) had never worked with such enthusiasm.
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That retail look is based on a massive, shiny black centerpiece of a long glowing table that appears in the reception area and also in the cafe area, just the opposite. This is a reflection of the concept of the project, that was supposed to feature long views and repeated motifs.
Before moving into their own full-floor office space, Kendo product managers were squeezed together, displaying products wherever they could like conference tables, in spare hallways, on desks.
Now, with the combination of this endlessly long table and the great illumination (that highlights products, such as the Kat Von D Beauty lipstick tubes and the Marc Jacobs Beauty limited edition nail lacquer) it feels like there’s something worthy of looking at..
‘We also brought in graphics that reconfirm their cultural identity,’ says Michael Garcia. Those graphic, massive printouts glued to the wall (so they’re changeable following trends) help to give a sense of description momentum to the neutral-colored open office.
‘You’re looking at patterns of windows and colors of glass on all four sides,’ Tamjidi says about the views of downtown San Francisco that are visible from the clear floor-length spans. ‘A lot of it was hard architecture. Silver, smoke grey glass paneling, a very color-neutral field of view. We thought it’d be a good juxtaposition to have a pop of color in the foreground.’
The set of inside and outside, the bright colors mixed with soft neutrals, reveals the uniqueness of a company that is dedicated to incubating beauty brands.
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