In San Francisco, a Romanesque church welcomes a new congregation

Even in a city like San Francisco, where creativity defines the culture and unexpected forms of art can be found around every corner, the Saint Joseph’s Arts Society stands out. Set in a renovated Romanesque revival church, the new 22,000-sq ft arts hub—which is part members’ club, part retail concept and part performance space—marries old-school grandeur with contemporary design, creating the ultimate backdrop for artistic expression and inspiration. The extravagant space is the brainchild of interior designer Ken Fulk, whose vision was to transform the long-vacant landmark in his hometown into a multipurpose space for the local community. To carry out the four-year project, Fulk assembled a robust team of restoration specialists, architects and engineers, including lighting designers from EJA Lighting Design, San Francisco Bay Area, which went on to receive three 2022 IES Illumination Awards of Merit for the building’s interior and exterior lighting and controls solution.