Julie Vogel 

President, Principal In Charge
Clearstory 

 

What are you currently working on?
We are currently working on the Data Science and Computation Complex at Stanford University with LMN Architects; the Richards Boulevard State Office Complex with ZGF in Sacramento; UC Davis Medical Center California Tower with SmithGroup; Tunnel Tops Park in the Presidio with James Corner Field Operations and Mission Rock Streetscape with CMG, Scape, the Giants and Tishman Speyer. We recently completed the San Francsico Conservatory of Music Bowes Center for Performing Arts with Mark Cavagnero and Associates. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to on so many great projects that help create the cultural fabric and public life of the Bay Area — including the The Center for Architecture and Design.

Who or what has inspired you professionally?
Places that create awe and delight inspire me. These experiences can be fueled by natural beauty, through incredible feats of engineering and design.  — Exepriences like my commute accross the Golden Gate Bridge; a stroll through the Oculus WTC Station in New York by Calatrava; Gaudi’s Sagrada Família in the afternoon light; or the colors from an incredible sunset in Stinson Beach. 

What has been your role on the Center for Architecture + Design (the Center) project?
Our role is to design the signage and wayfinding for the facade and space. That includes incorprating the Center’s new identity (developed by Kit Hinrichs) into the project as well as the donor and the code required signage. Our goal is to do that in way that is integrated, functional and beautiful. 

What excites you about the Center?
Creating a significant public space that is dedicated to sharing and exchanging ideas about all facets of design and architecture. This space will amplify the goal of the Center because the downtown streetfront location is an amazing opportunity to really turn the organization inside out to truly educate and engage the Bay Area community at large. 

How do you envision the Center in 10 years?
I envision the Center will be continuously bustling with programs that educate and inform the local school children and adult citizens about the vital role of design has to build-in resilence and sustainablitlity into our communities. It will host lectures and architectural tours for locals and tourists a like. Lastly, but importantly, it will provide a forum for the design community to educate, engage and connect with each other so we can continue to serve the Bay Area as civic leaders. 

What’s on the horizon for you?
We have so many great projects that we have recently been awarded. Currently, we are most excited about moving into our new office. Our lease ran out early in the pandemic, so we have been WFH with very little shared space and practically no library for two years. We are so excited to collaborate and re-embrace our Clearstory work family in person!

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
We are extremely grateful for our colleagues that are also contributing to the new Center and AIASF’s new home. We are honored to be part of this design village working with a shared vision to bring this project to life .

About Julie Vogel:
The intersection of architecture and visual communication has been the focus of Julie’s career for more than 25 years. Julie believes the best wayfinding and placemaking solutions are discovered by careful consideration of the urban parameters, architectural objectives and cultural context. By actively observing and analyzing these attributes, deeply integrated and people-centered design solutions are possible. She loves contributing to ambitious projects that have a public purpose. Julie’s clients appreciate her straightforward manner, nuanced design perspective and can-do leadership style.

Julie graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) program. She began her career in New York City, working for multiple award-winning design firms including Vignelli Associates, Henry Dryefuss Associates and Calori & Vanden-Eynden. Julie joined Kate Keating Associates in 1998, was promoted to Principal in 2009, and to President in 2017. As a leader in the industry, she was elected to the Society of Experiential Graphic Design’s (SEGD) Board of Directors in 2012, she served for eight years, with two years on the executive committee. Led by Julie, in 2020 Kate Keating Associates was renamed and re-branded as Clearstory. 

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