Francisco Kripacz: Interior Design

Arthur Erickson was one of the 20th century's premier architects, but little has been written about the man who designed the interiors of Erickson's award-winning buildings, whom everyone in the business simply called "Francisco." A decade before his death, Erickson wrote this manuscript to pay tribute to Kripacz and to tell the world of the importance of Francisco's creations. With stunning images from some of greatest photographers of the day, such as Yousuf Karsh, this book looks at Erickson's key projects and the crucial contributions made by Kripacz to their feel and glamour. It includes Erickson's extended commentary on some of his most famous architectural projects from the 1970's through the 1990s, including Roy Thomson Hall, the Eppich Houses, Napp Laboratories, and the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., all of which had stunning interior designs and furniture by Kripacz. As this book goes to press, the Erickson and Kripacz-designed furniture line, the Erickson Design Collection, is being brought into manufacture, with many items becoming available for the first time.
Francisco Kripacz: Interior Design is a beautiful legacy to the working partnership of a charismatic and passionate artistic duo -- a last testament from a remarkable architect to the man who shared in his greatest achievements.

Born in Vancouver, Canada, Arthur Erickson studied at the University of British Columbia and later at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, where he graduated in Architecture with honors. Advanced studies brought Erickson to Greece, Italy, the Middle East, and Japan, where he discovered the nuances of architectural style in different climates and terrains. In 1963, Erickson reached a landmark moment in his career when he won a competition to design Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. Upon the university’s completion, Erickson’s integrative design gained international acclaim, opening the gateway to a long and distinguished career.