Peak Design

Creative, utilitarian, design-forward, fun. This is Peak Design, founded and proudly designing sustainable bags and products in San Francisco that focus on celebrating how people and the great outdoors intertwine.

The design firm was asked to transform what was a cold, compartmentalized, and lack-luster space in the AIC (American Industrial Center) into a casual and vibrant HQ workshop that inspires a highly creative team. There is a whimsical camp feel to the 15,658 sq. ft. space, with a simple and natural aesthetic in both the furniture choices and arrangement. 

Large, vibrant murals of the great outdoors are displayed on the 30-foot walls and evoke the adventurous spirit of being out in nature  and can be seen by employees on the Mezzanine or workshop floor. A pattern of playful pendants soften the volume of the collaboration space and can be seen from outside, a kind of sneak peek to the fun inside. 

The designers reimagined a strange existing condition – an exterior roll-up loading dock door on the 2nd story – into an opportunity that truly let the outdoors into Peak’s space. The new space has a sliding glass system that allows everyone to enjoy the outdoors and is reminiscent of a private patio with views down a classic San Francisco street. 

With constant product design and refinement on site, the materials library and product display inspire and ground the team. Plywood finishes layered throughout the space serve as pin up boards and display areas showing off their newest designs as well as art and their team’s personal photography. Now, Peak Design’s people-first culture has a thoughtfully designed people-first office.

How do we build for today’s work streams with an eye toward tomorrow? And how do we make it…fun? The result is something I’m deeply proud of. What more could we want?

Peter Dering, CEO

Photography: FENNIE+MEHL