• About
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • Newsletter
  • More
    • Demographics & Advertising Rates
    • Terms & Conditions
Monday, March 27, 2023
No Result
View All Result
California Business Journal
  • Front Page
  • Business
  • Finance
  • People
  • Featured
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • Law
  • News
  • Food
  • Art & Culture
  • Human Interest
  • Education
  • Insurance
  • Real Estate
  • Health & Fitness
California Business Journal
leadim2

Trendsetting Approach

Smaller can be better in the architectural world. Just ask Chris Coonan of Oculus Architecture.

by Rick Weinberg, Editor in Chief, California Business Journal
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

THERE IS A NEW TREND EVOLVING IN THE ARCHITECTURAL SPACE — and one of the companies at the forefront of this movement is Oculus Architecture, one of the most creative, progressive and innovative architectural firms in the world today.

Oculus Architects, which has developed a global reputation as “the small firm that does big projects,” features just 20 architects and specializes in projects that range from $5,000 kitchen remodels to mammoth 10 square kilometer endeavors featuring apartments and condos, restaurants, food markets, a cinema and other retail stores.

“We do projects that firms with 10,000 architects traditionally do,” says Chris Coonan, President of Oculus, which is located in one of the most historically-designed buildings in Costa Mesa, Calif. “The special thing about us is that even though we have a small staff, all of our principal architects have 20 to 30 years of experience. Our clients prefer to work with groups like ours because it’s more personal than a big firm, which have multiple layers of hierarchy that can result in total confusion.”

Oculus’ award-winning Convention Center in Yangzhou, China.
Oculus’ award-winning Convention Center in Yangzhou, China.

At Oculus Architecture, clients deal with one individual only on a project versus 10+ people at larger firms, which is a nightmare. At larger firms, by the time a client gets to the individual who knows what is exactly happening with their project, they wind up being sent through a parade of inexperienced people who have no idea about the project, no idea who talked to city employees and no idea if the architectural designs are in the hands of the right person.

As a result, “important issues get lost in translation from one person to the next – and deadlines are missed,” Coonan says.

“Our principals work on the projects themselves. We’ve found that’s really what a client wants,” he adds.

Additionally, being smaller means less overhead, “so our fees are lower,” Coonan says. “Not only are we more efficient, but we do things quicker, there’s less confusion and our price structure is extremely attractive to clients.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Oculus’ European Canal City design in Southern China.
Oculus’ European Canal City design in Southern China.

The architectural industry is suffering these days because large firms with big corporate clients cannot match the service level expected or their clients’ needs. That’s why many turn to a firm like Oculus.

Oculus’s body of work is among the most decorated in the industry. It has captured numerous awards, including its design of a state-of-the-art convention center in Yangzhou, China, and a 2.5 square kilometer City Center along the Pearl River in Shun De, China that includes a financial tower, resort, canal parkway, riverside, central park, and residential towers.

Perhaps even more impressive is Oculus’ diversity and range. In California, it is responsible for exquisite designs of the Wildomar Clinton-Keith Shopping Center, a major urban masterplan in Orange County, unique Target Stores from San Francisco to Irvine, Sundance Cinema on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles, and other cutting edge theaters, to name a few.

Equally notable is that Oculus’ client list includes Target and McDonalds. The Target in Silverthorne, Colo., which resembles a western lodge, was Oculus’ brainchild.

It is clear to many in the architectural industry that Oculus’ business model is establishing a trend that is expected to become enormous in the future.

Oculus' Harbin Residential in Harbin, China
Oculus’ Harbin Residential in Harbin, China

“I do believe it will be a trend where experienced people at large firms wind up breaking away and still doing large projects with a smaller group,” Coonan says. “This will be a trend because large firms are going to become frustrated with the system that’s currently in place. They’ll be frustrated that their clients are unhappy and not getting quick answers and that they are not getting the value they’re paying for.

“There is an independent spirit among those in the design profession and people will gravitate toward these smaller structures.”

Coonan’s ability and desire to stay small yet tackle big projects evolved when he left the U.S. during the 2008-09 housing and economic crash to work in China.

“When the U.S. market tanked, China was on the upswing,” he says. “The world’s architectural focus was China. At the time, 51% of the world’s architectural fees were originating in China. There was also 20% growth. I was there at the peak of prosperity. I was so busy that every week there was a new project.”

As soon as the U.S. economy recovered, Coonan hustled back and took over as President and Managing Director of Oculus, which maintains an office in China to go along with its offices in Chicago, San Francisco and Omaha. The company is thriving like never before, thanks in part to its ability to embrace small projects as much as big ones, and the expertise and commitment of its staff.

“Many firms would refuse do a $5,000 kitchen remodel versus a billion-dollar project,” Coonan says. “We’ve seen a lot of developers these days that don’t have a lot of big projects right away, yet they might have a little project here and there. If you’re not there for your clients when they need something small, they may not be there for you when they need something big. That’s why if someone comes to us and wants to remodel their kitchen, we’ll do it.

Oculus’ European Canal City design in Southern China.
Oculus’ European Canal City design in Southern China.

“It goes to the fundamental idea that we should be able to design anything at any size. We want to do every kind of project there is – medical, industrial, housing, retail, office and even sky scrapers. There is no reason with our experience and background and the amount of projects we’ve done that we can’t do anything and everything.”
Too often an architectural firm chooses to specialize in commercial or residential, or says, “We only do housing, not retail.”

Not Oculus.

“They do that because to them it’s a formula — ‘We know how long the project takes, we’ve done a hundred of these, we just want to do what we do best,’” Coonan says. “It’s like prototyping. Personally, I think they’re selling themselves short.”

Contact:
Chris Coonan
Managing Principal, President
Oculus Architecture LTD
1901 Newport Blvd, Suite 300
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-520-0006
chris@OculusArchitects.com
www.OculusArchitects.com

Tags: architectureArtaward-winningCACalif.CaliforniaChicagochinaChrisChris CoonancommercialcompanyCosta MesadiversityeconomyemployeesEuropeanfinancialfirmfocusfoodGroupindependentindustrialIrvineLosLos AngelesLos Angeles Business NewsmedicalOculus ArchitectureOrangeOrange CountyOrange County Business JournalresidentialrestaurantsriversideSanSan FranciscoSouthernvalue
ADVERTISEMENT
Rick Weinberg, Editor in Chief, California Business Journal

Rick Weinberg, Editor in Chief, California Business Journal

Rick Weinberg is Editor-in-Chief at California Business Journal. He is a well-known writer, reporter and on-air talent who has worked for the New York Times, FOX and ESPN. He launched California Business Journal to focus on California businesses and business professionals as well as California business news and information. Contact: Rick@CalBizJournal.com / 949-648-3815

advertisement
ADVERTISEMENT

CBJ Newsletter

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram LinkedIn

Advertise With CBJ

Contact Rick@CalBizJournal.com

CBJ Rates and Demographics

Job Postings

CEO Wanted


Requirements: BS/BA + 2yrs of Business Managing Experience

Mail Resume: Grand Life, Inc. 14647 Northam St. La Mirada, CA 90638.

$114,754/year

ADVERTISEMENT
1REALTOUR-SAN DIEGO-WEB DESIGN
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn LinkedIn Instagram Youtube
C B J   LOGO  SVG-01
  • About
  • Contact California Business Journal
  • Testimonials
  • Demographics & Advertising Rates
  • Terms & Conditions

Categories

  • Art & Culture
  • Business
  • California Hotel Listings
  • Daily Updates
  • Editor's Choice
  • Education
  • Featured
  • Finance
  • Food & Dining
  • Health & Fitness
  • Human Interest
  • Insurance
  • Law
  • Lawyers
  • Marketing
  • Medical
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Opinion
  • People
  • Popular
  • Real Estate
  • Social Media
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized

CBJ Partner Firebrand Media

Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper
 Laguna Beach City Guide
 Newport Beach Independent Newspaper
Newport Beach Country Club Magazine
  Montage Magazine
 Omni Escapes Hotel Magazine
 Bespoke Concierge New York
 Evans Hotels
 Laguna Beach Magazine
 On The Menu Laguna Beach
 Newport Beach Magazine
Coastal Real Estate Guide (NB,LB, CDM)
Monarch Beach Resort Magazine
 Pacific Coast Magazine (SoCal)
Sea Island Life Magazine
Salamander Hotel & Resorts Magazine
 View our entire portfolio

 

Most Viewed

  • Gavel, scales of justice and law books

    Lawsuit Basics: How Much Does It Cost to Sue Someone?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Investigation: Can TriumphFX Take Your Money?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Impact of Covid: Racing to Buy Second Citizenships

    3 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What to Do When an Online Casino Refuses to Pay Out Your Winnings

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Truth About Temu: Where Is It From?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Top 5 Flavors On Elf Bar BC5000 Review

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • NFL Paychecks: How Do NFL Players Get Paid?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Temu’s New Shipping Policy Is A Smashing Hit For Shoppers All Over the Country

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Five Reasons Why The Government Does Not Like Bitcoin

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • How to Start a Telecommunication Business: A Step-By-Step Guide

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Latest Articles

4 Law Firm Tips that Help Grow Your Practice Even in Tough Times

4 Law Firm Tips that Help Grow Your Practice Even in Tough Times

Understanding Your Legal Options After a Truck Accident: 7 Tips to Know

Understanding Your Legal Options After a Truck Accident: 7 Tips to Know

Effective Ways to Make Money in Real Estate

Effective Ways to Make Money in Real Estate

Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right Online Casino Site

Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right Online Casino Site

Crypto Betting Security: How to Keep Your Cryptocurrencies Safe While Betting Online

Crypto Betting Security: How to Keep Your Cryptocurrencies Safe While Betting Online

Can You Trust Temu on Facebook and its Referral Games and Rewards?

Can You Trust Temu on Facebook and its Referral Games and Rewards?

Shoe Packing Isn’t as Easy as You Think on Moving Day

Shoe Packing Isn’t as Easy as You Think on Moving Day

How to Prepare Your Home for a Successful Sale

How to Prepare Your Home for a Successful Sale

Is It Possible to Track Facebook Messenger Secretly?

Is It Possible to Track Facebook Messenger Secretly?

How To Date Over 60 Successfully?

How To Date Over 60 Successfully?

California Business Journal | California Business News, California News Media, California business articles | Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Inland Empire, Northern California, San Francisco | Huntington Beach CA 92649 | (949) 648-3815
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY CALIFORNIA BUSINESS JOURNAL.
Site Design by 1REALTOUR

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Business
  • Finance
  • People
  • Featured
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • Law
  • News
  • Food
  • Art & Culture
  • Human Interest
  • Education
  • Insurance
  • Real Estate
  • Health & Fitness

California Business Journal | California Business News, California News Media, California business articles | Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Inland Empire, Northern California, San Francisco | Huntington Beach CA 92649 | (949) 648-3815
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY CALIFORNIA BUSINESS JOURNAL.
Site Design by 1REALTOUR