PARK Magazine

“WE HAD
LAVA PANELS
MADE FROM
THE LOCAL
VOLCANO,
AND A LONG
CURVING
MILLWORK
DISPLAY THAT
TRAVERSED THE
HALLWAY INTO
THE LIVING
ROOM.
designer who was just starting her own career and
wanted some advice from the famed architect and
designer. Her mother happened to be designing a 7,500
square-foot penthouse in the best part of San Jose
overlooking the golf course and Campion, who had
always wanted to explore the greenest country in Central
America, knew he would be able to transform the space.
Aside from gaining invaluable insight from spending
time with the local artisans who made the furniture,
art, lighting and everything else, Campion also became
close friends with his client, whose family was in politics
as well as part of a huge commodity business. With
20-foot curved ceilings, an oval shaped dining room
and numerous terraces, the floorplan was a challenging
endeavour - but Campion was ready to take on and
transform the unique space.
“We had lava panels made from the local volcano,
and a long curving millwork display that traversed the
hallway into the living room. I would go down every six
weeks to supervise and meet with artisans. I probably
had over 100 drawings and the firm that built the building
had never seen detailed drawings like mine. The powder
room had ribbed venetian plaster and an onyx sink. I
also incorporated wallpaper, which I’m not usually into,
but it worked for some specific wall finishes and rooms.
I always like to do something unique which tells a story.
This client really enjoys watching the birds, so the dining
room wall has sculpted birds that look like they’re flying
through it. I don’t like symmetry in design, and this
curving plan really makes for a magical experience.”
Platt’s latest projects include the ongoing renovations
at Hotel DuPont, the historic hotels in Philadelphia and
Delaware. Aside from decorating or building stylish
spaces and trying to make the world more sustainable,
Campion is hoping to release another book - or ten – and
maybe give his own TED talk. P
campionplatt.com