About CPF and the Awards

Held in conjunction with CPF’s 2026 Annual Conference in Riverside, the 2026 Mission Inn Preservation Design Awards Ceremony and Reception will spotlight excellence in historic preservation in a setting that reflects the very spirit of the work being honored. This special evening brings together award recipients, conference participants, preservation leaders, and supporters from across California to celebrate outstanding preservation projects and leadership through the Preservation Design Awards and President’s Awards.

Founded in 1978, the California Preservation Foundation (CPF) is California’s statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of historic places and cultural heritage. Through education, advocacy, and community-centered programs, CPF supports the people, projects, and policies that keep California’s historic resources vital and valued. We now support a national network of more than 36,000 members and supporters. Click here to learn how you can become a member.

St Joseph’s Project Team

Owner/Client & Title
Chris Foley – Ground Matrix

Interior Designer/Owner
Ken Fulk – Ken Fulk Inc

Specialty Sub-Contractor(s) Stained Glass Restoration
John Joy – John Joy Art Glass Studio

Specialty Sub-Contractor(s) Custom Door Hardware
Beth Puno – van Cronenburg,  inc.

Specialty Sub-Contractor(s) Mechanical Design Build
Leonard Rose – LMR Engineers

Contractor
Douglas Ross – Palisade Builders, Inc

Specialty Sub-Contractor(s) Code/Permitting
Tony Sanchez-Corea – ARS

Lead Engineer
Vahid Sattary – Sattary Structural and Earthquake Engineering

Historic Architect
Ruth Todd – Page & Turnbull

Lighting 
Margit Yasukawa – EJA Lighting Design

Specialty Sub-Contractor(s) Steel Work
  – Carlos Welding Inc

Specialty Sub-Contractor(s) Plasterwork
  – WM O’Neill Lath And Plastering Corp

St. Joseph’s Church

The St. Joseph’s Church is the winner of a 2020 Preservation Design Award for Rehabilitation. Award recipients are selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists. The Award will be presented on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at an online awards ceremony. Tickets and sponsorship options are available at californiapreservation.org/awards.

Read more about the Preservation Design Awards

About this project

Imagine a deteriorated 16,638 square foot church sitting vacant for almost three decades. Over the years, it suffered considerable damage from natural disasters, deferred maintenance, birds and vagrants. The building is once again open to the community – the owner hosts gatherings for cultural events, and New Markets tax credits provide jobs for local residents in this under-served part of SOMA

San Francisco interior designer Ken Fulk has re-imagined the interior space as the St. Joseph’s Arts Society for emerging artists.

A large church with two tall towers topped by gold domes stands on a busy street corner. Cars and pedestrians are visible, and the sky is clear with some distant city buildings in view.
Large ornate arched window with a circular floral stained-glass design set in a beige stone building facade, above five smaller arched panes; two black lanterns are mounted below.
Interior of a grand, white, domed hall with arched windows, ornate gold accents, and a decorative ceiling. A balcony with a railing overlooks the spacious central area below.
A grand, ornate hall with high arched ceilings, large decorative windows, elegant columns, intricate woodwork, and three double wooden doors below a balcony railing. Natural light fills the spacious, symmetrical interior.
A black metal spiral staircase stands in front of a large circular stained glass window set in a red brick wall, letting in natural light. The room has unfinished concrete flooring and minimal decor.
A grand, domed hall with ornate architectural details, large wall art, and elegant seating areas. Groups of people are socializing and relaxing on couches and chairs under warm lighting.
A large, historic church with two tall towers stands on a city corner. Text reads: “St. Joseph’s Church, Winner of a 2020 Preservation Design Award for Rehabilitation.” The California Preservation Foundation logo appears at the top.