Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Cordelle.
Hi Patrick, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a second-generation architect and lifelong San Diegan. My father is both an architect and an architectural illustrator, so I grew up surrounded by design. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I spent a summer working with Jim Brown at Public Architecture, then joined Ted Smith at The Red Office, where I spent six years working on multifamily and hospitality projects.
During that time, we designed and built Abpopa Hillcrest, a 24-room boutique hotel. I now live and work at the hotel with my brother, who’s a painter. Running the hotel gives us both the freedom to pursue projects that are creatively fulfilling and personally meaningful.
Since going out on my own, I’ve collaborated with a number of talented local architects. One of my closest collaborators over the past few years has been Ralph Roesling of RNT Architects.
Today, my work spans housing, hospitality, education, and infrastructure—often self-initiated and driven by a belief that thoughtful architecture can make San Diego a better, more sustainable, and more connected place. I draw from a range of influences—Southern California, Latin America, and beyond—but always return to a simple, functional, and environmentally sensitive approach. I’m also part of The Red Office, a real estate and design firm focused on delivering value through ambitious, community-centered architecture.
For me, architecture is more than buildings—it’s about shaping the future of our city in a way that inspires, connects, and endures.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been easy. Architecture alone doesn’t always pay the bills, especially with self-initiated work. The hotel provides a steady base—it gives me room to breathe and keep designing with purpose.
We’ve been impressed with Patrick Cordelle Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I run a small practice called Patrick Cordelle Studio, focused on architecture that’s rooted in place, community, and sustainability. I work across scales—housing, hospitality, public space, and infrastructure—with a mix of client work and self-initiated projects. What ties it all together is a belief that architecture can do more than meet a brief—it can shape culture, strengthen neighborhoods, and help us live more thoughtfully.
What sets my work apart is its clarity and intent. I care deeply about form and material, but also about how a project feels, how it serves the people who use it, and how it fits into the larger fabric of the city. Many of my projects begin as ideas, driven by a desire to improve San Diego—whether it’s reconnecting downtown to the bay, reimagining the border crossing, or proposing new coastal infrastructure.
I’m proud to have stayed independent and values-driven. I hope people see in my work a mix of thoughtfulness, poetry, and purpose—and a real commitment to designing a better future for this city.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My best advice is to put yourself in the room—physically or digitally—where conversations you care about are happening. Reach out to people whose work you admire, even if it feels like a long shot. Most of my mentors came from just showing up, staying curious, and offering to help without expecting anything in return.
What’s worked best for me is forming relationships through real collaboration. I’ve learned the most by working alongside people on actual projects—whether it was building a hotel or drawing late into the night. Mentorship doesn’t always look formal; sometimes it’s just finding people who challenge you, believe in you, and let you in on the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.patrickcordelle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickcordelle/
Image Credits
All images are by me
