Shoppers who enjoy visiting the Oxbow Public Market can thank Chris von Eckartsberg. He designed the building.

Oxbow has been open for almost two years and von Eckartsberg said it "feels great" to see people using and visiting the marketplace. "I think it’s always exciting to move through a space that you designed and see people enjoying it."

"I love the diversity of the style of design within the market,” von Eckartsberg said. “Those are the things that make the market come to life."

His firm, BCV Architects, also designed downtown’s Zeller building, Franciscan Estates in Rutherford, an addition at Cakebread Cellars and a private home on Big Ranch Road. Additionally, BCV is well known for designing the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace.

Which three people would you most like to have dinner with?

My father Heinz von Eckartsberg. He passed away when I was 8 years old.   

My mother, Carole Perez. She was widowed at 37 with four kids and went back to law school after 17 years as a housewife. She started her own law practice and put us all through school and graduate school. She will turn 75 this year and still practices law full time in western Maryland.

Architect Louis Kahn. Kahn’s influence was prevalent during my architectural studies at the University of Pennsylvania. His simple, elegant clarity in design, poetic use of light and restraint with materials is still inspiring to me and to generations of other architects.

How did you get into this business?

I was an avid artist as a kid and remember being hooked on architecture after seeing blueprints for the first time. I thought, “Now that is the kind of drawing I want to do.” I majored in fine arts at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and then went to architecture school at the University of Pennsylvania.

What was your first job?

I was an actor in a summer stock theater company in Washington, D.C. That was the beginning of a long series of theater work. It really was a lot of fun. I sort of contemplated (an acting career) all the way through college. Then I got real.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

I served subpoenas for my mother’s law office and the local sheriff’s department — not what you would call a fun job.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Our industry needs to train young architects in business in addition to design. 

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to be a professional soccer player in Europe. I lived in Belgium for four years as a kid and learned to love “the beautiful game.”

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?

Napa has been extremely supportive of BCV’s work, and I am grateful for that. I would certainly encourage a continued focus on high quality in architectural design.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?

It’s hard to beat the San Francisco Ferry Building in terms of significance. Helping to breathe new life into this San Francisco landmark building was a thrilling experience. The project was a fantastic collaboration that introduced us to Oxbow founder Steve Carlin.  

What are your other favorite architectural elements or features in Napa?

Taylor’s Automatic Refresher at Oxbow. An old garage was the perfect palette to build a new Taylor’s. I really appreciate that kind of thing.

Greystone in St. Helena. It’s a spectacular building. 

Dominus Estate. (A winery off of Highway 29 near Yountville that features walls made of metal cages filled with rocks.) It’s an extremely successful modern building. It just goes away into the landscape. It’s amazing how well that was done. 

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions for…”

Steve Carlin — Owner and founder of Oxbow Public Market.

Joel Gott — Winemaker, Taylor’s Automatic Refresher owner and all around entrepreneur.

Michael Chiarello — Super-talented chef, businessman and personality.

More from Chris von Eckartsberg

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

With our firm’s diverse portfolio of project types, one challenge for us is to communicate well what binds our work together.  My partners and I share a core passion for projects that celebrate this region’s strong connection of food, wine, design and a sustainable lifestyle. We have endless energy for these types of projects.



I can’t live without…my kids Nico and Zoe and my amazing wife Colleen...oh, and my great dog Max.

What’s on your to-do list?

A ski holiday.

What’s your favorite gift to give?

Since Press Club opened in San Francisco, I’ve given many sensational bottles of wine from their impeccable array of vintners.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I can ride a unicycle.

What is your favorite charity?

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. This past year I lost both a best friend and my stepfather to this devastating disease. Both of these institutions gave them tremendous care and hope.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be? 

On some world travel adventure with my family.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

Fortunately, I love what I do and would not trade being an architect for any other profession. If I could also try another, I would be a filmmaker.

I could never be a politician.

Who do you most admire in the business world?

Apple’s Steve Jobs. His passion and skill in producing simple elegant industrial designs has proven over and over that impeccable design and attention to detail will be embraced and is worth the premium. 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

I’ve always wanted to play the guitar. 



Each Wednesday, the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled. To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com