Willow Glen Resident
Community
Photograph by Vicki Thompson
Abby Durán of DuránDesign works out of the futuristic wooden-style cabin on Minnesota Avenue. The building was constructed in 1973 as a demo home touting prefabricated construction.
Building housing DuránDesign is a touch of back to the future
By Emilie Crofton
Passerbys often do a double take as they drive pass the octagonal, dome-shaped structure on Minnesota Avenue. With its wooden exterior and triangular walls and windows, the structure resembles a futuristic cabin from another world that somehow landed in Willow Glen.
The property is owned by Abby Durán, who has been running his business, DuránDesign, since 1988.
"It's so great and unique," Durán says. "It's always the topic of conversation when new customers arrive."
The structure, according to Durán, was erected in 1973 and built as a model home. It was used as a demo to advertise the stylized prefabricated home as "the wave of the future."
Instead of long construction time, a "prefab" structure is erected on site.
Durán, who was born and raised in Willow Glen, says people don't realize that the building is actually a business because it is located in a residential area. His only advertising is a small sign out on his front lawn.
"I love working in here. I feel like I'm in a cabin out in the country," Durán says.
He compares the structure of the home to an umbrella with no pole, but its unique design is both safe and secure. The building's foundation includes a large, round underground cement pillar located at the center. Pillars shaping the home all meet at the center, evenly spreading out the weight of the dwelling.
Durán says the two-story structure is perfect for his working environment. The 3-D triangular walls jut out, creating artistic, makeshift cubicle areas for the office space.
Durán works as a consultant, aiding companies in industrial, product and mechanical designs.
"We assist the client's product development team in achieving a balance between aesthetics, cost, manufacturability, functionality and marketability," Durán says.
Durán, who graduated from San Jose State University in industrial design engineering, runs his business with his two sons, Shawn Paul and John Alexander.
Although Durán occupied the building for 20 years, his is not the first business to own the property. He says prior businesses included a commodities firm, limousine service, engineering consulting firm and a florist.
Durán says before he bought the property the area was not well taken care of and was considered the eyesore of the block.
Over the years he has brought it up to date, redoing the landscape, adding light fixtures, redoing the bathroom and adding a kitchen. But he has made sure to keep the building's unique look. The business sign in front of his house is made with wood and railroad ties, keeping the rustic style.
Although this "wave of the future" never caught on, prefabricated homes are becoming increasingly popular, with a cluster of them in the Bay Area. Durán, however, discovered the value of the structure 20 years ago, and it has worked well ever since.
"It's a very creative environment to work in," Durán says.
DuránDesign is located at 702 Minnesota Ave. For more information, visit www.duranproductdesign.com or call 408.995.5599.
