Tom Farrage

Tom Farrage (born July 17, 1958, in Blythe, California) is a metal fabricator, craftsman and art collector who frequently collaborates with architects, artists, inventors, engineers, and filmmakers. Educated at the Southern California Institute of Architecture(1987), he works in steel, stainless steel, bronze, copper, aluminum; mixed media wood, plastic and glass. He has a long association with what has been called the “L.A. Avant Garde” award-winning architects Thom Mayne, Eric Owen Moss, Michael Rotondi, Craig Hodgetts, Frank Israel (b. 1945, d. 1996) and Frank Gehry.

Tom Farrage and Company Founded in 1987, the first shop opened across the street from SCI-Arc, on the corner of Berkeley and Nebraska Street, in Santa Monica. Thom Mayne was one of his first clients, arriving with plans for the Thom Mayne's 6th Street residence and a spaceship for his son Cooper. Wolf Prix of Coop Himmelb(l)au, Ray Kappe, Robert Graham, Rem Koolhaas, Gary Paige, Daly – Genik, Susan Narduli, Charles and Elizabeth Lee, and artist Lee Jaffe soon followed. In his design realm, he thrives to bridge the gap between a sketch and spaces people inhabit.

Selected projects Tube steel with gun metal blued finish with walnut wood treads and retractable feet.

Thom Mayne, SHR Perceptual Management, Scottsdale, Arizona Eric Owen Moss, If Not Now, When?, SCI-Arc Gallery Patrick Tighe, Moving Picture Company, Santa Monica, CA Richard Meier, Gil Friesen Residence, Los Angeles Nolan Bushnell, U-Wink Restaurants Nathan Mabry, Cherry and Martin Gallery Rem Koolhaas, Prada, Rodeo Dr.

Other collaborations Dean Factor, Smashbox Studios Stavros Merjos, H S I Productions Circa 2-k Entertainment St. John Maron Catholic Church PVUSD, Appleby Elementary School

Selected bibliography Michael Webb, Brave New Homes, Rizzoli 2003. International Architecture Yearbook no.6, Images Publishing.

Awards Best of Los Angeles, 2007

Articles If Not Now, When? by Eric Owen Moss Architects Architectural Record Volume 5 Los Angeles, August 2007. Frame, March/April 2003. Monument, 2002. LA Weekly, Feb. 2002 LA Architects, November/December 2001. LA Architects, January/February 2000. Quaderni issue 19, 1997 Domus No. 737, 1992