TAKE 10 WITH EUGENIO ARCANGELI
Eugenio Arcangeli brings to QuarryHouse not only more than 35 years of experience working with stone but a passion for its beauty. Born in Verona, Italy, from a family deeply rooted in the industry, Eugenio graduated from Milan with a degree in Geometra (a combination of Architecture and Engineering). He has worked with QuarryHouse since 2001 and became the Overseas Project Manager for QuarryHouse Atelier Verona in 2010.
QH: Congratulations on 20 years with QuarryHouse! How did you first meet Ed and Missy Westbrook?
EA: I was contacted by a headhunter asking if I was interested in interviewing with Quarryhouse in Marin. At that time, I lived in Montana. I flew in for two days of interviews with Ed and Missy. The following day continued with the CFO and another excellent project manager. Quarryhouse was in the process of growing with many projects coming up. Ed told me I was overqualified for the position, and I assured him that he needed me with my crazy, unconventional ways for his fast-growing company. Being hired was the beginning of a relationship that grew into a friendship. QuarryHouse has become a second family for my family and me through the years. Ed and Missy made great efforts to get to know my family and friends in Italy. My hometown in the northern hills of Italy has become home for the Westbrook’s too.
QH: You come from a family of stonemasons with your great grandfather working at the famous Verona Rosso Marble quarry in Porcino. Did you ever consider another profession?
EA: No, I come from six generations of stone quarrying and fabrication. My family owned quarries in Rosso Verona and Biancone, which extracted Rosa del Garda blocks, Nembro, and several Breccia (Breccia Pernice, Breccia Oniciata, etc.). I studied architecture in Milan, becoming an Architect, and it was natural that I would specialize in stone.
Example of Rosa del Garda marble
QH: What are your earliest memories of working in stone?
EA: It was expected that young boys in the family work during the summers. I began working at 12 years old at our family shop in town. The quarry was too dangerous; I was splitting small stone blanks with hammers for exterior paving.
QH: As Overseas Project Manager, what has been your most rewarding project?
EA: All of them. You see, stonework for me is not just a job; it’s part of who I am. The knowledge that I’ve acquired through the years is a technicality; stonework is like a curse when you are in it; it lasts forever; you can not shake it off. Stone is so heavy that it requires many people, a team of people to work and shape it. It’s beautiful to take wild rock and boulders and transform them into everlasting forms for generations to enjoy.
Every fireplace completed, I know what quarry and block it came from. We just finished a very complicated staircase with massive curved handrails and steps. The quarry master and I hand-selected the mountain location to quarry the blocks. From its start, I saw this project in Italy’s mountains, to the finish, installed in San Francisco. When I look at the finished staircase, I can see the line and the mountain veining in front of me.
QH: What are the challenges of doing business between Northern Italy and Northern California?
EA: You see, Italians have a different way of working than Americans. Americans are too serious and sometimes need to stop and smell the roses (or olive oil). Stop going so fast, with meetings over meetings and then more meetings. Italy is like chaos, yet there are order and creativity in all the chaos, and it is unbelievable, but it works. We have a great appreciation for beauty and taste (look at the cars and motorcycles that we make), and the same is for stonework.
Stoneworkers are very personal, and some of the time (most of the time) are hot-headed, and to deal with them (us), you need to be just as crazy as them. I fit in perfectly. When you work with quarries and fabricators, time is required for long conversations, arguments and disagreements, and a lot of head-scratching and laughter. Our meetings in Italy are personal, always knowing how their family and children are. We are wonderful collaborators. Many in the industry are my friends I’ve known all my life; we grew up together.
QH: Because of the current travel restrictions, you have been sequestered in the San Francisco Bay Area; how has that affected you?
EA: Tremendously, I miss all of it. Italy is suffering. Italians are people of laughter that like the company of others. I miss my cappuccino in the morning. Visiting the local cafe and debating and with others over the day's events. I want to go home.
QH: Your favorite city in the world?
EA: Hmmm, I don't have one. I have many friends in many cities that wherever I go, it feels like home.
QH: What is your favorite time of the day?
EA: Is this a trick question? I love the 24 hours whatever they bring in.
QH: The most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?
EA: I went sailing on the open ocean during hurricane season, challenging the perfect storm. Never again.
QH: If you were cast away on a desert island, what is the one food you would pick, knowing you would never tire of it?
EA: Pasta
