Del Mar Housing Projects

Over the river and through the woods—err strip-malls—of San Marcos, something special is happening. It’s going down next to the Department of Public Works.
The casual observer might fixate on the awkward government facility: A visitors-beware, fenced-in building with a parking lot that’s sprinkled with police cars and pickup trucks. But this is a diversion from the nearby Area 51. The Department of Public Works is merely a distraction from the surf photography “Skunk Works” across the street.
It’s called Del Mar Housing Projects (or “DMHP”).
Skunk Works is a junk-phrase most typically used in aerospace engineering when referring to secret projects. However, in the case of this merry band of mad scientists, the phrase not only describes their secret projects but also touches upon their more-than-meets-the-eye, uber-contagious enthusiasm that’s ultimately their greatest advantage (technology notwithstanding).
Speaking of their photographic gadgetry, DMHP creates more angles than the Attorney General on trial. With their unique molds, ergonomic designs, new-age materials and hush-hush projects, mum is certainly the word. And how do they keep their secrets safe? “Statements of non-disclosure! Mandatory!” the Company’s founder proclaims proudly.
The founder is Del Mar native and Torrey Pines Alum, Erik Hjermstad. Most days, the bearded and sprawling Hjermstad shuffles about his office. While on his usual 16-hour shift, Hjermstad casts conformist thinking and conventional dress-code to the wayside (When I arrived for the interview he was wearing flip-flops and socks with resin-laden khakis that could stand on their own). When Hjermstad isn’t at work, he’s probably catching up on his Kombucha drinking and Bikram yoga—maybe even some sleep.
Like many great students, Hjermstad never let school stand in the way of education. “After B.S.-ing my way through high school and a year at USC, I moved on to the school of life,” he said.
Fueled by an unshakable interest in surf photography, Hjermstad stayed true to his words. “I was traveling with Brian Conley a bunch for a couple years.” (For those who don’t know, many of the unique camera angles from Conley’s recent footage were achieved using Del Mar Housing Projects’ technology).  Hjermstad ultimately traveled the world for three years as a surf photographer. However, he eventually reached the conclusion that his quickest path to achieving better photography was actually putting the camera down. Instead, he first needed to design and build himself a more advanced housing.  
DMHP’s second in command is Tyler Reid, a rider for Cult Clothing and Matuse as well as the grandson of surf legend, Butch Van Artsdalen. A perpetual smiler and prankster aficionado, Reid is a craftsman with many skill sets. He also once finished 18th overall in the Vans Triple Crown of Skateboarding (To date, no one at DMHP can match Tyler’s mark in the skateboarding time trial staged during office breaks).
Hjermstad and Reid first connected on a business level in the fall of 2005. At the time, Reid was building his own housing and was calling most of San Diego’s housing manufacturers for advice.
Despite Reid’s search for guidance, he routinely received the full turn down. “It was like, ‘Hey kid, we’re not going to tell you anything. Figure it out for yourself,’” Reid explained.
To finish the housing, all Reid needed was an O Ring—the easiest part. However, none of the manufacturers he contacted would even tell him where to get the missing piece.
Until he called Hjermstad. “When Tyler called I was like, ‘What! You’re building a housing? Well, cruise over and lets check it out,’” Hjermstad said.
When Hjermstad saw the housing Reid built from scratch, he instantly knew he’d found a co-worker. As Hjermstad recalls, “I was like ‘hey, you need a job? Lets do this!’”
Like their logo—a droplet falling on a duck’s back—Hjermstad and Reid are unaffected by competition or potential naysayers (Their logo was designed by Neil Kellerhouse (kellerhouse.com), the same designer who made the Finding Nemo logo for Disney).
While Hjermstad and Reid are DMHP’s foundation, they’re not alone. DMHP is also supported by an army of mini-MacGyvers (Hjermstad also requested special thanks given to his wife, Nadia). And while the DMHP Team’s housings are better than most, Hjermstad is quick to point out that the business’ biggest driver is personal relationships.
Hjermstad, 27, bought his first housing when he was 15 from Steve Ogles. “He was always a big inspiration for me,” Hjermstad said. “I was obviously a grom and he had a super cool workshop in Coronado. Still does. Only he now makes housings for motion pictures. Made a bunch of stuff for Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3. He’s big time. We’re not ‘that’ big time. But we moved out of the folks’ garage.”
DMHP has evolved from the humble beginnings and grown quickly. Among others, their housings are now used by Aaron Chang, Jeff Divine, Jim Russi, Daniel Russo, Damea Dorsey and Jeffrey Brown.
The reason why? Hjermstad says his products possess a greater overall functionality. “They’re lighter, stronger, better looking and less dangerous. Nicer curves,” he said. DMHP also employs unique manufacturing methods to accompany their NASA-like composites.
“We use a lot of the same materials and manufacturing methods explored in surfboards right now. With exotic foams, carbon fibers, resin systems and vacuum bagging—vacuum infusion. There are a lot of parallels in the technology we use to make housings also used for surfboards.”
DMHP not only makes next-level housings from space-age materials. They’re also looking forward to affecting greater industry change. They just won’t say how. At least, not yet.
“There’s a bunch of projects we’re affiliated with that you’ll be seeing in the mainstream media,” Hjermstad stated matter-of-factly. “The only one I can discuss now is a surf movie we’re working on called Sanctuary. You can check it out at sanctuarythemovie.com…Among others the film involves Tyler Reid, Zach Keenan and Derek Dunfee.”
Like a coup d'état, their popularity grows. And while they might be plotting a surf-photography takeover, they still sit in a workshop filled with free Craig’s List furniture; they use words like “manifest,” and eat raw food. They often reference that movie, The Secret.
With this kind of attitude, it’s hard to imagine their endeavor not reaching new heights. They have the kind of enthusiasm that’s fun to experience.
So next time you’re cruising through San Marcos, be on the lookout. Look for the Department of Public Works. Keep a sharp eye; and turn towards the good energy. Thanks to Del Mar Housing Projects, being so skunk works has never been so positive.