Exciting architecture, urban projects and public spaces in San Francisco (condos, house)

[mini_cute]

The city is a living and breathing organism- changing at every second, sometimes very unexpectedly, and yet retaining its own recognizable character and vitality.

It's often been said that San Francisco is a great study for architecture and urban planning with structures reaching back into the 1800s, such as the stately Victorian and Edwardian homes which line historic streets, to structures which were ambitiously built in the midst of the Great Depression such as the beloved and iconic Golden Gate Bridge, to the last few exuberant decades when banks expanded and impressive skyscrapers were constructed on the bay's waterfront transforming and lighting up the city's skyline.

In more recent times, the city has embarked on many exciting redevelopment and public realm projects such as the once non-existent Mission Bay neighborhood and the highly anticipated Transbay Terminal Station in downtown, and has embraced ideas of New Urbanism marking our entrance into an era of widespread environmental awareness, sustainability, and smarter urban living.

I started this thread to serve as an ongoing forum for sharing news, info, and photos of interesting architecture, urban planning, or related projects in San Francisco. I will try to post tidbits here but hope you will also participate with your own contributions and discussions.

[mini_cute]

Lights on Market Street

"3 large-scale lighting installations to inaugurate The ARTery Project, an arts-focused strategy to revitalize Central Market in San Francisco."

Video: Lights on Market Street on Vimeo

As you guys know, Mid-Market needs a lot of work. I wonder if public art projects can really help make a long-term difference in the way that the city is hoping for. Either way, it just seems really cool!

Tip: Check out the ARTery Project website for upcoming art installations and arts related events taking place along Market Street between UN Plaza and 6th Street. Most of these events are FREE.

[hsw]

Suspect biggest taxpayers in ca have different view of relevant public/private spaces

Major taxpayers may only care about underground parking garages at homes in sf or at offices in sf's fin dt or valet pkg in front of decent rests in sf...and easy access to 280 to head to sv for offices or meetings

A rather different view of major taxpayers vs tourists vs voters who pay almost no taxes and perhaps want taxpayers to fund welfare pgms like mass transit, museums, blah blah

That said, architecture in sf or NYC (or any other major business center) is dismal...as most key offices in any city are in crappy old-tech 25-50 yo towers in either Luddite town...highly wired industries like tech or finance tend to prefer utilitarian new campuses in suburbs w latest tech build, hvac, wiring, undgd garages and fancy cafes self contained so once one does drive from Palo alto or woodside or sf, one can work w/o hassles and drive home in safety/comfort/privacy of own car of choice

[mini_cute]

Originally Posted by hsw

Suspect biggest taxpayers in ca have different view of relevant public/private spaces

Major taxpayers may only care about underground parking garages at homes in sf or at offices in sf's fin dt or valet pkg in front of decent rests in sf...and easy access to 280 to head to sv for offices or meetings

A rather different view of major taxpayers vs tourists vs voters who pay almost no taxes and perhaps want taxpayers to fund welfare pgms like mass transit, museums, blah blah

That said, architecture in sf or NYC (or any other major business center) is dismal...as most key offices in any city are in crappy old-tech 25-50 yo towers in either Luddite town...highly wired industries like tech or finance tend to prefer utilitarian new campuses in suburbs w latest tech build, hvac, wiring, undgd garages and fancy cafes self contained so once one does drive from Palo alto or woodside or sf, one can work w/o hassles and drive home in safety/comfort/privacy of own car of choice

I find your view that architecture in major business centers is dismal interesting. I agree that in the past decade, high tech companies have planted themselves in the suburbs where they can have more space and build campuses. I wonder if this trend will largely continue. There is an interesting new development on the horizon: Salesforce's new headquarters slated to be constructed in Mission Bay on roughly 14 acres of land. I think Salesforce's new campus will be something that hasn't been done before, or done very often. It will be a large corporate campus positioned on a waterfront adjacent to a downtown urban center and mass transit, and will be designed with an open campus in mind. It will feature a public plaza with retail and restaurants where the general public as well as employees can enjoy.

Source:Salesforce open campus plan thrills city | San Francisco Business Times

[mini_cute]

Lego My Eggo

Remember when you were a kid and you built a Lego house and peered inside the windows imagining people were living inside? If you enjoy these memories and appreciate unique architecture, then you should visit UCSF's Community Center in Mission Bay. It was designed by a Mexican architecture firm, aptly named Legoretta + Legoretta (http://www.legorretalegorreta.com/lego_new/index.php - broken link). I've toured around in there and it is very much like being in a Lego house! Fantastic!

http://www.legorretalegorreta.com/lego_new/uploads/Proyectos6_119.jpg (broken link)

http://www.legorretalegorreta.com/lego_new/uploads/Proyectos3_119.jpg (broken link)

http://www.legorretalegorreta.com/lego_new/uploads/Proyectos4_119.jpg (broken link)

Legoretta + Legoretta are now once again designing a piece of Mission Bay- this time in the form of a 14-acre corporate campus to serve as Saleforce's new corporate headquarters. Here is a news article with more about this exciting project: Salesforce open campus plan thrills city | San Francisco Business Times

Another Lego-like structure within the boundaries of Mission Bay is the Arterra condo building on Berry Street designed by Kwan Henmi Architects:




I think the face of Mission Bay is slowly taking form, brick by brick.

http://biology.wsc.ma.edu/Math251/files/legos%202.jpg (broken link)

[mini_cute]

The Audi Design Project: Progress on Powell Street was launched with the purpose of improving the pedestrian experience on Powell Street in a way that transforms it into a vibrant destination and alleviates the congestion. So, working with the city of San Francisco, we’re doing something that might normally be considered unfathomable for an automaker — removing cars from the road. That’s right, we’re eliminating the parking lanes on both sides of the street and, in their place, creating a new public space that sits on top of the pavement.

But this is no ordinary public space. It’s a space inspired by the same philosophy of design and innovation that defines our approach to car making. And reflects our commitment to efficiency and sustainability. First we started with the materials, and the idea to build the space almost entirely of aluminum. Not only does it look pretty spiffy, it’s lighter and stronger than steel, and makes the bodies of cars like the Audi A7 more efficient. Then there are the custom designed benches, planters, tables and railings that evoke the fluid curves of our cars. And of course, it wouldn’t be Audi without a few well-placed LEDs to light up the night. But to take it one step further we’re installing custom solar towers to supply the electricity. And finally, to top it all off, since we’ve been turning our cars into hotspots, we decided to bring free WiFi to Powell Street too.

In the end, we hope to create a new vision for Powell Street. One that San Francisco will be proud to call its own.


"You can stroll, as well as sit, and even lie down," said Hood, demonstrating the different uses of the space.


With all the restaurants and eateries in the vicinity, Hood said people can use this table to enjoy a cappuccino, for example.


Hood demonstrates the free WiFi. An Audi passed by right as I snapped the shot.

Link to news source here

[mini_cute]

SF MOMA: Our Expansion

At last: a look at interior details of SFMOMA Expansion (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/30/BAT01M5889.DTL - broken link) by John King, Chronicle Urban Design Critic