This adaptive reuse of a brick and timber building in the SoMA neighborhood of San Francisco returns to the structure the original character of its brick, timber, and steel construction, while introducing lightness to the project— both literally, through skylights and expanded glass across the façade, and formally, through a steel-framed mezzanine lifted above the open-plan space.

Celebrating the original material palette of brick, timber, steel, glass, and concrete, the original brick and timber were sandblasted to expose the rich warmth and texture of the materials. Refurbished skylights punctuate the warm wood ceiling to bring in daylight, while a large glass and steel service door provides both a vehicular access point and lets in even more light.

A steel-framed mezzanine was added, expanding the space from 8,000 sf to 11,000 sf, and includes two glassed-in conference rooms, a large open work area, and two executive offices. Structurally, the mezzanine was constructed with its own foundation and lateral resisting system, in order to avoid adding new loads to the building, which had recently undergone a seismic upgrade.

A new HVAC system was installed, complete with exposed ducting and a pair of Big Ass Fans™ to assist with air circulation.

Year: 2018
Location: San Francisco, CA
Square Footage: 11,000
Typology: Office Space / Adaptive Reuse