Commercial Projects
SEE THE BONES
Architecture has bones, both literally (structure) and figuratively (concept). We believe in seeing the bones. There is a satisfaction that comes in understanding how a building holds itself up, tracing the weight from the roof through the walls, beams and columns down to the ground. That said, there is also a certain drama inherent in the concealing of structure that can be used to great effect at times. We work very closely with good structural engineers to ensure that the structure and the architecture are acting as one, supporting and reinforcing each other.
SEE THE BONES
Architecture has bones, both literally (structure) and figuratively (concept). We believe in seeing the bones. There is a satisfaction that comes in understanding how a building holds itself up, tracing the weight from the roof through the walls, beams and columns down to the ground. That said, there is also a certain drama inherent in the concealing of structure that can be used to great effect at times. We work very closely with good structural engineers to ensure that the structure and the architecture are acting as one, supporting and reinforcing each other.
Asphodel is an SF experimental music label with roots in punk, performance and electronic music. We designed a new state of the art recording, mastering and performance studio for them taking into account the crossover between their audio and video work. Recent developments in the architecture of sound management, such as bass isolating concrete walls and massive sprung floors acting as subwoofers were integrated throughout the scheme while maintaining a virtually invisible street presence in their rough corner of SOMA.
One of the earliest coworking and startup incubator spaces in San Francisco, this storefont was designed with two sides. One side is a flexible office space, available to clients. The other side is a café open to the public. This project represents the new landscape of work in San Francisco; nimble, social, lean and fun. Located right on Valencia Street in the hip Mission district, The Summit is at the epicenter of the next generation of the internet.
Mitchel Mauk is an award-winning exhibit designer, so it was an honor to be selected to work with him on the new offices for his firm. Located in a commercial warehouse space on the edge of the very hip Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, this bi-level facility plays with transparency and translucency. using contemporary materials such as Profilit glass channels, here held in place with repurposed skateboard wheels. Skylights flood light down through the space for a warm serene environment.
New Balance is a well-established brand in the shoe and athletic-wear industry, staking out a uniqi8ue place in the market with their domestic production, sustaining focus and emphasis on overall healthy lifestyle. For their retail outlet at Santana Row in San Jose, we worked with natural materials including cedar, organic forms and the iconography of the shoes themselves, including massive lacquered foam soles forming a playful dropped ceiling on the interior, projecting through to become an awning on the exterior.
Our firm has an extensive history in space planning and office design, working for bothsmall and large firms in Class A and B space. We seek to create flexible creative spaces reflecting both the needs and the character of the tenants. Additionally, we often work with landlords, studying how to split suites and resolve exiting and code issues with their buildings in preparation for new tenants.
A new bar, lounge, and nightclub in the historic Herbst Mercantile building. Sloane features exposed sandblasted brick walls, warm wood paneling and rugged steel backbar and mezzanine structures. High-concept lighting and concert-quality sound complete the nightlife environment. The space is over 6000 s.f. and capable of holding hundreds of patrons.
Long a fixture on the European cade scene, Segafredo recently decided to begin a move into the North American market. For this downtown San Francisco location, one of the first stateside, they partnered with local investors. In our design for the space, we worked with the language of the classic glossy red and black of their fast paced Milan aesthetic, tempering it with natural materials such as a tumbled marble floor. The café has been a huge success, busy with tourists and locals.
FLOWING SPACE
Over the past century, architecture has broken free of the box. It is no longer limited to a series of individual boxy rooms connected by little doorways. Flowing continuous space is possible allowing us to live with new connective social patterns. The ‘open concept’ plans of the early modern houses started this but it has come so much further. A flowing space need not be a space without definition or character though. Subtle but meaningful spatial definers (ceiling height, flooring, light, materials) can modulate the quality of the space even as it flows together, helping clarify the use and character of each part of the whole.
FLOWING SPACE
Over the past century, architecture has broken free of the box. It is no longer limited to a series of individual boxy rooms connected by little doorways. Flowing continuous space is possible allowing us to live with new connective social patterns. The ‘open concept’ plans of the early modern houses started this but it has come so much further. A flowing space need not be a space without definition or character though. Subtle but meaningful spatial definers (ceiling height, flooring, light, materials) can modulate the quality of the space even as it flows together, helping clarify the use and character of each part of the whole.
The Powell Hotel is a tourist hotel located in the heart of San Francisco, right at the cable car turnaround. Over the course of several phases, we revamped the lobby, café front façade, rear façade, staircases, and many hotel rooms, all while keeping the hotel open for guests. The facades feature limestone panels and new tower elements at the rear, along with steel and glass awnings. New signage was developed. Work was coordinated with subtenants in the building, including Sephora.
CELEBRATE THE EVERYDAY
We have a great appreciation for the people who actually build our buildings.The work of their hands and the diligence of their thinking is what makes everything possible.Paper architecture is not our goal. Each part of the world has a particular way of putting together buildings: a vernacular.In Northern California, it involves a lot of wood studs at 16” on center.We seek to understand the everyday way of making architecture and, where possible, celebrate it by making the most of it.Custom, unique and unusual also have their place, but there are many opportunities to celebrate the everyday and work with, not against, the wonderful people who build our buildings.
CELEBRATE THE EVERYDAY
We have a great appreciation for the people who actually build our buildings.The work of their hands and the diligence of their thinking is what makes everything possible.Paper architecture is not our goal. Each part of the world has a particular way of putting together buildings: a vernacular.In Northern California, it involves a lot of wood studs at 16” on center.We seek to understand the everyday way of making architecture and, where possible, celebrate it by making the most of it.Custom, unique and unusual also have their place, but there are many opportunities to celebrate the everyday and work with, not against, the wonderful people who build our buildings.
One of the earliest coworking and startup incubator spaces in San Francisco, this storefont was designed with two sides. One side is a flexible office space, available to clients. The other side is a café open to the public. This project represents the new landscape of work in San Francisco; nimble, social, lean and fun. Located right on Valencia Street in the hip Mission district, The Summit is at the epicenter of the next generation of the internet.
As is so often true with a restaurant venture, Soluna was opened by an energetic young chef on a hope, a prayer, and a few credit cards. Soluna is a café by morning, busy lunch time eatery by day, and wine bar and fine dining by night. The transformations are accomplished with elements such as variable lighting, projection screens, movable custom furnishings, and an integrated sound system. We created an environment of warm, rich, colors, drapery, a fabric paneled ceiling, and textured paints for a subtle Moroccan feel.
A new bar, lounge, and nightclub in the historic Herbst Mercantile building. Sloane features exposed sandblasted brick walls, warm wood paneling and rugged steel backbar and mezzanine structures. High-concept lighting and concert-quality sound complete the nightlife environment. The space is over 6000 s.f. and capable of holding hundreds of patrons.
A new bar, lounge, and nightclub in the historic Herbst Mercantile building. Sloane features exposed sandblasted brick walls, warm wood paneling and rugged steel backbar and mezzanine structures. High-concept lighting and concert-quality sound complete the nightlife environment. The space is over 6000 s.f. and capable of holding hundreds of patrons.
Asphodel is an SF experimental music label with roots in punk, performance and electronic music. We designed a new state of the art recording, mastering and performance studio for them taking into account the crossover between their audio and video work. Recent developments in the architecture of sound management, such as bass isolating concrete walls and massive sprung floors acting as subwoofers were integrated throughout the scheme while maintaining a virtually invisible street presence in their rough corner of SOMA.
Rehabilitation and addition to an historic brick and steel leatherworking warehouse in the Western SOMA district into a new mixed-use property. New program will include a restaurant/pub at the subterranean level, high-tech office space at the first floor and mezzanine, and 12 new residential units at the third and fourth floor. Fourth floor units will pop through the roof with new sawtooth penthouses. The roof deck will be developed as a “park the sky” using the new topography of the penthouse roofs.
As is so often true with a restaurant venture, Soluna was opened by an energetic young chef on a hope, a prayer, and a few credit cards. Soluna is a café by morning, busy lunch time eatery by day, and wine bar and fine dining by night. The transformations are accomplished with elements such as variable lighting, projection screens, movable custom furnishings, and an integrated sound system. We created an environment of warm, rich, colors, drapery, a fabric paneled ceiling, and textured paints for a subtle Moroccan feel.
Mitchel Mauk is an award-winning exhibit designer, so it was an honor to be selected to work with him on the new offices for his firm. Located in a commercial warehouse space on the edge of the very hip Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, this bi-level facility plays with transparency and translucency. using contemporary materials such as Profilit glass channels, here held in place with repurposed skateboard wheels. Skylights flood light down through the space for a warm serene environment.
The MRA had outgrown their original Corte Madera Creek boathouse. We got involved to help this non-profit imagine and construct a new facility. Elements of the original building were reused/repurposed while redesigning and expanding the structure. The ground floor is devoted to boats, lockers, and restrooms. The upper floor features workout space, staff offices, and a community room. The two are connected by a stair/ elevator tower standing like the coach beside the rowing shell, dormers uplifted like pars ready to race.
TRANSITIONS
Architecture is full of transitions. Each threshold between spaces affects both our perception of the space we are leaving and the one we enter. Thresholds affect the degree and quality of connection (or disconnection) between those spaces. Passing through a thick wall feels different than a thin one. A transition can be as subtle as a change in flooring or a beam overhead. It can be as heavy as a bank vault door. We have developed a large toolbox of architectural elements to help us create the right kind of transitions for each moment in the building.
TRANSITIONS
Architecture is full of transitions. Each threshold between spaces affects both our perception of the space we are leaving and the one we enter. Thresholds affect the degree and quality of connection (or disconnection) between those spaces. Passing through a thick wall feels different than a thin one. A transition can be as subtle as a change in flooring or a beam overhead. It can be as heavy as a bank vault door. We have developed a large toolbox of architectural elements to help us create the right kind of transitions for each moment in the building.
