San Francisco, California, USA
Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects worked closely with the Port of San Francisco, the National Park Service, and California’s State Historic Preservation Office to adapt the Union Iron Works Powerhouse’s historic industrial structure for 21st-century occupants.
Developed by Orton Development Inc., the new design restored the entire 18,191-square-foot historic core, as part of a massive reinvention of Pier-70 that will birth a new 40+ acre waterfront neighborhood.
This project has been awarded a 2021 American Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
In restoring the structure for adaptive reuse as a technology company office, the project team had to create sufficient usable space to justify the capital expense of the renovation while preserving the building’s historic character.
The result is a stunning rebirth of this 19th-Century San Francisco landmark.
Constructed in 1912, the building’s original purpose had been to generate power and serve as an electrical sub-station catering to a 69-acre shipyard along San Francisco’s waterfront.
The stylistically formal yet eclectic building belies its original, highly industrial function, which filled the interior with equipment serving a 19th-century industrial complex.
The Powerhouse’s industrial infrastructure (massive machinery, 5-ton gantry cranes) and genteel early 20th C elements (original factory lighting alongside hardwoods, marble, brass, and mosaic tile) happen to be cherished to eschew soul-crushing environments of prosaic high-rise office buildings.
To make room for re-use of the building – for people rather than equipment – the interior is cleared out except for one salvaged and refurbished compressor (of the original four). This historic compressor – now a sculptural historic element – along with the cranes, is dramatically lit with colorful LEDs.
Once cleared of the surfeit of compressors, electrical switchgear and other equipment, the Powerhouse’s 48’ height at its main level ridge is further accentuated by 18′ tall windows.
A new mezzanine level is constructed along the south and the west sides of the structure, providing an overview of the main level. The mezzanine structure and the stairs leading to it are the most significant architectural interventions within the old building.
The heavy-timber construction of the new mezzanine and new stair treads is detailed to complement the exposed historic wood roof structure above, while the new steel balustrades at mezzanine guard rails and stair recall the historic exposed steel roof trusses.
The building’s main level and mezzanine are blessed with abundant daylight and views. In addition to this, the building has a lower level, which has low ceilings and is below grade along one side. The daylight-deprived areas accommodate bathrooms, conference rooms with video projection, bathrooms, and kitchen.
A new 2,600 SF addition to the lower level provides daylit open work area while the roof of the addition provides a deck accessible from the building’s main floor level; both deck and main level overlook a City park and a bridge beyond.
Throughout the building, the architectural lighting is instrumental in transforming the interior from an electrical powerhouse to a humane and uplifting environment for the technology workers. These elements do not imitate the Powerhouse’s historic architectural features, but rather enhance by contrast.
Architects: Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects
Preservation Architect: Preservation Architecture
Landscape Architects: GLS Landscape Architecture
Developer: Orton Development Inc.
Client: Port of San Francisco
Photographers: Billy Hustace
