Another project from the Rotterdam-based practice begins construction in San Francisco. MVRDV's latest mixed-use building named Building A is part of the city's new Mission Rock masterplan. The team designed a 23-story tower with undulating balconies that extend to the top of the building's western facade suggests a "rocky" exterior.
According to the firm, their tower's block-like topography was inspired by California landscapes to form a low to high rise structure, creating a canyon-like space opening into the harbor. The structure's roof terraces "complement internal amenities for the inhabitants, while the canyon is shared with people working in offices on the lower floors," shares MVRDV. "Its internal, canyon-like street is an essential part of a sequence of public spaces, extending the landscape from China Basin Park through the building itself and into the heart of the Mission Rock masterplan, connecting the different plots."
The Mission Rock masterplan is part of the city's goal to help revitalize the area by tying together public space with the surrounding buildings from the ground floor. The 28-acre lot "is part of a public-private partnership established by the San Francisco Giants, Tishman Speyer, and the Port of San Francisco with the aim to develop a mixed-use waterfront neighborhood near Oracle Park."
Founding partner Nathalie de Vries shares, "In our own design we were able to incorporate several ideas that are key to MVRDV, such as mixing functions, creating a diverse collection of apartments, and adding many lively, green outdoor spaces. The project is also significant due to the innovative collaborative design process we shared with our colleagues at Studio Gang, Henning Larsen, and WORKac.”
12 Comments
Nice, this is actually a quite tastefully restrained version of the "parametric blocks" typology.
When the European firms need a quick cash influx, there are always NY and SF developers willing to pay for the second rate scraps. They must all get together and have a good laugh at the dumb Americans.
Quite sad actually that the European second rate scraps are still better than what the Americans are able to serve up...
That is very sad. Put the blame on the AIA corporate structure, am sure there are plenty of firms out there that could do better but never are asked.
Kind of uneasy visual references, given the city's history.
i thought so too but in a lighthearted geologic reference to fault lines. it's cute and generally fits the atmosphere of the site.
^ I agree, actually. It looks like a decent project from what we can see-- though the wisdom of more towers in that town seems suspect to me. I was just kind of struck by the (probably unintended) symbolism.
Don't think that symbolism was intended, the project could be anywhere in Northern/Western Europe, but you never know...(like with their Cloud Twin Towers in Seoul)
my thought was it looks like it's already "shook" lol
Visually I like the massing. Up close I'm not so sure. The canyon idea sounded cool until I saw the render. The patios have little to no weather/sun protection and feel way too exposed for something that looks onto a pedestrian route.
Also the brick is taking on an early 1980s shopping centre vibe.
they did a google image search for 'san francisco' and there you go...as a foreign office they probably reference golden gate bridge with their choice of red brick :)
I think the designers happened upon Levi's Plaza during their one day visit to the city. They probably weren't born yet when HOK did this in 1979-1981.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.