The Foundry Square, a four-part mixed-use complex in San Francisco's South of Market (SoMa) district, is currently in its final phase with the construction of Foundry III, which developer Tishman Speyer purchased in 2012. The target LEED Gold building will have 265,000 square feet of office space and 10,000 square feet for retail. Foundry III will be San Francisco's first new ground-up office building since pre-recession in 2007.

STUDIOS Architecture and SWA Group began designing the quadratic complex for the City of San Francisco/Wilson Equity Office over a decade ago--with the buildings numbered out of sequence as they were constructed one by one. The client's goal for the complex was to create an "active people-place" while providing ample office and retail space. Current tenants in the square include Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, BlackRock Inc., and Gymboree headquarters.

As its name states, each 10-story low-rise structure of the 1.25 million sq.foot complex occupies the corners of the busy First and Howard street intersection to form a square. The buildings feature open corner public spaces that collectively form a singular central larger plaza that embraces pedestrian and vehicle traffic in and around the intersection.

The open corner plazas allow room for tree bosques, ground-floor cafes, oversized pots, and integration of public art--as required by the City of San Francisco. Additionally, the city of San Francisco selected a program of permanent art installations at each parcel.

The dual-glaze tech-wall exterior provides climate control and an arcade at the transition from interior to exterior space, while its tealish color unifies the square and contrasts it from neighboring structures. 

Taking advantage of its proximity to the Bay Bridge, Foundry Square will function as a smartly framed entrance to the bridge. The quad, situated on the bustling intersection, also provides easy access to the light rail transit, the central business district and the waterfront.

Completion of Foundry III is expected in early 2014. For now, you can check out the live construction feed.
For more images, you can visit STUDIOS Architecture or SWA