The General Services Administration (GSA) is building a $141-million Class A federal building in San Francisco. Designed by Morphosis of Santa Monica, Calif., the 600,000-sf project is comprised of a hybrid two-building set, an 18-story glass tower connected via a 3,000-sf plaza-level cafeteria to an adjacent four-story, 100,000-sf building. The tower is 65 feet wide, allowing natural light to enter on both sides, and features a stainless steel screen that acts as a natural circulation engine on the building's south side. Floor-level vents in the wall-free offices allow unimpeded airflow; building temperatures are monitored by a high technology building management system. The ventilation system was tested and partially engineered by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.
The sustainable design features added 5% to the building's cost but will lead to energy efficiency savings over time. 70% of the tower does not have conventional HVAC systems, resulting in a savings of $11 million. A three-story sky garden open to the public will be housed on the 11th to 13th floors. The 240-foot tall tower exceeds city building codes, as federal projects are not subject to city regulations. The adjacent four-story building has conventional systems and enclosed offices.
Consolidating federal workers currently dispersed in five leased buildings, the new development will house 1,700 employees from the Department of State, Social Services, Labor, and Agriculture. Construction is slated to begin in January 2003 upon completion of site excavation and lead remediation. Occupancy is expected in late 2005.
