Greener Than Thou is our report on San Francisco’s obsession with all things green, giving credit where credit is due and calling bullshit when the need arises. Feeling morally superior on the green front? Testify!
Witness a Greener Than Thou canonization: Dwell travels travels Chicago to take a first look at the new project from Oakland-based architect Michelle Kaufmann, the mkSolaire. Built on grounds the Museum of Science and Industry, the Solaire is the newest sustainable (even on a rainy day, it was producing more power than it uses), and contemporary (the pics say it all) modular home design by Michelle Kaufmann Designs. This one has been designed for a unique purpose — to offer "healthy living" in the city. The developer-friendly design account for the typical disadvantages of the urban lot — namely the limited access to light and air— and a typical house can completed in 14 months. Cost: between $200 and $250 per square foot. The prototype Solaire will be on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry until January 4th. Halo: firmly affixed.
· First Look: mkSolaire [Dwell Blog]
· Greener Than Thou: MK Designs Slaps Nutrition Labels on Prefabs [Curbed SF]
· Green Goddess: Introducing the mkLoft [Curbed SF]
To be filed under "money can't buy taste," cross-referenced with "Someone is actually building this ?!?" The Ambani residence has the dubious honor of being the world's first billion-dollar home, and it's owner, Mukesh Ambani, has the dubious honor of being the 5th richest man in the world with a net worth valued at $43M$43B. When you have that much money, good reason and taste clearly aren't things you need too worry about. In fact, you can probably pay someone to suffer the consequences of your actions. The culprits behind the design are architects Perkins + Will and Hirsch Bedner Associates. Schedule for completion in January, the downtown Mumbai, 2 billion dollar ($2,000,000,000), single-family home will climb up 27 stories. See Ambani's very unfortunate plan, after the jump. (And please see the photo gallery for the full rendering— it takes up more vertical space than we can spare, obviously.)
Last week, the San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects celebrated and awarded themselves with a gin-fueled soirée in SoMa. It's no surprise that Morphosis' Fed Building won an Honor Award as a "slender eighteen-story tower punctuating the San Francisco skyline" with a "democratic layout (that) rejects the corner office." Congrats, but whatevs— we all knew that one was coming. Let's move on to some of the other notable winners:
1) Designed by Brand + Allen Architects, 185 Post Street won not only an Honor Award, but also a spot at the top of today's re-cap by Chron architecture critic John King. While the judges kept it cool with the archi-speak— excerpt: "texture and history of the existing façade provide visual depth and detail that enriches the character of the glass skin"— King got a little hot and bothered, describing the building as "a skin-tight, see-through blouse." Eyebrows: raised, with much amusement.
2)The evening might as well been re-dubbed the Stanley Saitowitz / Natoma Architects Awards Ceremony, as the firm took home 5 total awards, including a Merit Award for 1234 Howard Street and an Honor Award for the restaurant, Conduit.
Designed by flamboyant architect Henry Hill, 2245 9th Avenue offers a mid-century alternative to the deluge of Victorians and SoMa lofts that flood the MLS endlessly. The kitchen has seen an update since then, and although some might elect to replace its more, shall we say, unique finishes, we find those idiosyncrasies quite charming. Other notable features include a pull-down screen in the family room and— get this— a redwood-paneled atrium with a retractable sunroof. 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths, $1,395,000 asking.
· 2245 9th Ave [MLS]
A half pipe for skateboarders? Rather, the giant masonry bowl at 19th Avenue and Clement Street is starchitect Stanley Saitowitz's latest project, a 15,000 square foot temple, Congregation Beth Sholom. Formed entirely of poured concrete, the bowl provides the sanctuary for Beth Sholom's 700 worshipers; the adjacent glass box will house the library, board room, lounge, meeting, and yoga/ meditation rooms. Taking a cue from Libeskind's Contemporary Jewish Museum, Saitowitz has negotiated with Jewish law's prohibition against the use of iconography by employing windows and natural light as a means of decoration— for instance, a "shadow menorah" cast from six supporting roof beams splays across one wall, changing throughout the day as the sun moves. And here we thought he'd outdone himself with the pipes at Conduit.
· A bowl soars in the Richmond [SF Examiner]
Join us for Architecture Watch, wherein Curbed SF steps out into the wide, blue yonder, collecting the best, worst, and wonkiest of projects. Nominate!
With its small area, lack of parking, and hilly terrain, getting around on a motorcycle or motor scooter just make sense in San Francisco — and a lot of people do so. So maybe a project like Tokyo's NE Apartments would make sense in our fair city? Architects Yuji Nakae, Akiyoshi Takagi, and Hirofumi Ohno have designed the apartments to accommodate the modern motorbike maniac (envision the iconic SF hipster, hogging the bike lane on a restored 1968 Vespa, Marc Jacobs bag flying in the wind). Each unit includes a small garage, designed around a central courtyard that gives residents room to turn their bikes around or a space to work on them outside. The reinforced concrete structure has been designed as a natural extension of the road, wrapping itself around the alley it sits on and creating a clear path leading residents into their private units. Design for a specific subculture— what a novel concept.
· NE apartment by Yuji Nakae, Akiyoshi Takagi and Hirofumi Ohno [dezeen]
What price can you put on a dream? If that dream is construction-ready and comes with a little bit of land that happens to be in Pac Heights, well then you can price it at $875,000. The proposal, an awkward mix of contemporary design and yawn-inducing traditional SF architecture has already been approved by the city and foundation work has been started. Hmmm. Sounds like someone had to make a hasty exit. Previously, we looked at a similar offer in a less desirable location (or perhaps more, depending on what you're looking for— nudge, wink) and compared to that alleged former crack house, 1847 Scott Street is a steal at under a million.
· 1847 Scott St [MLS]
· Mission Work-in-Progress: 576 Shotwell Street [Curbed SF]
Join us for Architecture Watch, wherein Curbed SF steps out into the blue yonder, collecting the best, worst, and wonkiest of projects. Nominate!
Did anyone else catch the 70mm screening of Hitchcock's Vertigo at the Castro Theater last weekend? Milanese architects AquiliAlberg began working on Twist House in 1999 and are currently adapting the design for a private client. Part of the team's "new dynamic domestic language" the Twist House is a two-story residence that "slots into a loft" in an existing building. We've deduced the following about Twist House's owners: 1) They do not own art, photographs, mirrors, or on-wall apparatuses of any kind. 2) They do not suffer from fainting spells, seizures, or any other vertigo-inducing illnesses. 3) They most likely possess a meticulously-curated collection of sex toys, women's razors, Corvettes, or other objects of a curvilinear nature. 4) They may or may not believe in UFOs, black holes, and fourth dimensions.
· Twist House by AquiliAlberg [Dezeen]
After last year's outcry from Chinatown/North Beach NIMBY's—and by "outcry," we mean lawsuit, of course— City College of San Francisco had to go back to the drawing board with their new 14-story campus. The complaints were so typical, we feel like we're reading and writing the same stories day in and day out: too tall, too ugly, and no community involvement (a.k.a. the Rincon Hill Effect. Today, architects EHDD and Barcelon + Jang look to rectify those issues with a revised design, created in an attempt to quell complaints and court cases alike. The new campus will be unveiled at a community meeting this afternoon, where homeowners will surely be chomping at the bit to see if their 12-point list of demands (a 12-step program for the nabe!) has been met. So it's another case of architecture by committee— no chance for failure there, right? See the World Trade Center for example— Oh...nevermind.
· Campus plans arise amid lawsuit talks [Examiner]
· Lawyer Up! City College Campus Opposed [Curbed SF]
[Rendering courtesy EHDD|Barcelon & Jang Architects/Square One Productions and SF Gate]
What started out as a tricky Pricespotter this week quickly grew, shall we say, anticlimactic. 299 5th Street quickly popped up around the blogosphere, predictably so given its contemporary "architectural significance." Readers kept their game face on nevertheless— Curbed reader Cake or Death won out with the closest guess of $2.25 million. Well done, Cake.
UPDATE—: That's a good question, Cake. Our champ inquires: "[Would] most Curbed readers think this is under or OVER priced? $2.15 million doesn't buy what it used to, in SF... So compared to what else is out there, is this a value?"
If you've got $3.6 million dollars burning a hole in your pocket (and who doesn't these days?) and 4 kids tired of sharing rooms, you might want to take a look at 3647 Washington Street. Built in 1903, the 5 bedroom/4.5 bath shingled home was designed by architect Ernest Coxhead, whose style has been derided as "insane" and "fairy magic", perhaps do due to his tendency to to mix historical styles— the results seem at times strikingly contemporary (see the larger stair landing-cum- library, built-in cabinetry, and walk-out garden). How Postmodern— before there was a modern to be post!
· 3647 Washington St [MLS]
3647 Washington Street
$3,595,000 asking Note: Sophomoric "Coxhead" jokes will not be tolerated.
Concrete walls are beginning to rise up from the sea of rebar covering Mission Walk at 330— 335 Berry Street, a soon-to-be dev of 131 so-called affordable housing units (and a whole cache of new buddies for the commuting dot-comers and scientists in the nabe. Down with homogeneity, people.). The buildings are designed by San Francisco architects Leddy Maytum Stacy; Just yards away from Mission Creek, each is centered around a landscaped central courtyard. Creek side units will feature sweeping views of all Mission Bay construction projects, natch. To the gallery!
In Architecture Watch, Curbed SF expands its world view to new structures across the globe. Projects of note should be directed accordingly.
We think it's safe to say that all of San Francisco— nay, all the country— is eagerly anticipating the opening of the Renzo Piano-designed California Academy of Sciences. Though Piano's work is universally acclaimed for the most part, his new project in London, Central Saint Giles, misses the mark — at least judging by these renderings. Due for completion in 2009, the new 500,000 square foot mixed-use development consists of three 12-story buildings. Clad in individually colored ceramic and glass facades, the buildings definitely make a statement, although perhaps a bit garishly. Of the color, Piano says, "...by adding levitated, articulated and colorful buildings, (Central Saint Giles) physically expresses the people-focused and socially responsible credentials of modern corporate tenants." Of the color, Curbed SF says, "Whatevs Renz, it's totes ugs" (Because that's how we really do speak— it's not just a blog thing, you know.) Lesson learned, SF — the InterContinental really could be worse.
· Renzo Piano unveils new plans for London [World Architecture News]
· Invasion!: Science Squad Storms CA Academy of Sciences [Curbed SF]
We last checked in on this South Park micro-development last January, and things seem to be trudging forward on the commercial/residential mixed-use buildings. Without the scaffolding and protective films, these contemporary structures are looking a little cold in context with the rest of the area, though we'll hold any further judgment until the big reveal. While we're waiting on the unveiling of what will surely be the star of this building cluster, Ogrydziak/Prillinger Architects's Gallery House (the one covered in black mesh), let's indulge a favorite Curbed hobby — trying to make sense of archi-babble. Courtesy of the OPA website:
The gallery addresses the street through a condensation wall, a vitrine that distends and articulates the physicality of the liminal condition. Above, taxonomy studies exhausted potential code interpretations for a protective shroud that optimizes privacy and transparency on the domestic floors. A scaffold-like structure supports a semi-transparent screen and projects away from the primary glass curtain wall as an parametric illustration of the Planning Code constraints that trigger the typical San Francisco bay window.
So... A glass wall behind some fancy blinds, whose form has been dictated by building codes. Architects, we kid because we love.
· Development Watch: Small Spot on South Park [Curbed SF]
Curbed SF commenters have called it a "casino," "the largest eyesore to hit the San Francisco skyline in 20 years," one of the ugliest buildings in SF," and "a cheap art-deco imitation with ... ill proportioned flying fins." Finally, our all-time favorite: "someone f'ed up big time." We're talking about the new InterContinental Hotel, of course. Just when it seemed like the city could agree on something, Chron architecture critic John King comes along and calls it a "streamlined tower that radiates assurance." Hmm. Maybe its just us, but that sounds akin to insisting that someone has a great personality as a thinly-veiled cover for the truth— that they're ass ugly. We're all for buildings that don't "fit in" with SF's blasé architectural climate, but even when there are no contextual standards, there has to be some basic aesthetic standards, right? King even admits as much, but defends The InterContinental with a weak "it could be a lot worse." Actually...could it really be that much worse than a bad Postmodern Faux-deco highrise on the fringes of a low-rise, semi-shady part of town? Readers, anyone want to come to the defense of this execrated edifice or shall we all just carry on with the flogging?
· New, blue kid on block: the Intercontinental [SF Gate]
· Curbed Inside: The InterContinental [Curbed SF]
· Rendering/Reality: The InterContinental Opens, Grandly [Curbed SF]
Back-to-back Libeskind action! So here they are, the plans for San Francisco's new Contemporary Jewish Museum designed by globetrotting architect Daniel Libeskind. Surprisingly reserved for Libeskind, but what the plans don't really communicate is the fact that there is only one single vertically straight wall in the entire building. Located in the first floor (lower image), this wall was DL's concession to the CJM staff. Almost everywhere else in the building, he's up to his usual spatially disorienting, curator-reviled trickery, albeit tempered in certain areas by the existing brick building. On the second floor, the larger main gallery highlights the intersection with the new building and the repurposed power station, and yes, while the walls are slightly askew, they're nothing like those in Libeskind's Berlin or Denver museums — buildings that make many less concessions.
· Curbed Inside Update: The Contemporary Jewish Museum Full Reveal [Curbed Inside}
· Curbed Inside: Contemporary Jewish Museum [Curbed SF]
· CurbedWire: Contemporary Jewish Museum Opening Revealed [Curbed SF]
In Curbed Inside, we take a peek at the latest developments, whether architectural or residential. Project on tap? Harness the power of viral marketing, and drop a line.
Perhaps all of this Obamarama "hope" rhetoric has colored our general disposition as of late, but we must say that our preview of the Libeskind-designed Contemporary Jewish Museum left us with just that— a distinct feeling of hope. Daniel Libeskind's buildings never fail to stir conversation—and even controversy—as his concept-heavy designs don't always translate smoothly into "civilian" life (the architect's perpetual challenge, no doubt). Libeskind was commissioned to design the new Contemporary Jewish Museum, an adaptive reuse of the Jessie Street PG&E Power Substation, after realizing the Denver Art Museum, his first project to be built in the United States. In traversing the new space— especially the main gallery on the second floor— we felt like Libeskind took more than a few notes from his experience with the DAM; the building was heavily criticized as being physically unconducive to hanging art work (not difficult to imagine given his propensity for angles of the anything-but-90-degree variety). Major problem, no? Here in San Francisco, however, we found a different story.
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Taking a cue from 
What started out as a tricky Pricespotter this week quickly grew, shall we say, anticlimactic. 299 5th Street quickly 
Curbed SF commenters have called it a "casino," "
Though his grand (and grandiose) scheme for the World Trade Center hasn't panned out as initially planned, Libeskind has nevertheless flipped his "brand" into a series of global, high-profile projects. Praising his efforts in Berlin as a risky venture ("emotionally charged architecture usually fails") Bloomberg asks: 
