355 11th Street: The Matarozzi/Pelsinger Building

San Francisco, USA

Photo © Matthew Millman

Photo © Richard Barnes

Picture © Aidlin Darling Design

Photo © Aidlin Darling Design

Picture © Aidlin Darling Design

Architects: aidlin darling design

Location: 355 11th Street, 94103 San Francisco, USA
Year: 2008

355 11th Street is a LEED Gold adaptive reuse of a Historic (and previously derelict) turn-of-the-century warehouse. A collection of metal and glass apertures, sensitively inserted into the original structural frame, provide the requisite functions of entry, exit, light and view. On the east and west facades, the new metal skin is perforated with fields of small holes that allow light and air to pass through new operable windows hidden beyond. This skin mitigates solar heat gain while enabling cross-ventilation of the interior. The original fenestration of the building’s north façade was preserved and refurbished. The existing timber and concrete frame was carefully sandblasted to reveal the warmth and texture of the original materials. As day turns to evening, the perforations in building’s new skin gradually reveal the historic character of the timber frame within.