The Bay Area Metro Center is San Francisco’s newest public building. This repurposed 1940’s Navy warehouse brings together four of the Bay Area’s most progressive government agencies. The new joint headquarters houses the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Association of Bay Area Governments and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. The co-location of complementary agencies has improved collaboration and improves efficiency by sharing resources and space. The joint headquarters responds to a state mandate, SB 375, requiring California’s urban areas to take action to promote sustainable travel and growth patterns and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable design is the foundation of the transformation, and adaptive reuse of existing infrastructure was a powerful opportunity to conserve resources and maintain high-quality urban fabric. An important civic asset in the rapidly changing Rincon Hill and Transbay neighborhoods, the building is high density and transit-connected, providing significant environmental benefit by avoiding material and ecological costs that come with creating new buildings, infrastructure and hardscape.
The Metro Center connects to a robust pedestrian, cycling and transit network, providing access to new retail amenities and by integrating into the surrounding community. Large, indoor bicycle storage and shower facilities are provided on-site; the building reconnects Main Street to Beale, by extending a large pedestrian pathway, integrated with outdoor space along the north side of the building.
Building systems maximize passive opportunities and optimize active systems. Daylight is supplied from the central atrium, and tenant spaces are organized to access to exterior windows. Demand is further reduced with LED lighting, task lights, daylight controls and occupancy sensors. New condensing boilers, upgraded chillers and refurbished air handling units contribute to energy savings in addition to a 73kW capacity solar hot water system to meet approximately 60 percent of the domestic hot water demand. Overall energy use is reduced by approximately 34 percent compared to baseline code requirements. Potable water use is reduced by approximately 35 percent by installing efficient fixtures.
Materials were screened for their impact on human and ecological health and finishes were selected with no or low emissions. Reclaimed wood for the central stair and guardrails was sourced from the former Transbay terminal building, and new timber was purchased with FSC certification.
Finally, tenant improvement guidelines ensure new fit-ups and renovations align with the performance goals of the project.