Mission Bay Block 27 Parking Structure by WRNS Studio

WRNS Studio designed this award winning parking structure in San Francisco, California.

Located within San Francisco’s Mission Bay redevelopment zone, this new award winning parking structure serves adjacent laboratories and offices. Overaa hired WRNS Studio and Walker Parking as the lead design team. The garage was constructed as part of a biotech development, which included coordinating with other project teams on the surrounding parcels. The project was also constructed concurrently with new street and site facility infrastructure in Mission Bay.

The project scope included architectural features of customized perforated metal panels, smooth plaster, glass tile, and cast glazing. The cast-in-place structure included 592 driven piles, 3 MRL elevators, a parking access control system, and security system.

The north and east facades, which face public open space, are clad in perforated aluminum panels with pixilated imagery of California’s redwood forests. This imagery is intended to evoke the filigree of adjacent tree canopies and create a sense of pedestrian scale. The south elevation, which faces a heavily trafficked street, incorporates a deeply canted plaster wall designed to engage sunlight and shadow, creating interest across the facade. The ground level is recessed along the south and east elevations, offering a covered pedestrian walkway.

This feature also lightens the overall building mass as the aluminum panels and the plaster wall appear to hover above the ground. The primary pedestrian access point is located at the building’s northeast corner, with the upper levels clad with a canted plaster box similar to the south facing facade. The intent of this element is to provide an “urban pause”, allowing people to take in views of the surrounding parks. It also offers a figurative presence as seen from the public open spaces.