Arch2O.com

Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine
The Bay Area Metro Center at 375 Beale Street involved the transformation of a massive, 1940s-era military warehouse into a transparent, welcoming space to co-locate under one roof four Bay Area government agencies, with intersecting and complimentary missions. The building is designed to foster interagency collaboration and allow the public a better understanding of each agencies? role.
Courtesy of Perkins+Will – Photographs : Blake Marvin, David Wakely
The eight-story concrete building was converted into state-of-the-art offices, community hearing spaces, a board room, and ground floor retail. The building?s 10?-4? high ceilings and 60,000 square foot floor plates created a dark utilitarian interior which needed to be addressed. As part of a required seismic retrofit, shear walls were introduced at all perimeter walls to reinforce the structure without compromising the opportunity for open offices. Courtesy of Perkins+Will – Photographs : Blake Marvin, David Wakely
Addressing both seismic and daylighting issues, a seven-story atrium was carved out the of the center of the building, both reducing the structural mass of the building and bringing much needed daylight to the building?s interior, decreasing energy use while creating a welcoming atmosphere. The atrium and interconnecting stairs also provide the opportunity for informal encounters between the various agency employees.
Courtesy of Perkins+Wil...