Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects Inc

PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero

PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes

PG&E EMBARCADERO & POTRERO

Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Richard Barnes

CLIENTS
PG&E

LANDSCAPE
Rana Creek Living Architecture

LOCATION
San Francisco, United States

MANUFACTURERS
AutoDesk, Basalite, Winona Lighting, Rana, Structure Cast

AREA
15700 ft²

CATEGORY
Square, Renovation

YEAR
2020

ENGINEERING
WRK Engineers, Capital Engineering Inc, Cupertino Electrical Inc, Telamon Engineering

Text description provided by architect.

PG&E Substations at Embarcadero and Potrero. PG&E’s earlier tradition of memorable urban substations which contribute to the fabric of the city is being revived.

PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes

Two new buildings, one at Embarcadero and one at Potrero, have this goal. Both augment the existing substations they are adjacent to.

PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes

They are set back 30’ from the sidewalk to create public plazas. Their facades unfold onto the plazas and invite habitation.

PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes

The new substations are compact compared to earlier buildings, with 30’ height. These 30’ tall and 30’ wide public surfaces are elaborated with a series of 4’ wide concrete bands added to the facades.

These bands are composed of five different profiles which combine to form 20 derivations which elaborate the vertical surfaces and continue onto the ground plane to become furniture.

PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes

At the Embarcadero, in the midst of tall vertical structures, the bands are arrayed vertically; at the Potrero site, close to the bay and more linear forms, the bands are arrayed horizontally.

These bands continue onto the ground plane to become projecting surfaces on the plazas, extruding as seating and pedestals to encourage occupation. Interspersed among these linear habitable elements are trees for shade. Roof awnings mark the street edges.

PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes

These plazas are free spaces for use by the public. Recessed between the rippling concrete bands, led lights illuminate the walls and ground planes.

The color of this lighting can vary with the seasons and be used for events and celebrations. At the Embarcadero site, led lighting is added to the existing substation building to connect with the new plaza/façade.

Creating these urban plaza/facades is a way for PG&E’s substations which already provide vital services to the city, to also give back to the communities they are located in.

PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes


PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
© Richard Barnes


PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Plan - Site
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Plan - Site


PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Detail
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Diagram


PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Elevation
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Elevation


PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Elevation
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Elevation
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Section
PG&E Embarcadero & Potrero
Section

Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects Inc
T +1 415 6268977 F +1 415 7017900
Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects Inc
1022 Natoma St UNIT 3, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States