San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

Owner: City & County of S.F.
Architect: KMD Architects
Engineer: SOHA
Seismic Consultant:
Tipping Mar
Sustainable Civic Office Building
13 stories above grade, 1 below
Concrete structure
277,000 sq ft
Seeking LEED Platinum

Photo-realistic rendering courtesy

of KMD Architects

The new administration building for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will consist of a 13-story, 277,000 sq ft office tower with one subterranean level. The new structure will strive to be one of the most energy efficient buildings in the United States, and will pursue an elite LEED Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES:

Exterior wrapped in double-glazed, high-performance curtain wall. interior and exterior shading devices light shelves for daylight harvestingHeat Island reduction via light colored roofing & site materials  

Concrete Structure eliminates the sunlight-blocking beams
- underside of floor slabs tapered to bounce sun's rays into largely open floors
- "rocking mechanism" allows earthquake resilience optimizing sustainability
- Carbon emission of concrete cut in half by use of recycled materials 

Renewable Energy through 200 kW roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) array
- External wind turbines generating wind power energy 

“Living Machine” in the lobby acting as onsite blackwater treatment system
- Over 50% reduction of potable water use for wastewater purposes thanks to the living machine
- Over 40% reduction of indoor potable water use for daily uses
- 100% reduction in potable water use for landscaping through Storm water harvesting

Energy Efficiency through photo cells controlling indirect lighting
- Structure’s mass acts like a thermal battery storing heat
- Raised access floor distributing conditioned air and purging heat
- Increased ventilation levels of outside air by over 30%