People strolling along Golden Gate Avenue near the Civic Plaza will be witnesses to the birth of the most sustainable urban office building in the United States. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Building, designed by KMD architects, has a number of energy efficient elements including solar panels and a built-in wind turbine. For more information, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy2gp312hjY
I decided to document this historic event by taking these pictures of the construction process. As I stood there watching the workers hoist wood and hammer in beams, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for this structure. Will it be around for 100 years, or will it be declared tacky in 30 years and destined for the demolition ball? Will it be published in books as an example of cutting edge design, or will it be the laughing stock of the city and dubbed the ugly duckling? Will anything noteworthy ever happen in this building? As I sat there and pondered its future, I also couldn't help but wonder how it will die. What will be the last thing that will be housed in this building before it's declared obsolete and destroyed in order to make room for something newer and more exciting?
If you find yourself in the area, it's worth a detour to watch this colossal building reach for the sky.
A sketch of the finished product
Cheers,
Mike
