Columbia Park

Located in San Francisco’s South of Market district, Columbia Park integrates affordable family housing into a varied commercial and light industrial neighborhood. The building responds to the surrounding typologies—both Folsom Street’s commercial establishments, as well as those of the neighboring narrow alleys scattered with light industrial workshops and warehouses. 

This four story building maintains an urban edge along Folsom Street while reducing in mass toward the main entry on Columbia Street. Ground floor offices have entries on Folsom Street, while the residential gate on Columbia Street is buffered from the traffic by a forecourt. The materials used—concrete, wood and galvanized steel—are a sampling of materials and textures found in surrounding structures.

A central courtyard serves as the main organizational element. Opening to the west, it provides a shared garden and play space. Stepping up to the second floor level, the courtyard connects the circulation loop and provides a protected environment for the adults and children to meet and play. The landscape elements include planters, trellises, tile mosaics and sculptural colored concrete seating areas. The resident entrances faces a park and playground across a shady alley.