Columbia Park Affordable Housing, Apartments, Baker Vilar Architects
San Francisco, California

Located in San Francisco's South of Market district, Columbia Square integrates affordable family housing into a varied commercial and light industrial neighborhood. Columbia Square responds to the surrounding building 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 Square. Ground floor offices have entries on Folsom Street, while the residential gate on Columbia Square 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.

awards

Design Matters: Best Practices in Affordable Housing
University of Illinois, City Design Center
Design Matters: Best Practices in Affordable Housing
University of Illinois at Chicago
Honor Award: Best of the Bay and Beyond
San Francisco Chapter, American Institute of Architects

project details

Nonprofit Housing Developer

Mercy Charities Housing

Architect

David Baker + Partners

Associate Architect

Baker Vilar Architects

Landscape Architect

Delaney + Cochran

Structural Engineer

Dominic Chu

General Contractor

Cahill Contractors

Photographer

David Wakeley

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www.dbarchitect.com/ColumbiaSquare