8th & Howard/SOMA Studios

The corner of 8th and Howard Streets: This building integrates two developments—SOMA Studios and 8th & Howard Family Housing—on one urban site. 

Textured plaster, color blocking, aluminum bays, and creative fenestration make up a geometric mural along 8th Street. 

The ground level features extensive retail space along both 8th and Howard Streets. 

Harvest Urban Market fills the ground level retail space along 8th Street between Howard Street and Natoma.

The Howard Street elevation features neighborhood-serving commercial space and the main residential entry for both developments. 

The Howard Street residential entrance—with SOMA Studios to the left and 8th& Howard Family Housing to the right— is set off by a custom steel-and-glass gate.

Set off by a custom steel-and-glass gate, the shared garden entry offers a moment of decompression from the busy urban neighborhood.

DBA and South Park Fabricators collaborated on the design of the custom entry gate and fountain.

Detail of the custom weathering-steel gate. 

The shared entry garden courtyard.

Curved bay at entry.

Curved bay at entry.

The podium courtyard provides a safe play area and event space for SOMA Studios residents.

Studio courtyard with cast concrete tables and stools. 

The curved volume—the “ear”—encloses the family housing’s community room. 

Daycare from above.

Kids at play at the on-site daycare center

Podium courtyard.

The “ear” fronts the studio courtyard and encloses the community room. 

Bike tour participants checking out the SOMA Studios podium courtyard.

Night view of the stacked glass corridors between private courtyards.

Glassy building circulation, including the entry into the semi-private residential courtyard at the family housing. 

The courtyard provides residents with plenty of open space and balconies.

Family courtyard on the apartment side of the complex.

Balconies and planters provide semi-private outdoor spaces.

Drop-off and pick-up area for the child-care center, tucked away on the quieter Natoma Street.

View from Sumner Alley toward the Howard Street elevation.

Bike tour stop: A cycling group gathers at the Howard Street residential entrance, demarcated by the curved bay and interior palm court. 

The entry to Harvest Urban Market is set off with prominent signage at the corner of 8th and Howard Streets.

The retail edge along 8th Street, enlivened by high ceilings, multiple entries, broad windows, and bright signage. 

This large-scale organic market is a rare find in the dense SOMA neighborhood.

The organic market on the ground floor of 8th & Howard provides a bright spot to shop or sit.

Howard Street elevation.

Retail windows and modern awning along Howard Street.

Awning detail.

Inside view of the glass corridors at 8th & Howard Family Housing.

Community areas throughout provide casual spaces for easy interaction.

Double-height residential lobby at SOMA Studios. 

Double-height community space at 8th & Howard Family Housing.

Ground level plan.

Podium level plan.

Elevation sketch showing the full 8th Street color-block mural.