Marine Electric Building

San Francisco, CA

Client - Swinerton Builders

Murphy Burr Curry, Inc. provided design and engineering services for the renovation and seismic retrofit of the Maine Electric Building, a historic, 8,000-square-foot brick structure in downtown San Francisco. This 2001 project involved upgrading the building to the standards of an essential facility, requiring an Importance Factor of 1.25.

MBC's design preserved the richness and warmth of the existing brick walls, while adding dramatic curving forms to divide the interior space into sizable classrooms on the upper floors and roof. The innovative rooftop playground resembles a small village, featuring a compact climbing structure and a covered eating/play area with a soaring "butterfly" roof. Other features include a wooden boat and playhouse, a circular sandbox evoking the solar system and child-friendly planters. A popular restaurant is situated in the building's lower floors.