surrounding san francisco vertical
studio
coastal pleat
fall
semester portfolio
2 010
PROJECT ABSTRACT: ‘Coastal Pleat’ represents a new look at the existing urban waterfront of San Francisco. What was an underutilized, forgotten stretch of land is ‘pleated’, stretched and transformed into a new urban condition. Instead of a straight waterfront, the boundary between the water and land is pulled allowing new meetings and uses from both sides. New pier structures are plugged into this new activated coastline serving as localized communities bringing density, activity, business and culture to this remnant neighborhood of San Francisco. From corporate campuses to new creative-startup incubators, these new pier structures act as a destination, attracting people down to the water and amenities found there. The project seeks to work within the boundaries of what San Francisco is: bringing density, culture and people back into the neighborhood around the unused Port of San Francisco. Existing building typologies, such as the Victorian-style row-house and open frame pier structures, are repurposed and brought back into the design in updated styles. ‘Coastal Pleat’ also seeks to envision the future of San Francisco, preparing the city for future rising water levels. The new pier structures plugged into the coast line are designed to function even when water has risen to cut them off from the mainland. They anticipate a future maritime-based society where they become new communities out in the water; emerging jewels in the San Francisco Bay.