350 Mission Street Adaptable and Energy-Efficient ‘Urban Living Room’

350 Mission Street is a commercial tower located in South of Market district of San Francisco. This 340,000 sq. ft. building includes 30 storeys of Class-A office space which is leased entirely to the technology company, Salesforce. WSP provided services for the core and shell, and the fit-out for Salesforce.

Location

San Francisco, California, USA

Client

Tencent Corporation

Project Status

Completed in 2015

Architect

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP (base building) Gensler and Mark Cavagnero Associates (Tenant Fit-out)

Adaptable and Energy-Efficient ‘Urban Living Room’

The lobby of the tower is fully transparent and opens up to the street. With a giant LED screen displaying digital art, it invites people into the building and creates a connection between Salesforce and the community. This communal area can also be used for pop-up events. Its openness refers to the idea of an ‘urban living room’ and reinforces the concept that informal collaboration leads to an increase in productivity and innovation.

We were commissioned for the fit-out design of the office space and the lobby. Flexibility being a key objective for our client, we needed to ensure the building could adapt to future needs. Integrating underfloor systems helped to maximise floor space and large glazed windows allow daylight into the building, as well as clear views to the outside, making this workplace as comfortable as possible for its occupants. To improve thermal comfort, occupants can control temperature at their work stations and adjust the amount of air they receive. To encourage active participation in the sustainability program, bicycle storage and electrical car charging stations are available.

With the aim of reducing the energy consumption of HVAC systems, we installed an underfloor air delivery system, utilising less energy than a conventional one and maximising occupant comfort. Across each floor, sensors are placed to control various systems, which optimise the energy usage based on occupancy. This includes lighting systems, power outlets and HVAC, equating to a 20% reduction in energy usage. 100% fresh air is supplied within the building, further reducing energy consumption by minimising air conditioning. We designed storm water harvesting and grey water recycling systems for all non-potable uses, resulting in 30% water savings. These sustainability initiatives contributed to the building achieving a LEED Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.