Wedge Park Utility Building

Architect: Dilworth-Eliot Studio

Location: Wedge Park, Candlestick Point, San Francisco, CA

Client:      Fivepoint

Area:       700 sq ft

Status:     In progress 

Project architect, Concept, SD & DD, including client process and presentations, consultant coordination, and construction details development.

The Utility Building is part of a Park Buildings continuum, starting from the urban Wedge Plaza and continuing into the more natural environment of Wedge Park. The three Park Buildings develop from the refined, urban Cafe in Wedge Plaza, through the more industrial Utility building with it’s architectural mesh cladding in Wedge Park 2a, to the exposed concrete Restroom building/landform in Wedge Park 2B. The Park Buildings are connected by their sculptural forms, which continue the lines of the landscape landforms, as well as by their cladding materials. However, each has its own identity as influenced by its context within the urban to natural spectrum.

The Wedge Park Utility Building is situated on the West edge of Wedge Park 2A, along West Harney Way. Pedestrian paths run next to the building, both on the park and street side. A bike lane and bus shelter zone are also located parallel to the pedestrian path on the street side. The building's location near the circulation zones is driven both by functional requirements, as well as the desire to connect it to its context.

The Utility Building includes a MUNI drivers restroom and storage space, a Control Room for the Wedge Park Pump Stations and a Generator Yard. The building usage is restricted to City and MUNI personnel. However, the design attempts to overcome the functional disconnection between the building and its public park location:

The Utility Building is shaped by its natural context, like a rock in a stream. It's faceted form continues the contours and pathways of Wedge Park, so that it becomes an integral part of the surrounding landscape, and a sculptural presence in the park.

The principle materials used are architectural aluminum mesh (rainscreen), corrugated metal panels (exterior cladding behind the mesh) and concrete (curb).

The aluminum mesh's semi-industrial charachter creates an interesting connection with the surrounding vegetation: The material's rawness connects with the natural environment, while the textures and sheens contrast and enhance it. At the Utility Yard, the mesh's semi-transparency enables park users to see through the building to the park beyond, and also reveals the building's infrastructure in an educational manner.