San Francisco Federal Building
San Francisco, United States
Exterior only
Visible from the street; the inside is private.
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The Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building, an 18-story deconstructivist skyscraper at the corner of Mission and 7th streets in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, was designed by Thom Mayne of Morphosis as a companion to the nearby Phillip Burton Federal Building. Rising 234 feet, the structure combines gray concrete walls, perforated metal panels, and custom faceted wood ceilings in a deliberately fractured aesthetic. The building pioneered sustainable federal design: its southern façade features translucent perforated stainless steel panels that harness solar heat to drive natural ventilation through sensor-controlled windows, while abundant glazing allows natural light to illuminate 80 percent of the interior spaces. These innovations earned it the distinction of being the first Federal Building to achieve LEED certification. Notably, some elevators stop only on every third floor, encouraging occupants to climb stairs for health and social interaction, while additional full-service elevators serve those unable or unwilling to use stairs.
Architect
Movement
- Type
- skyscraper
- Place
- San Francisco, United States
This building on
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Location