Salvation Army’s new Turk Street Center
Photograph by Tim Griffith
The Salvation Army’s Turk Street Center is that rare building which both honors the context of an historic district and stands out as decidedly contemporary.
The new building at 240-242 Turk Street was completed in July, 2008 after five years of programming and an intensive Planning Department design review process followed by 28 months of construction, which included the demolition of an existing building.
In designing a rippling facade of metallic bay windows the architects, Herman Coliver Locus, have capitalized on San Francisco’s vernacular building style and affirmed its functionality for the architecture of urban streetscapes.
Photograph by Tim Griffith
By coloring some of the window frames blue or yellow, as shown above, the architects sought to allow residents the possibility of identifying the location of their apartment and thereby lessening the anonymity of the wall of windows.
The eight-story building has 113 apartments, 110 of which are studios with 358.5 sq. ft. Three are 2-bedroom units with 912.5 sq. ft.
11 Comments
By nick on Jun 30, 2009
this is an awesome building…the architects involved must be some of the most creative and innovative around.
By Lolita on Jun 30, 2009
Love the rippling bay windows. Makes me long to live in an architectonically progressive city like SF. Nice work.
By Morrigan on Jul 1, 2009
This is one of those rare buildings that looks great from a number of different angles. Really beautiful.
By jay claiborne on Jul 1, 2009
This is beautiful response to a very progressive program. It is very exciting to see housing of this quality for special needs residents. The hallways say it all.
By PattyG on Jul 1, 2009
The gym and hallways look beautiful I like the color underneath the windows. Great work!!
By Daniel Gregory on Jul 2, 2009
A marvelous and very important building that Sally has deftly explained and revealed in words and pictures. From the artfully reinvented bay window tradition to the miraculous daylighting of the sunken gymnasium, this Center would seem to provide a model for many types of urban housing. It gives new meaning to building green. Bravo Herman Coliver Locus and thank you Sally.
By Roger D. Masters on Jul 3, 2009
From the first time I looked at a picture of this building, my reactions were exactly parallel to those of others who’ve commented. Compared to those modern buildings that look as though the architect was merely trying to attract attention, this will be a lasting contribution to the landscape of one of the great cities of the world.
By Elizabeth M on Jul 3, 2009
How refreshing to see. This building looks like it functions beautifully and efficiently to serve its residents. I especially love the pool and the “green” basketball court.
By "Chimo"Arnold on Jul 4, 2009
I agree 100% with every comment above. I love the joyful, rippling effect. The architecture and look are so attractive and refreshing; the building so inviting!
A great design! Kudos to hermancoliverlocus!
By Dorothy Walker on Jul 9, 2009
this is a marvelous building; a gift to the street and welcoming, attractive interior spaces for residents and community users. This building sets a high standard and provides a great model for other community serving housing projects.
By Web Tasarim Adana on Mar 9, 2010
Nice building. Thank you, web tasarim adana