San Francisco is a city full of spontaneity. From stumbling upon a winery in an old warehouse, to an ecclectic food truck park, to a street performer popping up on the corner, the city is full of endless variety. While “U” Wait is a project that roots itself in these ideas, and finds itself in search of a new, experiential architecture. By mixing restoration, preservation, and construction, a new typology is born. This project situates itself in one of the most historically rich districts in the city, Pier 70. The defined hub of this area is the Union Iron Works machine shop, where history was created under its roof in the form of naval submarines for both World Wars. Utilitizing a precedent of the Fillmore jazz era, current day Fisherman’s Wharf, and a new city development plan for Pier 70, provided a platform for a new program for this historical space. A place where artists, dancers, performers, musicians, dining, film, and art exist under a singular roof. A place where formal performances and daily routines become celebrated. An architecture of experience, woven together by the rich thread of social media which ultimately connects us all.

2013

Meredith Phillips, Deanna Ament, Zach Bark