4 Beneficial public architecture projects in San Francisco

This article begins a three-part series on the benefits of public architecture, or infrastructure designed for community usage. If your hometown had a beautiful park or a cherished library, then it had public architecture.

The authors of this series are architects with experience in local, state, and federal government agencies, which are often responsible for public architecture. First up is local-level architect Julia Laue, FAIA, the city architect and bureau manager for the Bureau of Architecture at San Francisco Public Works. She discusses four projects designed by the city government during her tenure.

The Southeast Community Center transformed San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood with an architectural commitment to social equity. The center delivers inclusive amenities, including affordable childcare, workforce training, coworking spaces, and multipurpose rooms. Outreach to over 3,000 residents helped conceptualize and inform its design.

Set on two acres of landscaped open space, the design integrates amphitheaters, gardens, and green infrastructure that manages stormwater and nurtures biodiversity. Its striking façade takes inspiration from Gee’s Bend quilts, and sunshades and overhangs optimize daylight and comfort while reducing energy use.

Describing the structure, urban design critic John King wrote, “The canopy helps create a porch-like feel to the entry plaza, but at a scale reminiscent of Renzo Piano’s California Academy of Sciences,” which is a large, striking museum and research facility. The “porch-like” atmosphere King mentioned and transparent pavilion space invite openness and flexibility, reinforcing the building’s role as a community gathering place.

Public art, commissioned through San Francisco’s Art Enrichment program, celebrates local identity with works by artists connected to Bayview. This center exemplifies architectural innovation and community partnership: Beyond its aesthetic excellence, the project employed nearly 100 residents and exceeded city standards for local business participation.

The Southeast Family Health Center is the culmination of decades of community advocacy and the beginning of a new era in equitable health care for the Bayview neighborhood. It was originally established in 1979 through grassroots efforts to secure federal funding.

A new two-story expansion elevates its capabilities, adding 21 patient rooms, laboratory and X-ray services, podiatry and optometry spaces, and a flexible multipurpose room for staff and community gatherings. Designed to foster healing and connection, the building prioritizes natural light and frames sweeping views from the second floor. Its glass façade and warm, Afro-centric interior palette—enriched by works from three Black San Francisco artists—create a welcoming environment visible from the adjacent park and Muni Metro light rail stop. 

Architecturally, the design harmonizes with the original clinic through a composition of cementitious panels and transparent west-facing corridors, balancing openness with privacy. “The physical spaces where we deliver care really matter,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, the city’s director of health at the time of the clinic’s opening. “The quality of the building, the artwork on the walls, the designs and layout—these all contribute to long-term health.” 

At the center, thoughtful design, cultural expression, and community engagement converge to promote long-term health. “We know that community is so important, and this … facility is all about community,” remarked previous San Francisco mayor London Breed.

Located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, a neighborhood often defined by its challenges, the Geary Stabilization Unit is a lifeline for people experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms, mental health crises, and addiction. The unit offers immediate access to clinical care, counseling, drug treatment, and housing programs. The project’s team transformed a former Goodwill store and adjacent lot into modern, welcoming facilities.

The 1940s-era building is listed on the National and California Registers as part of the Upper Tenderloin Historic District. It has been reborn as a 24-hour care facility serving up to 15 individuals. The renovation introduced modern upgrades: polished concrete floors, mechanical and life safety systems, skylights, and revitalized street frontage, all while preserving the original open wood truss system for a rustic, airy feel. Natural light floods the space, complemented by private and social seating areas that encourage comfort and connection.

Steps away at 629 Hyde Street, a former parking lot now hosts a prefabricated modular building that serves as support spaces for the Department of Public Health’s wellness programs. Together, these facilities show how architecture can create places of refuge and renewal, designed to meet people where they are and guide them toward stability.

San Francisco recently opened the Transitional Age Youth Health and Wellness Center, a 10,000-square-foot sanctuary designed for young adults ages 18–27 experiencing homelessness. Open 24/7, the center offers showers, laundry, lockers, restrooms, and a hair salon. These are basic amenities that restore dignity and stability.

The architectural design transformed a former car showroom into a bright, flexible space. T-shaped partitions create zones for reading, gaming, and socializing, while acoustic panels soften sound. Large windows provide natural light yet maintain privacy with adjustable shades. An outdoor patio features seating and a pet-washing station, further encompassing people’s needs.

The center’s mission is urgent: San Francisco’s 2024 Point-in-Time count recorded more than 1,100 unhoused young adults. “This is a significant step forward in addressing the special needs of young adults struggling with homelessness,” said Shireen McSpadden, executive director of San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

San Francisco Public Works director Carla Short added, “We are honored to have contributed to it and look forward to seeing what the future holds.” By combining thoughtful design with essential services, the center offers not just respite but a pathway to stability and community empowerment.

Julia Laue, FAIA, LEED AP, NCARB, is the city architect for San Francisco Public Works, leading a team of 70 architects who shape the city’s built environment. In 2024, Laue became the first woman appointed city architect since the role’s creation in 1907.

A special thanks to additional contributors to this article, including include Greta Jones and Colin Mosher of the San Francisco Public Works (SFPW) Bureau of Architecture and the SFPW Communications Team.