355 11th Street - Matarozzi/Pelsinger Building
By Eric Bobrow
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location
355 11th Street, San Francisco, CA
Building Type
Restaurant, Industrial, & Commercial office
Building Use
The contractors headquarters
occupies the second floor, the
third floor is used by an
architecture firm, and the first
floor and exterior courtyard is
used as a restaurant and bar.
Type Of Project
Adaptive Reuse
An “in-kind” or “similar to what was
there before” renovation of the
exterior walls and a significant
upgrade of the building’s original
timber frame structure.
Architects
Joshua Aidlin, Aidlin Darling Design
Dates
Awarded: LEED Gold
AIA San Francisco Chapter - Energy and
Sustainability in 2009
AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects in
2010
AIA California Council in 2009
Zerofootprint Re-Skinning Award in
2010
Ecological Materials and
Resources Used
Bamboo flooring used for all non-concrete floor surfaces
New exterior metal skin perforated with fields of small holes that allow light and air
to pass through new operable windows hidden behind.
Recycled use of 80% of the original building.
Permeable surfaces on over 85% of the available non-building site area, allowing
storm water to drain directly to the water table rather than entering city sewers.
High-efficiency condensing boiler to heat floors
Energy Efficiency
Unshaded roof areas have a 30kW photovoltaic array, providing 37,751-kWh of the
building’s annual electricity
In-floor radiant heat is supplied by a high-efficiency
condensing boiler rather than using gasoline or oil burners.
Daylight sensors automatically adjust the output of the main light
fixtures to take full advantage of available sunlight
All adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and carpeting used in the
project were low-VOC per LEED-NC EQ Credits 4.1,4.2, and 4.3
Site Ecology
Site Ecology
 Over 20% of the site area, has been planted with drought-
resistant plants that will require no irrigation after a 1-year
establishment period.
 The non-irrigated living roof filters storm water, insulates the
building, and decreases the urban heat-island effect.
 The project has applied permeable surfaces on over 85% of
the available non-building site area, which allows storm
water to drain directly to the water table part of the earth
rather than entering the city sewers.
Site Ecology
 Over 90% of all site surfaces are either planted or high-
albedo, serving to lower surface temperatures
 Minimum of six parking spaces, four of which have been
reserved for alternative-fuel vehicles
 Over 80% of the existing wall, floor, and roof areas of the
original building were retained per LEED-NC MR Credit 1.1
Site Ecology
Water Resources
Pervious surfaces—including landscaping, pervious pavers and drivable
grass pavers—account for over 85% of the non-building site area.
Roof area not occupied by photovoltaics has been planted (xeriscape) and drains to
the pervious site area. Precipitation managed on site is 57%
•No gray water systems used
•Native Plants have been placed throughout the site, resulting
in a landscape that will not require supplemental irrigation
Cost Implications
Cost Implications
 Secure bicycle parking and a shower room and locker area
are available for the use of all building occupants, helping to
make cycling to work a viable option—especially for those
with longer commutes
 Located in the heart of SoMa district so public transportation
is used often
 A custom conference room table and coffee table were
designed for the primary office tenant and were re-sawn
beams removed from the original building to make way for
new exit stairs and elevator.
The building has been designed to be 100%
naturally ventilated and passively cooled
On the east and west facades, the new metal skin is perforated
with fields of small holes that allow light and air to pass
through new operable windows hidden beyond.
The perforated outer skin provides light while mitigating solar heat gain and
enabling cross-ventilation of the interior. This rudimentary double-skin façade
becomes a screen for sunlight and air, allowing the stoic, industrial character of the
original building to be maintained without the visual introduction of new
fenestration.
THE END