Starchitect Renzo Piano Tackles Transbay District Tower Design

Starchitect Renzo Piano is returning to San Francisco. The Italian architect, who worked on the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, has been commissioned to work on a 37-story hotel and condominium project at 555 Howard St.

Renzo plans to design a sustainable building with “a double skin of glass." Automated blinds between the panes would add texture and control heat and glare, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The building will stand near the underway Transbay Transit Center.

While plans are still in an early stage, Renzo wants to make a philosophical statement with the design.

Hans Galland

Pacific Eagle and SKS Partners are leading the development. Pacific Eagle SVP Hans Galland (pictured above) says the developer decided on Piano after meeting in Genoa. “We were drawn to his ability for placemaking in an urban context, to bring lightness to what might look like a very challenging site,” Hans tells the San Francisco Chronicle. [SFC]

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Related Topics: Renzo Piano
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's San Francisco Newsletters
Related Stories

Healthpeak Secures Approval For $4.5B Alewife Project

Mesa City Council Greenlights $3B Mixed-Use Project

McKinney Approves $21M In Funding For Cannon Beach Surf Resort

1375 Peachtree: A Bespoke Design Redefining The Midtown Atlanta Workspace

With Occupancy Brimming, Investors Pile Into Bay Area Apartments

Stanford Pursuing $100M Fund For A 2M SF Expansion

Battersea Power Station Reveals Plans To Double Development Again

Crystal Residences Offers A Model For Delivering New Housing And Lasting Community Benefits In Coral Gables

Design Plans Revealed For RFK Stadium Parking Garages, Headed To Review

Oxford Properties' U.S. Investment Head On Why It's Buying Office Again — And Where

Apartments Kick Off New Era Of Mixed-Use Activity In Philly Navy Yard

Stephen Ross Expands Palm Beach Empire With Massive Boca Raton Campus