Conveniently located within what is now being referred to as the new center of downtown, this project will serve as the future headquarters, or "Urban Center", for SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association). With an impressive rate of membership growth, SPUR sought a solution that afforded flexibility and responsiveness to potential needs in the future. This one of a kind center, will be able to expand its programming, provide more space for community groups to meet, assist start-up nonprofits, offer ample neutral space for discussion and debate on works-in-progress, host permanent and traveling exhibitions, display plans on current projects, expand SPUR's public policy research and permanently house all SPUR staff and volunteers.
Pfau Architecture has developed a four-floor structure, which includes a spacious exhibit space on the ground floor, a 125-seat multipurpose hall, accommodations for more than 15 staff members, and an expanded Urban Affairs Library with adjacent outdoor deck, perfect for events and gatherings. With it's transparent, open design and proximity to major transit, the design will allow SPUR to host more events in its own location, help SPUR create a network of urban centers with which to share exhibits and library collections, and earn income through seminar and event rentals.
In keeping with SPUR's mission to promote sustainable development in San Francisco, the SPUR Center will be designed to meet LEED certification standards and will be a demonstration project for delivering a state of the art sustainable urban building, and will include exhibits explaining how these systems work.
