the Bently Reserve

Hot Off the Press

History meets Sustainable Performance: SmithGroup’s New Buildout

May 30th, 2008 By: Doug Hahn

The SmithGroup, an architecture and engineering firm whose 88 LEED projects to date include three top-ranked LEED Platinum buildings, has completed an extraordinary buildout of new offices at the Bently Reserve.

The Bently Reserve appealed to the firm because of its stately Beaux-Arts exterior, flexible floor plans, extensive space, and ample natural lighting. The 200,000-square-foot Bently Reserve is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a protected San Francisco landmark. Designed in the early 1920s by George Kelham, it was the first Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and epitomizes the unique and colorful heritage of San Francisco.

The buildings owner is also commited to sustainability, which appealed to the SmithGroup — building owners Bently Holdings has made LEED Silver certification a prerequisite for all leaseholders.

Transforming this 83-year old space into a dynamic and sustainable workplace was the vision, and it delivers: the contemporary space brings forth the best of both worlds, highlighting the historic aspects of the building while embracing high-performance design. The SmithGroup took this concept a step further: in appreciation of the brick-and-timber core and exposed building elements, the firm left these elements exposed to serve as the canvas for a dynamic design.

William Loftis, the vice president and design principal of SmithGroup’s San Francisco Studio, says “We could see existing brick walls and enormous seismic steel beams that had been installed in the late 1980s peeking out from behind the Drywall. There was brick, steel, exposed concrete, and almost 20ft. between floors. It was an achitect’s heaven.”

The space has become a paragon of sustainable design practice, as well as contemporary aesthetics. Dramatizing the spirit of this modern workplace is a two-story stairway made of steel, glass, and reclaimed teak — it gives visual connectivity between the space’s two floors and invites collaboration. A green roof serves as the capstone of the space, giving employees a healthy retreat while embodying the architectural firm’s sustainable ideals.

Learn more at SmithGroup, and read about their complete buildout here [PDF].

About the Author

Doug Hahn
Doug Hahn

Douglas Hahn is a copywriter, creative writer, and avid reader. He’s been working in the industry for nearly a decade, and wants to see the world become a greener place.

Newsletter Subscription
Online
Related Articles
  1. Our Conference Center is Ranked among the World’s Great Venues
  2. Welcome Jim Bruels, our new events and sales director!
  3. The 12 Best San Francisco Venues for Your Next Conference or Meetup
  4. Bently Reserve Partners with SFMOMA
  5. got light Features Bently Reserve in their Favorite Venues Blog
  6. SWA Offices Receive LEED Gold Certification
  7. Baker Avenue’s Beautiful New Buildout
  8. The Energy Foundation Awarded State’s First LEED-CI Platinum
  9. Baker Avenue’s Beautiful New Buildout
  10. The Energy Foundation Awarded State’s First LEED-CI Platinum
Archive
  1. November 2014
  2. October 2014
  3. July 2014
  4. May 2014
  5. January 2014
  6. October 2013
  7. July 2013
  8. June 2013
  9. March 2013
  10. November 2012
  11. September 2012
  12. August 2012
  13. June 2012
  14. April 2012
  15. February 2012
  16. January 2012
  17. August 2011
  18. July 2011
  19. March 2011
  20. November 2010
  21. September 2010
  22. August 2010
  23. July 2010
  24. June 2010
  25. May 2010
  26. April 2010
  27. March 2010
  28. December 2009
  29. September 2009
  30. August 2009
  31. July 2009
  32. June 2009
  33. May 2009
  34. April 2009
  35. March 2009
  36. February 2009
  37. January 2009
  38. November 2008
  39. May 2008
  40. February 2007