Mission Rock Building B by WORKac — A New Vision for Sustainable Workplace Architecture

Mission Rock Building B in San Francisco represents a bold reimagining of the contemporary workplace. Designed by WORKac, the 300,000-square-foot building introduces a new model of urban innovation—one that seamlessly merges architecture, landscape, and sustainability. Through its terraced gardens, sculpted façade, and flexible interior planning, Building B embodies the future of biophilic, climate-responsive commercial architecture.

A Sculpted, Garden-Filled Workplace

Building B stands eight stories high, but its perception is transformed by a series of horizontally shifting layers. These layers carve out lush outdoor terraces, creating cascading gardens that double as open-air meeting rooms and collaborative workspaces. This design not only brings nature into daily work life but also strengthens visual connections to the dramatic San Francisco Bay and skyline.

The facade integrates fritted glass, textural precast ripples, and deep shadow lines that add sculptural richness to the building. These carved-out portions invite daylight deeper into lower floors, giving tenants bright, open environments suited for traditional workplaces, life science labs, and creative studios.

To support inclusivity, WORKac designed open-concept, all-gender restrooms on every floor—showcasing a progressive, user-centered approach to workspace needs.

Ecological Topography as Architectural Expression

The architectural concept draws from San Francisco’s dynamic landscape. WORKac conceived the building as a stacked urban topography, with each terrace creating green micro-habitats. Collaborating with GLS Landscape Architecture, the design transitions from dense, leafy plantings on lower levels to wind-resistant succulents higher up.

These gardens function as a “fifth façade,” visible from surrounding towers and public spaces. The terraced forms lower the perceived scale of the building, connecting Mission Rock Square and Dr. Maya Angelou Lane to the development’s active, community-oriented street life.

Materiality and Street-Level Activation

From afar, Building B appears monochromatic and light, enhancing its sculptural silhouette. Up close, its textured precast panels unfold into curtain-like ripples that animate the facade with shadow and movement.

At street level, WORKac designed a vibrant, animated glass storefront that pushes outward to invite pedestrians or pulls inward to create shaded outdoor seating. This gesture reinforces Mission Rock’s public character, offering welcoming transitions between indoor programs and urban life.

A large, secure bike storage room encourages sustainable commuting—complementing the nearby Mission Rock BART station and the site’s pedestrian-first planning.

LEED Gold Performance and Climate Resilience

Sustainability drives every aspect of Mission Rock Building B. Anticipating rising sea levels in the Bay Area, the entire development is elevated 5 feet above sea level.

The project achieves LEED Gold Certification, supported by advanced environmental systems including a district-wide blackwater treatment and recycling network. The building alone contributes to recycling more than 50,000 gallons of water per day, which is reused for irrigation and toilet flushing across Mission Rock.

This closed-loop strategy dramatically reduces potable water consumption and sets a new standard for sustainable urban districts.

Part of a Transformative 28-Acre Waterfront District

Mission Rock Building B is a key component of the ambitious 28-acre Mission Rock redevelopment, led by Tishman Speyer and the San Francisco Giants. Formerly an asphalt parking lot, the area is now a thriving mixed-use community introducing:

• 500+ new homes
• 600,000 sq ft of commercial and retail spaces
• Enhanced public access to the waterfront
• The new China Basin Park, a five-acre landmark designed by SCAPE (opened April 2024)

Building B joins notable architectural contributions from internationally recognized firms, including:

• MVRDV – The Canyon (residential, 2023)
• Henning Larsen – Visa Global Headquarters (2024)
• Studio Gang – Verde residential tower (2024)

Together, these projects form a signature skyline that reflects San Francisco’s topography, sustainability goals, and cultural vibrancy.

Mission Rock Building B by WORKac sets a new benchmark for biophilic design, sustainable urban architecture, and flexible workplace environments. Its layered gardens, sculptural facade, and integrated ecological systems make it a model for climate-adaptive urban development—reshaping how architecture can nurture wellness, community, and environmental stewardship.

All photographs are works of Bruce Damonte