![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/56f8/3312/fd3f/6a00/0052/newsletter/1-O_Mbuildings_PhotoByBruceDamonte.jpg?1571116781)
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Architects: Kennerly Architecture & Planning
- Area: 52300 ft²
- Year: 2017
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Photographs:Bruce Damonte, Daniel Gaines
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Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Grohe, Sherwin-Williams, Adobe, Bluebeam, Bosch, Broan, GE Lighting, Hettich, J+J Flooring Group, Liebherr Group, Shaw Industries, Summit Appliances, Tile Tech Pavers, Trimble, Viking Range
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Exterior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/5901/3312/fd3f/6a00/005f/newsletter/18-O_Mbuildings_PhotoByBruceDamonte.jpg?1571117303)
Text description provided by the architects. With a novel approach to a difficult site, this mixed-use, multi-family project captures the optimistic spirit, craft culture, and quirky contrasts of San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. The site is a 75-foot sliver alongside the I-280 Freeway. What was previously a collection of blank warehouses on Indiana Street, engulfed in traffic noise, is now transformed into a duo of complementary residential buildings designed by separate architects.
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Interior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/57b4/3312/fd7f/5f00/00b2/newsletter/5-O_Mbuildings_PhotoByBruceDamonte.jpg?1571116969)
This intervention brings scale and richness to this rapidly developing neighborhood with a series of courtyards, gardens, and stoops, and acts as a visual and acoustic buffer from the busy freeway. The streetscape is activated with the addition of a new café and art plaza right across the street from Esprit Park.
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Image 22 of 22](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/570f/3312/fd7f/5f00/00ad/newsletter/Bldg-M_Fourth-floor-plan.jpg?1571116798)
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Image 19 of 22](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/572d/3312/fd3f/6a00/0054/newsletter/Bldg-M_Elevation_EAST.jpg?1571116835)
The entire project consists of 116 new apartments, including 17 on-site affordable dwelling units. The 61-unit “M” Building has a porous, fine-grain fabric with open courts and stoops in board-formed concrete, vertical bays of glass and Corten steel, vaulted roofs, and a cantilevered white tower that signals its glass-walled main lobby.
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/5794/3312/fd7f/5f00/00b1/newsletter/4-ALR-O_MSF-Models-1060-Edit-HR_PhotoByDaniel_Gaines.jpg?1571116938)
The building has roof-deck lounges with downtown views and features private roof decks and semi-public landscaped outdoor plazas that overlook Indiana Street. Different scale outdoor rooms provide a variety of spaces for tenants to relax and congregate outside, a feature so critical to those living in dense urban areas. Below, a garage for 76 cars, tenant storage, and bicycle parking serves both buildings.
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Exterior Photography, Windows, Chair, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/571c/3312/fd3f/6a00/0053/newsletter/2-ALR-O_MSF-Models-1061-Edit-HR_PhotoByDaniel_Gaines.jpg?1571116819)
Dwellings are a mix of flats and townhomes. Studios and one-bedroom units complemented by family-friendly two- and three-bedroom apartments. All dwellings receive ample natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows and bays. Open kitchens and diversity of layouts provide a variety of living and entertaining options for the residents. Sustainable Design Considerations: “M” Building is located within walking distance to a variety of neighborhood amenities and commercial districts and an array of public transportation options, such as regional rail, urban light rail, trolley bus, and bus.
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Interior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/57a5/3312/fd3f/6a00/0057/medium_jpg/6-O_Mbuildings_PhotoByBruceDamonte.jpg?1571116953)
Additionally, ample bike parking is provided in and around both buildings for tenant and visitor use, thus encouraging biking as a viable transportation option. The design team also incorporated a green roof system and planters that provide bio-filtration for stormwater run-off along with ample green space and plantings at the ground-level courtyards of the building.
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/5880/3312/fd7f/5f00/00b5/medium_jpg/10-O_Mbuildings_PhotoByBruceDamonte.jpg?1571117173)
The project is set up to receive recycled water from the future city network and the designers made sure to specify environmentally friendly, zero-VOC and ultra-low VOC adhesives and sealants, as well as Energy Star appliances and an efficient HVAC system. The building achieved a Gold Greenpoint rating by Build It Green.
![M Building / Kennerly Architecture & Planning - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5da5/56e6/3312/fd3f/6a00/0051/newsletter/2-O_Mbuildings_PhotoByBruceDamonte.jpg?1571116764)