The San Francisco Water Division (SFWD) Headquarters at 2000 Marin will establish a new, modern campus supporting the agency’s mission of providing critical water supply infrastructure for the City and County of San Francisco. The project replaces the existing 60-year-old facility at 1990 Newcomb with contemporary, purpose-built buildings that improve working conditions and foster a stronger sense of community among staff. Spread across a 9.1-acre site, the secure campus is comprised of six new buildings: an administrative building, machine shop, warehouse, auto maintenance/carpentry shop, parking garage, and meter kiosk.

SFWD provides the essential service of delivering clean, reliable water to the City of San Francisco while continually repairing and replacing aging infrastructure. This new campus ensures SFWD can continue its mission effectively by creating a safe, efficient, and cohesive workplace for its employees.

The site is organized to clearly separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic, improving safety while also encouraging interaction across departments. Vehicle movement is restricted to the perimeter of the campus, allowing for efficient service vehicle operations, direct access to the shops, and clear sequencing as staff retrieve parts and equipment before heading into the field. The parking garage is equipped with electric vehicle chargers at every parking space, supporting SFWD’s transition to a zero-emissions fleet.

At the heart of the campus, a central plaza serves as both a gathering space and a stormwater garden, with bioretention planters that capture rainwater from surrounding roofs. Originally programmed as a vehicle yard and fleet parking area, the central plaza was reimagined by Cavagnero as a pedestrian-only open space that connects all six buildings. This transformation improves daily operations by providing a protected, garden-like setting where staff can gather, socialize, and collaborate.

Architectural systems throughout the campus are intentionally simple, robust, low maintenance, and sustainable, recognizing that SFWD’s resources are best focused on efficiently delivering services throughout the City. Functionality and safety drive the design of all industrial and shop spaces, replacing outdated equipment and deteriorated conditions with modern systems, appropriate clearances, and well-organized work areas.

Beyond the campus, the project also contributes to the surrounding neighborhood. While the central plaza strengthens internal culture and provides a shared gathering space, the public edges of the site will feature integrated civic art. Most prominently, the three public-facing facades of the parking garage along Cesar Chavez Street, Evans Avenue, and Marin Street will showcase artwork developed in close collaboration with the artist, SFWD, and the San Francisco Arts Commission. These installations will reflect the civic importance of the project and strengthen its connection to the community it serves.