Mark Cavagnero Associates Architects

    • Projects
    • Chronicle Books Headquarters
    Exterior
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    Lobby Wall
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    Workstation
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    Exterior
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    Library
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    Cafe
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    Circulation
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    Lobby
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    Floor Plan
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    Floor Plan
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    Floor Plan
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    Floor Plan
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    Floor Plan
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    • Photography
    • Site
    • Drawings

    Chronicle Books Headquarters

    Status

    Completed, 2007

    Size

    54,000 SF

    Client

    Chronicle Books

    Scope

    Renovation

    Project Team

    Mark Cavagnero
    Roslyn Cole
    Paul Loeffler
    Christian Whopperer
    Brandon Joo
    Laura Blake
    John Fung

    Project Collaborators

    MEP Engineer: Mazzetti & Associates Inc.
    Structural Engineer: Murphy Burr Curry, Inc.
    Acoustics: Charles M. Salter Associates Inc.
    Lighting Consultant: Silverman + Light, Inc.
    Specifications: Stansen Specifications
    General Contractor: Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Co
    Artwork by Georgia June Goldberg

    Description

    Chronicle Books, a popular San Francisco-based publishing company, needed a new home. With brick walls, heavy timber structure and shed roof, the historic 1920’s building had character and a great location in the South End Historic District; however, the four separate floor plates and high-tech feel of newer additions did not reflect the needs of its new owner. The client utilizes a very horizontal structure with a great deal of interaction between departments; however the vertical building offers four relatively small footprints. The rehabilitation needed to house 225 people within 54,000 SF.  Above all, it needed to reflect their strong communal values, foster innovation and reflect the company’s unique relationship to books. 

    A primary objective of the project was to create multi-dimensional connection within the current structure of the organization, while achieving flexibility to meet their evolving needs in the future. In support of the office’s work flow, new circulation between floors provides intuitive access and visual connections.

    The client’s image is immediately apparent when entering the ground floor lobby. A tall wood wall with varying blue stain, a nod to the client’s brand color, provides a backdrop for activities within the open area. The adjacent corten steel wall curves towards the elevator bank that provides passage to the upper floors. The scale of the wood wall and materiality of the steel provide a framework against the existing brick, historic grand doors and wood ceiling. From book signings and openings to town hall meetings, this space allows for constant activities as well as an iconographic image for the passing street traffic.

    Location

    Recognition

    Awards

    AIA National Honor Award, 2009
    IIDA Northern California Chapter Honor Award, 2009

    Publications

    Architectural Record, May 2009
    Metropolis, June 2008
    Contract Magazine, September 2009
    California Home + Design, April 2009
    The Registry, April 2009