MacLac Building D

This innovative LEED Gold-certified project involved the adaptive reuse of an historic lacquer and paint factory in San Francisco’s warehouse district. The edifice—Building D in a complex of alphabetically named  structures—is representative of San Francisco's post-1906 earthquake industrialization. 

Retaining the original brick shell, new steel king post trusses were nestled against the original heavy timber roof beams, allowing the team to level the old roof while protecting the building’s geometry. Wood was essential to the interior's transformation from a cold, earthquake-vulnerable shell to a seismically-upgraded, visually warm and inviting space. CLT diaphragms suspended from trusses were crucial to the seismic upgrade, while creating valuable floor space with exceptional vantage points of the building volume, and allowing a column-free lower level.

The roof is reframed above the reconfigured trusses with light-frame wood construction, accommodating a continuous ridge skylight with integrated plywood shear panels.  


Watch a short one-minute video of this project, which was selected as a 2023 Wood Design Awards winner. View the full award gallery here.