The October 3, 2014 issue of the San Francisco Business Times recently featured an article about Doree Friedman of Fineline Construction, who is one of the most respected construction contractors in the field of affordable housing.  In the article, Mock/Wallace partner, Ron Wallace, was quoted extensively about our successful collaboration with Fineline Construction . . . "Doree Friedman, has always tried to protect our firm and . . . other architects from unjust criticism from some small mistake that might otherwise be embarrassing. . . . This is what I call a team approach to a successful construction project."

Perfection is an elusive goal and Doree understands this.  Unlike the latest iphone, architecture and construction is not produced in a hermetically sealed factory where thousands of units are produced daily and the design prototypes and production process is refined time and time again before the final product is ready.  Most buildings are usually a one-time effort.  Each representing the goals and constraints of a unique client.  Each step, each detail, is interpreted by the designer, drafter, estimator, supplier, and construction worker -- a process that may pass through the hands of  20 or more people before a physical product materializes.  Multiple each detail by the thousands of details both big and small and you can understand how problems arise.  

If the entire team from Owner, Architect and Contractor (and all others) understand, plan  and really collaborate, it becomes a team effort that benefits all.  Thank you Doree for being excellent at this!
 

The year - 1979 and the beginning of Mock/Wallace Architects:  Here on the second floor of this building was our first Mock/Wallace office.  This brick building, then known as the Bay Guardian Building.  I thought of this again as the Bay Guardian has just stopped publishing.  

Notice the black 1960's era Volvo parked in front at the left of the building.  I always liked that car.  It was owned by a graphic designer who had a studio across the street.   LM

This photo from the roof of UA Homes (our newly completed renovation and addition of 74 Units of affordable housing) featured a Green Point Rating for including sustainable design features.  The drawings and specifications as well as the completed project were reviewed by a third party to determine compliance with Green Point Rating standards.  Our client, Resources for Community Development proudly displays this certificate in the lobby of the building. 

Tuesday  June 24, 2014, the Mock/Wallace crew celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of the UA Homes Affordable Housing project.  To the sounds of live jazz and a BBQ lunch, the residents seemed quite happy with the new digs!

Pacific Heritage Wood is a specialty shop that re-purposes salvaged wood for new uses.  Their website features our Doc Marten Store on Haight Street in San Francisco where we used their salvaged wood on the floor.  

Except for the cars, the photos above look pretty much the same.  Even though it is located next to one of the most prestigious shopping areas in the country, the Tenderloin hasn't changed much in 60 years.   Now with the sudden explosion of development on the Mid-Market area, this is sure to ripple to the surrounding areas here.  Developers may already be staking out the choice spots now.  

For many, this area is a high crime area and an eyesore.  For others, this is home.   This is not particularly good news for those who are already stretched beyond their means maintaining a toe hold in San Francisco.   

We're proud to have worked with our client Community Housing Partnership, a non-profit developer,  to preserve 60 units of affordable housing at 735 Ellis, the Cambridge Apartments. 

On Tuesday June 24, 2014 our client Resources for Community Development  is ready to celebrate the Grand Re-opening of UA Homes providing 74 units of affordable housing.   UA Home residents now have the ability to prepare healthy food in their own rooms - a new feature for the residents. 

We're glad to be part of this project and thank our consultants, MHC our electrical and mechanical consultant and Hom-Pisano our structural consultant.  You are invited to join us between 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM - ceremony at 1:00 PM.  

A small space with a small kitchen is sometimes best done with as few elements and colors as possible.  Here is a small kitchen on Ina Court in San Francisco.

Finally after starts and stops, our Cambridge project in San Francisco's Tenderloin is finally finished!  The Grand Re-Opening is next week.