SPUR Urban Center

Conveniently located in the evolving South of Market (SoMa) cultural district, this project serves as the new headquarters, or “Urban Center,” for the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association. Seeking to increase their public accessibility and accommodate their growing membership , SPUR sought a solution that afforded flexibility and responded to the organization’s future needs. This one of a kind center permanently houses all SPUR staff and volunteers, as well as provides additional space for community group meetings; discussion and debate on city-based projects; permanent and traveling exhibitions; current projects displays; and public policy research.

Pfau Long developed a four-story structure, that includes a spacious exhibit space on the ground floor, a 125-seat multipurpose hall, accommodations for more than 15 staff members, and an Urban Affairs Library with adjacent outdoor deck on the uppermost level available for events and gatherings. With its transparent, open design and proximity to major transit, the design allows SPUR to host more events in its own location, helps SPUR connect to a network of urban centers with which to share exhibits and library collections, and earn income through seminar and event rentals.

In keeping with SPUR’s mission to promote sustainable development in San Francisco, the SPUR Urban Center is LEED® Siilver certified and is a successful example of delivering a small, state-of-the-art sustainable urban building, and includes exhibits explaining how these systems work.