Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects

College Track

College Track
© David Wakely

FURNISHING
One WorkPlace

CONTRACTOR
Plant Construction

MEP
Randall Lamb

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Fratessa Forbes Wong

PHOTOGRAPHS
David Wakely

SITE AREA
9800 sq ft

AREA
13800.0 ft²

YEAR
2012

LOCATION
San Francisco, United States

CATEGORY
Other Facilities

Founded in 1997, College Track is a nonprofit organization that aims to empower students from under-resourced communities to obtain a college degree.

College Track
© David Wakely
College Track
© David Wakely

Over the course of eight years, from the summer before high school through college graduation, College Track engages these students in programs focusing on academics, student life, and leadership. More than 90% of its participants are admitted to a four-year university.

With locations in California, Louisiana, and Colorado, College Track established a presence in San Francisco’s Bayview/Hunter’s Point neighborhood in 2007 and quickly outgrew the space.

College Track
© David Wakely
College Track
© David Wakely

To more than double the number of students it could serve each year, from 200 to 500, the organization purchased an abandoned former industrial building on a prominent corner site in Bayview/Hunter’s Point.

Constructed in 1927 as a machine shop, the one-story unreinforced masonry building had most recently housed a medical office and clinic. Character-defining historic features include a gabled parapet roof with a concrete cartouche, a fan-shaped transom light, and large bay windows.

College Track
© David Wakely
College Track
© David Wakely

All the original windows had been filled in with lath and plaster. Turnbull Griffin Haesloop renovated the structure to create a flagship center for the organization that would reflect its mission and serve as a beacon for students in the neighborhood.

The bay windows were reopened and restored, along with the fan-shaped transom and concrete cartouche. 

The 13,800-square-foot project included a full seismic upgrade of the brick exterior, alteration of the existing steel trusses to allow for the insertion of a partial second floor, and all-new building systems.

College Track
© David Wakely
College Track
© David Wakely
College Track
© David Wakely

Inside, the design goal was to create a dynamic space for learning that would encourage exploration, while at the same time allow for easy supervision.

A series of tutoring rooms and support spaces are organized around a central, skylit reading room, accented by the translucent light monitor that lets in natural light from new windows along the north facade.

College Track
© David Wakely
College Track
© David Wakely
College Track
© David Wakely

Natural and recycled finishes complement the exposed building structure, while vibrant colors in the furnishings energize the student activity spaces.


College Track
© David Wakely
College Track
© David Wakely


College Track
Ground Floor Plan
College Track
Second Floor Plan
College Track
Site Plan

Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects
T +1 415 4412300
Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects
2725 Elmwood Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, United States