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PUBLIC RESTROOM BUILDING FOR ALCATRAZ ISLAND
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
The program requirements for this structure were to provide a fully accessible restroom facility for the public and park staff on an island that was also a national historical park. The contemporary design uses basic materials that not only reflect the vocabulary of various elements of the surrounding structures, but also incorporates sustainable design features. Another notable feature of this project is that this is an example of the public/private partnership concept between the National Park Service and the Blue and Gold Fleet.
Sustainable elements of this project include a passive ventilation system with the use of metal louvers, ceramic tiles made from recycled glass, seawater pumped from the bay for use in the toilets, and innovative plumbing fixtures such as waterless urinals.
For the overall building design, concrete masonry was used because of its durability in the island's sometimes-harsh environment and its similarity in nature to the construction materials of adjacent structures. The use of split face and precision block allowed variations in texture and color that suggest some of the vocabulary of adjacent buildings by creating "pilaster" like element at corners and horizontal banding and detailing. Glass block in the windows creates a pattern similar to that of the historic high security window types of adjacent structures, while its use in the parapet creates patterns of light and shadow similar to that of the concrete fencing. Overall, the colors of the materials chosen blend in with the various hues of its surroundings.
ARCHITECT:
Lerner + Associates Architects
1108C
Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Arnie
Lerner, AIA
Principal
CLIENT:
Blue and Gold Fleet
James
Adams
Facilities Manager
OWNER:
National Park Service
James
Christensen
Project Manager
