Weird and Wonderful

Situated in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin Neighborhood, INTERSTICE Architects partnered with the 826 Valencia nonprofit organization to create a space dedicated to supporting teachers as they inspire San Francisco Bay Area youth in developing their creativity through writing. The new 5,200-square-foot space serves as a stimulating workshop, a curious retail outlet, and the central administrative offices of this national nonprofit organization. With enormous support from the community, and heroic cooperation from professionals, contractors, and suppliers, 826 and its new Tenderloin Center will serve as an important catalyst for future creativity in this vibrant and historic neighborhood.

A Labyrinth of Discovery

The 826 Valencia Tenderloin Center embraces the magic of childhood, creativity, and learning. Entering the main retail storefront, King Carl’s Emporium, one is surrounded by objects with a whimsical twist: a clock on the wall displays the time in the (some say mythical) city of Atlantis, wooden pens contain what is advertised as giant squid ink, and glitter is a handy “Gnome Be-Gone” solution. Multiple secret doors lead visitors through a labyrinth of spaces to explore, including nooks for reading or play. Behind the Emporium’s facade lies a large writing space with communal tables for student collaboration where a treehouse, built into the wall, can be accessed via a hidden staircase in the tree’s trunk. A tree-stump-shaped stage for performances and presentations extends the forested imagery from a full-wall mural of a sunny, wooded hillside. What was once a boarded-up exterior was transformed into a wall of windows, not only letting in natural light, but allowing the community to peer in and see—and perhaps be inspired by—young people hard at work.

 

Citywide Collaboration

INTERSTICE has had a unique relationship with 826 Valencia, beginning as neighbors: the firm’s first office was only three blocks away in the Mission District where 826 Valencia had their start in 2002. Over the years, a continued friendship has centered around education and design. This friendship resulted in 826 approaching INTERSTICE to work with the nonprofit and fellow San Francisco-based architecture firm, MKThink, to help conceptualize the project and its programming at the early stages. From there, the energetic and committed team grew to include a highly capable group of consultants including Gensler, Office and BCCI Construction, MKThink, Glumac and Tipping Engineers, all of whom came together to support this unique project. Not only has the project reinvigorated and strengthened the existing structure, its influence will be felt on the streets and in the homes of the larger community that has just begun to realize its creative light. 826 Valencia has ultimately brought a creative, safe, weird, and welcoming space for children—as well as the extraordinary adult volunteers that make it all possible—to a highly underserved community in the geographic center of San Francisco.

Reshaping the Narrative

Historically, this corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Leavenworth Street has been one frequently patrolled by the police force. Before 826 took over the lease, this space was a liquor store, notoriously complicit for drug trafficking and uncivil behavior. Many parties including the Mayor’s Office and Supervisor Jane Kim’s Office, as well as police and neighboring partners have all invested in this project, leading to a below-market-rate rent on a 20-year lease. This confluence of energies, including the support of numerous private donors, has enabled 826’s organization to realize a transformative project in an area of the city where it is most desperately needed.

 

 

 

 

Pirate’s Parklet to Tenderloin HQ

INTERSTICE started its formal collaboration with 826 Valencia back in 2011 to create an interactive ephemeral architecture that extended 826’s presence into the Valencia corridor. We created a Temporary Parklet from repurposed shipping pallets in front of the (in)famous Pirate Supply Shop at 826 Valencia in the Mission District. Working with the kids in the 826 studio, INTERSTICE hosted a design workshop with the young student creatives who imagined a storytelling vessel, fittingly called the P’Aaaarrrrr’klet, which boasted a tree as its main mast and grass on all decks. We repurposed 150 shipping pallets, lashed together with cargo straps and railroad ties to construct the Parklet hull around a tall Mast-tree that flew the Jolly Roger, where stories were told and oranges served all day long — to ward off scurvy, of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• CAMPUS/CULTURAL
• Commercial
• Education
• San Francisco