This design-build warehouse expansion’s goal was to increase efficiency and food capacity to achieve the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin counties. The project adds 31,000 sq ft to the existing 1997 facility, including new warehouse space, a 5,200-sq-ft cooler, an accessible street-level welcome center, expanded offices spaces and a loop road to improve circulation of trucks.

Since the food bank is a nonprofit with limited funding, reducing costs on the project scope was a top priority. The project schedule was also tight at just over a year from start to finish in December 2022. With material lead times soaring, the design-build team embraced cost-saving strategies. The team introduced economical above-grade rainwater tanks and used expansive glazing sparingly to reduce cost and HVAC load. Crews relied on natural ventilation in the warehouse and eliminated security fencing along the street frontage.