A 230,000-sq-ft laboratory and office build-out spanning seven floors of a warm shell building has created a new San Francisco space for biotechnology company Genentech. The all-electric building’s design also prioritized sustainable materials and construction practices. Central to the facility’s user-oriented design is a feature stairwell, which connects various parts of the building and encourages spontaneous interactions. By integrating support services on the second floor, the design ensures chance encounters occur throughout the building. Open lab spaces embrace natural light and biophilic design principles, while window walls allow for ample sunlight.

Across 276,020 worker hours, the team reported no lost-time or recordable incidents thanks to a safety approach that was driven by cultural alignment and high standards. A Good Catch program that focused on identifying hazards significantly contributed to maintaining safety on site. Fostering a culture where safety concerns could be openly addressed across the entire team helped ensure open communication and a sense of community, ensuring everyone felt comfortable discussing safety issues without fear of reprisal. This program helped the team identify hazards such as tripping risks, ventilation needs in a glass building, PPE compliance and minor leaks.

Photo by Matthew G. Anderson

After construction started, the scope expanded to include an auditorium. Safety challenges included erecting steel with limited head height, the size and capacity of equipment that could be used and air quality. The team secured the work area and implemented 100% fall protection measures for work higher than 6 ft while continuously monitoring air quality and using local exhaust ventilation to maintain a safe environment.

To support efficient and safe construction, crews installed super decks—retractable loading platforms with fixed harness points—on all floors. This required the temporary removal of window systems and the installation of guardrails to maintain safety. Super decks allowed the team to move large equipment and materials directly into the building while minimizing disruption and maintaining a controlled, secure work environment.

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