Haas Jr. Foundation Headquarters

Advancing Philanthropy Through Design

  • client

    Haas Jr. Foundation
  • location

    San Francisco, CA
  • size

    7,900 SF

For over 70 years, the Haas Jr. Fund has advanced the philanthropic impact of the Levi Strauss family legacy. Inspired by the deep mission and values of the non-profit, the interior renovation of its new headquarters prioritizes the well-being of occupants while maximizing access to phenomenal views of San Francisco.

Warm and Welcoming Workplace

Reception area of the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund office featuring a curved wood desk beneath a large circular light fixture and a wall sign displaying the organization’s name.
Office corridor lined with glass meeting rooms leading to a casual seating area where two people work together.
Small lounge nook with upholstered bench seating set within an arched wall recess and two lounge chairs around a side table.
A welcoming reception and a mix of formal and informal gathering spaces create a warm, inviting workplace for conversation, collaboration, and connection.
Small meeting alcove framed by an arched opening where two colleagues sit at a high table for a discussion.
A Space for Connection, Equity, and Joy

Located on the 16th floor of a high-rise in the heart of the Financial District, the 7,900 sq. ft. renovation of existing office space centered on fostering connection, adaptability, equity, and joy. Its design provides both a welcoming, residential-like space for Board Members to visit and an elevated workplace setting for staff. To achieve this vision, open collaboration and gathering zones are strategically integrated throughout the office to encourage dynamic team interaction.

Open office area with cubicles and glass partitions where colleagues talk at a workstation while others move through the space.
Two colleagues meeting at a desk in a glass-walled office with views of nearby downtown buildings.
Reinforcing Transparency

The Fund’s core value of transparency is brought to life through key design decisions, such as frameless glazing of offices and meeting venues that provide abundant access to views and daylight throughout the floorplate. Distinctive glazing between perimeter offices, where dividing walls are held back from the corners, amplifies a sense of openness along circulation corridors.

Large meeting table in a shared office space with expansive windows overlooking San Francisco and the bay.
A strategically located amenity space, with an open kitchen and community table, is a key feature of the project. Offering picturesque views of Coit Tower and the Bay, it draws people together for impromptu socializing while providing the opportunity for respite and connection with the outdoors.
Celebrating the california landscape

The project’s interior language is inspired by the California landscape — a tribute to the client’s deep connection to the Bay Area – featuring natural colors and textures and local artisan materials. Undulating ceilings and curved archways also nod to the regional landscape and traditional Spanish architecture, respectively, to reinforce the California vibe. Strategically placed jewel tone accents – captured in the carpet, wall graphics, furniture, and “jewel box” meeting room–express the client’s bold commitment to arts and activism, enhanced by the Fund’s curated art collection showcased throughout the space.

Sunlit private office and meeting space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown San Francisco and Coit Tower. A gray sofa, green lounge chair, marble coffee table, and dark upholstered meeting chairs sit on patterned carpet, with a wood desk positioned beside the corner windows.
Close-up of the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund wall sign, with the letters filled with a collage of black-and-white photographs.

Collaborators

  • Architect and Interiors
    TEF
  • Structural Engineer
    FTF
  • Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineer
    MHC
  • Lighting Design
    Architecture & Light
  • Contractor
    GCI General Contractors
  • Photographer
    Mikiko Kikuyama