The new office in One Sansome has been right-sized and optimized to reflect McCarthy’s brand, enhance its Bay Area culture and support evolving employee needs
SAN FRANCISCO—National interdisciplinary design firm, HGA, today announced the completion of the McCarthy Building Companies (McCarthy) San Francisco office, designed to serve the company’s teams and clients in the Bay Area. The new dynamic, 11,303-square-foot hub combines both functionality and flexibility with a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates the company’s dedication to construction excellence and collaboration. McCarthy self-performed the construction work for the project on the 19th floor of the One Sansome Street high-rise in the Financial District. More than a decade after its last San Francisco office remodel, the newly opened workspace reflects McCarthy’s core values in an approachable, versatile and forward-thinking environment with nods to the local region.
Following McCarthy’s decision to relocate from its former Levi’s Plaza space, the company engaged HGA to collaboratively assess its current needs and future growth, prioritizing spaces that support its expanding headcount and mobile workforce. The new location is closer to public transportation, a benefit critical for San Francisco office employees and clients alike. The location not only makes for an easier commute for their partners but encourages and exemplifies McCarthy’s commitment to sustainability.
Thoughtful space planning and design execution resulted in an environment that integrates collaboration, focus and adaptability with an open layout at the core of the new floorplate. Programmatic features include touchdown areas, flexible seating, phone rooms and huddle spaces that support the company’s “work anywhere together” philosophy. Amenities within the space include a large boardroom that doubles as a strategic planning and event space, with doors that open fully to the rest of the office, a central breakroom that anchors the office and two coffee bars.
The building’s unique rounded-edge square shape was embraced by HGA as a design opportunity, resulting in tambour edges on the breakroom island, specialty lighting, carpet patterns and a custom reception desk complemented by a curved plaster wall element that all referenced back to the building’s curvature. Furthermore, the breakroom captures panoramic views from sweeping windows, serving as a comfortable retreat for employees and a primary showcase of McCarthy’s brand identity in the office. Private offices are positioned along the building’s core, leaving the perimeter open for shared areas and focused workspaces, maximizing daylight and city views.
“After 10 years in our previous location, it was time to reimagine our workspace to enhance teamwork and efficiency as well as provide a space that serves how our employees prefer to work,” said Derek Fitzgerald, senior vice president at McCarthy, San Francisco. “We worked closely with HGA to transform the insights we collected in our staff surveys into a workspace that both addresses employee aspirations and our vision for the future of McCarthy. Through a blend of creativity and functionality infused throughout the office, we now have a space that fulfills our needs and inspires us to achieve our mission in innovative and collaborative ways.”
The overall design of the office balances natural elements within an urban context. Light woods, coordinated textures and soft, natural tones provide warmth and contrast against the building’s cityscape views. Connections to San Francisco’s identity can be found throughout the office, such as undulating ceiling baffles inspired by “Karl the Fog” in the breakroom. There are also subtle nods to the McCarthy brand throughout the new office, including strategic implementations of the company’s iconic red brand color.
All furniture that was selected, in collaboration with furniture vendor The Collective, focuses on ergonomics, workflows and the hub-like, hoteling intent of the space including sit/stand optionality and mobile pieces for easy collaboration. Furthermore, flexible furniture selections, including repurposed pieces, support McCarthy’s commitment to sustainability beyond CalGreen standards.
“This project is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration. From the initial visioning sessions through to close-out, it was a pleasure to work hand-in-hand with McCarthy to align with the company’s goals while creating a new, extraordinary design for their new San Francisco office,” said Perry Stephney, principal-in-charge and project manager with HGA. “Furthermore, McCarthy’s self-performance of the construction work enabled a uniquely close collaboration on the execution of key design elements. Together, we delivered a workspace that not only reflects McCarthy’s core values but also meets the evolving needs of their employees and clients.”
Additional project collaborators included Clean Cut, concrete flooring; McMillian, electrical/low voltage; Innovative Mechanical, mechanical; Northwestern Design, millwork; The Collective, furniture vendor; and Teknion, furniture systems.
In addition to Stephney, the HGA project team included Millie Kwong, senior interior designer; Samantha Yambot, interior designer; Kevin Logsdon, structural project engineer; Tom Patterson, senior project specifier; Anna Vozneko, structural staff; Kera Lagios, senior lighting specialist; and Alec Walsh, senior openings specialist.
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ABOUT HGA
HGA is a national interdisciplinary design firm committed to making a positive, lasting impact for our clients and communities through research-based, holistic solutions. We believe that great design requires a sense of curiosity—forming deep insight into our clients, their contexts, and the human condition. We are a collective of over 1,000 architects, engineers, interior designers, planners, researchers, and strategists. Our practice spans multiple markets, including science and technology, corporate, cultural, education, local and federal government, and healthcare. Visit HGA.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
