SAN FRANCISCO | Transamerica Pyramid | 853 FT / 260 M | 48 FLOORS | 1972

[plinko]

It's a rare thing when a piece of architecture can become a true icon, but the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco is arguably as famous as the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, and the Empire State Building as a symbol of its city.

Like most towers of its size, it was originally derided by locals as being alien to San Francisco, a product of corporate greed and imported L.A. flashy architecture (designed by William Periera).

But if you asked them today, I'm sure but all of a few crusty old geezers would tell you that it is an absolutely wonderful pinnacle to their city.

The base is a truly brutal disaster, a concrete mess of jumbled triangular geometry, but there is a small redwood park that attempts to soften it a little. The precast concrete facade tapers up 48 stories, and oddly the window surrounds actually give a small hint of vernacular San Francisco bay windows.

The tower tapers so much that the elevator cores actually break free of the pyramid and form 'wings' at the top. The building is capped by a further continuation of the pyramid, lit up at night, but unfortunately a bit muted.

I believe there is a rotating aircraft beacon at the top as well, but i'm not sure if it's in use.

The pyramid isn't a great shape in terms of leasable space for an office tower, as the 48th floor of this tower is a mere 5,400 SF! Still, it projects a profile that is forever memorable and is a true icon for the city of San Francisco.

[LMich]

I love it for its uniqueness, but, man, do I wish they'd used another material for the facade. I've seen this one in person, and I hear the facade is quartz, but it's aged like bad exterior concrete.

[BTinSF]

So what do you think about the proposal to put this next to it:







All images from http://www.socketsite.com via http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=130808

[plinko]

^the round one isn't bad looking.

[arlekin_m]

What a strange building.

[peanut gallery]

Originally Posted by plinko

there is a small redwood park that attempts to soften it a little.

The proposal that BT posted includes expansion of that park.

Originally Posted by plinko

I believe there is a rotating aircraft beacon at the top as well, but i'm not sure if it's in use.

It is still in use but only on special occasions, most notably around the holidays.

[SLO]

the round one isnt bad, the park is great too.

[Amanita]

I have always been a fan of the pyramid. Such an unusual, fun, and funky tower! Apparently the poor thing got a crude nickname- "Periera's prick", but I don't think anyone uses it anymore.

[CGII]

Perhaps the easiest to love brutalist building in history.

[M II A II R II K]

Transamerica Pyramid Achieves LEED Gold and Mayor Releases EB Recommendations


Monday, 21 December 2009

Read More: http://www.usgbc-ncc.org/

Mayor Gavin Newsom announced new legislation aimed at improving energy efficiency for existing buildings in San Francisco at a LEED Gold plaque presentation for the Transamerica Pyramid. The Mayor convened a task force on existing buildings to come up with recommendations; included on the task force were two of USGBC-NCC's Boardmembers, Barry Giles and Lisa Galley.

USGBC-NCC Executive Director Dan Geiger presented the LEED Gold plaque to Christof George of AEGON Insurange Group. The iconic Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco received LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EBOM) Gold, symbolizing the city's efforts to go green.

[wrab]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ca_Pyramid.jpg

[Infernal_Elf]

i love this building it looks really great and i think san francisco`s new supertall should be built in the same design only much taller and with a different cladding.

[dr_strangelove]

I think the base with the redundant triangles is one of the best features visually, and also makes it durable in an earthquake. And I do believe this building fits into the category "futurism" and not "brutalism."

[SanFranFan]

I agree the base is not beautiful , the rest is okay , i'l looking for pictures of the construction. found only 2 .

Thanks

[THE BIG APPLE]

They were smart and knew pyramid buildings as office towers are infeasible. So that's they gave it some girth on two ends. Still the best building on the West Coast.

[mt_climber13]

Originally Posted by THE BIG APPLE

They were smart and knew pyramid buildings as office towers are infeasible. So that's they gave it some girth on two ends. Still the best building on the West Coast.

Actually the wings are elevator shafts and were added because the building was shortened from its initial 1,000'+

[SFView]

I came across this photo of an earlier proposal for the Transamerica Pyramid. I believe that is Mayor Joseph Alioto on the far left talking with, if I'm not mistaken, radio and TV host Jim Dunbar. Does anyone know who the others are? Was this the proposal at 1,000 or 1,150 feet?

Source:
https://plus.google.com/photos/10352...49380337783490

[viewguysf]

Originally Posted by SFView

I came across this photo of an earlier proposal for the Transamerica Pyramid. I believe that is Mayor Joseph Alioto on the far left talking with, if I'm not mistaken, radio and TV host Jim Dunbar. Does anyone know who the others are? Was this the proposal at 1,000 or 1,150 feet

That's very cool! I had just been thinking about trying to find original renderings.

It was shortened 297', from 1,150' to the present 853'. I've always deeply regretted that--a great mistake, preventing a much more dynamic tower that Transamerica was already prepared to build.

[mdsayh1]

Does anyone know why it was ever shortened?

[mthd]

Originally Posted by mdsayh1

Does anyone know why it was ever shortened?

opposition from many directions, including neighbors on tel hill, the city planning department, the aia, spur, etc.

this article by john king has a decent history:

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/P...on-3277598.php