From 3:00–5:00 PM, join a dynamic walking tour inspired by Giambattista Nolli’s groundbreaking 1748 map of Rome, exploring the seamless network of public and private spaces in San Francisco’s Mission Bay. Led by architect and tech entrepreneur Dave Alpert, FAIA, and architectural historian Josh Bevan, the tour examines Mission Bay’s transformation from a Southern Pacific rail yard to a vibrant neighborhood of architecture, open space, and cultural activity.
Along the route, participants will encounter landmark projects by international designers including Snøhetta and Ricardo Legorreta; national firms such as Studio Gang, AECOM, Stantec, Mithun, SmithGroup, DLR, SHoP, ZGF, Cesar Pelli, HDR, HKS, STUDIOS, and Arquitectonica; and local leaders including WRNS, Daniel Solomon, and Leddy Maytum Stacy, as well as landscape architecture by RHAA, Andrea Cochran, and CMG.
The experience concludes with an AR-assisted preview of Mission Bay’s future development, followed by a traditional no-host outdoor happy hour at a nearby venue.
This event is approved for 2 Learning Units
- Eead the city of the past through remnants and imprints such as the China Basin warehouses, the quirky houseboats, the old rail lines, the boat ramps, the truncated overhead freeway, and the traces of the ancient wetlands which filled this area of the city.
- Draw inspiration from the city of the present through Mission Bay’s pedestrian- and transit-focused master plan, its mixed-use integration of sports venues, office and biotech projects, housing projects, commercial spaces, and medical facilities, its varied and amazing architect-designed buildings, and its engaging open spaces along the waterfront and throughout the neighborhood.
- Envision the city of the future through the impetus of the recently- completed Central Subway, the emerging development adjacent to the ballpark, and the ongoing expansion of development into the adjacent areas of Pier 70 and Dogpatch.
- Explore the emerging 3D technology of AI-driven digital twins and AR (Augmented Reality) as tools to envision and render future projects based on BIM files