ON THE RISE
BY Z A H I D S A R DA R
COME TOGETHER
Obsolete purpose-built structures are morphing into multiuse gathering spaces. IN OUR TECHNOLOGICAL AGE , as brick-andDesigner Dave Allen’s food service counter at 1440 Multiversity on a former Christian college campus in Scotts Valley. Above: The reconfigu ed chapel.
mortar businesses and institutions fade, buildings designed to house them also lose their purpose. But entrepreneurs and designers are finding ways to make them multifunctional and versatile. Several solutions in the Bay Area, while diffe ent from each other, share one thing: they promote a sense of community. In effect, they stand in for the village square — indoor/outdoor spaces that promote interaction and relief from screen-based isolation. IN SAN FRANCISCO , designers Yves Behar and
Amir Mortazavi have revived dusty multilevel offic buildings in three diffe ent neighborhoods — the Fillmore, North Beach and the Financial District — as co-working spaces called Canopy. Each spot provides stylish tech-ready desks and shareable office space, aesthetically tailored to suit its neighborhood vibe. But every Canopy is also planned as a venue for after-hours panel discussions and social events for pursuits like wine tasting, spirituality and yoga. As Mortazavi says, Canopy subscribers “can share experiences, make connections and build their networks here.” 48
W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 S PAC E S
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10/30/19 9:13 AM