PRESERVATION
WE CRAFT PLACES PEOPLE LOVE.
At TEF, our work is rooted in the goals and values of our clients and shaped by site, memory, community, and culture. Since its inception, our practice has focused on transforming the existing built environment. We appreciate and understand the important role that history plays in shaping our world and believe in the value of historic preservation and building reuse. While every preservation project is an original expression, each shares a common framework of design principles.
State of California Minority-Owned Business Years Serving in the SF Bay Area Technical + Support Staff MBE 25+ 50+
PIERS 1.5, 3, & 5, San Francisco, CA © David Wakely Photography
Authenticity + Identity
We create unique solutions that authentically express a project’s identity and purpose. Each historic resource tells a unique story, which we interpret and highlight, respecting its history while adding new meaning. Our goal is to honor each project’s past and ensure its lasting relevance to the community.
FERRY BUILDING ARCADE, San Francisco, CA © David Wakely Photography
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TAPSCOTT BUILDING, Oakland, CA © Mikiko Kikuyama
UC BERKELEY CV STARR EAST ASIAN LIBRARY, in association with Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, Berkeley, CA © Michael Moran
Maximizing Value through Design
Bringing meaningful new life to historic projects often requires costly structural upgrades, material rehabilitation, and navigating complex conditions and code requirements. The challenge is to make economic decisions that align these intricate project needs with a cohesive design vision. Through an iterative process of critical inquiry, shared knowledge, and research, we create efficient, flexible spaces that provide lasting value to our clients.
PRESIDIO INSTITUTE AT FORT SCOTT, San Francisco, CA © David Wakely Photography
SF PUBLIC LIBRARY GOLDEN GATE VALLEY BRANCH, San Francisco, CA © Bruce Damonte
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PG&E MISSION SUBSTATION, San Francisco, CA © Bruce Damonte
Managing Complexity
Whether managing diverse stakeholders, regulatory approvals, or construction in active buildings, TEF adeptly addresses complex project needs. We educate our clients on the challenges and responsibilities associated with preserving historic resources, thoughtfully guiding them through compliance processes. Our approach establishes clear goals, expectations, and responsibilities to ensure smooth project delivery.
BAYVIEW OPERA HOUSE, joint venture with Knapp Architects, San Francisco, CA © Dennis Anderson
HOOVER PAVILION, Stanford, CA © Bruce Damonte
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BAY AREA METRO CENTER TEMAZCAL ROOM, San Francisco, CA © Mikiko Kikuyama
Responsibility + Resiliency
We prioritize sustainability and adaptive reuse, preserving cultures, empowering communities, and safeguarding resources. Recognizing the growing challenge of adapting historic projects to withstand climate change, we seek innovative solutions that build resilience. Sustainability targets and client goals are aligned using tools like LEED, the Living Building Challenge, Green Point, and the COVE tool.
PRESIDIO TRUST CALVARY DISTRICT BUILDINGS, San Francisco, CA © David Wakely Photography
COMPASS AT GHIRARDELLI SQUARE, San Francisco, CA © Bernard Andre
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SF PUBLIC LIBRARY MARINA BRANCH, San Francisco, CA © David Wakely Photography
Collaboration + Partnership
Establishing a shared culture of trust and open dialog is essential to authentic partnership, kindling innovation and creativity. Our commitment to genuine collaboration is reflected in our record of partnerships. We know the right match leads to elevated outcomes and have provided significant value as joint venture partners, associated architects, and consulting specialists on a number of distinguished preservation assignments.
GARFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER, joint venture with Paulett Taggart Architects, San Francisco, CA © Bruce Damonte
PRESIDIO TRUST FORT WINFIELD SCOTT BUILDING 1201, San Francisco, CA © David Wakely Photography
SWISSNEX AT PIER 17, San Francisco, CA © Bret Janak
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HOOVER PAVILION, Stanford, CA © Bruce Damonte
Diversity + Inclusion
We are committed to fostering equity and inclusion within our practice and the communities we serve. We advance this cause in many ways, including celebrating the cultural landscape through our preservation practice, offering internships to underrepresented students, and working with non-profit organizations that target underserved communities. Our employees bring a wide range of knowledge, experiences, and backgrounds that enrich our office culture and elevate our work.
TAPSCOTT BUILDING, Oakland, CA © Mikiko Kikuyama
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BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SAN FRANCISCO MISSION CLUBHOUSE, San Francisco, CA
© David Wakely Photography
BAYVIEW OPERA HOUSE, joint venture with Knapp Architects, San Francisco, CA
© David Wakely Photography
PIER 40 UPGRADES, San Francisco, CA
© Tim Griffith
At TEF Design, creating places that connect people is at the heart of our work. Established in 1997, our San Francisco-based staff of 50+ architects and interior designers provides large firm experience, delivered through the culture and care of a small practice. Our work is rooted in the goals and values of our clients and shaped by site, memory, community, and culture. While every project we design is an original expression, each shares a common framework of design principles.
1420 Sutter Street, 2nd Fl. San Francisco, CA 94109
415.391.7918
TEFarch.com
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SF PUBLIC LIBRARY GOLDEN GATE VALLEY BRANCH, San Francisco, CA © Bruce Damonte
[ON THIS PAGE AT TOP] PRESIDIO INSTITUTE AT FORT SCOTT, San Francisco, CA © David Wakely Photography