PROJECT TYPE: Presentation

DATE: 2011

LOCATION: San Francisco, CA

ROLE: Writer and presenter

SUMMARY: After receiving a prestigious travel scholarship, Grant gave a presentation on the Federal Government’s Design Excellence program. Thom Mayne is correct in his claims that the San Francisco Federal Building “creates a landmark for the city of San Francisco”, but he is wrong in adding that the building will “redefine the culture of the workplace through office environments that boost worker health, productivity and creativity. ”The building is a successful landmark of government sanctioned environmentalism.

Yet it will inevitably not be able to achieve the ethical and social meanings described by the architect and the client. It is futile to tell people how to use a building or a space. The San Francisco Federal building aggressively tries to do this. Yet one cannot force people to be, or feel, virtuous. The San Francisco Federal Building has found the limit to what can be proscribed by the architect.