Roughly two acres of dilapidated and forgotten land in the infamous area of Sausalito known as Gate 5 road. The legacy of the place originated in the 50s and 60s when the industrial waterfront area became occupied by artists and thinkers seeking to escape from San Francisco. From artists like Maya Angelou, Gordon Onslow Ford, Allen Ginsberg, Jean Varda and Ruth Asawa to architects and designers such as Robert Anshen and Archigram.

Beyond the physical issues, such as dysfunctional out-of-date utilities and flooding at high tide, the site is also situated partially in the ‘H’ (houseboat) and ‘I’ (light industrial) zoning. Both of these zones are defined by an ancient city plan written to protect the maritime industry and arts community that dates back to World War 2. While the plan prevented purely economic-driven development of senior housing, hotels, and retail, it also prevented many landowners and small businesses from being able to develop and maintain their property, leading to neglect and the inability for tenants to upkeep their homes and small businesses.

Overarching issues may have been clear, but a series of unknowns would be discovered and need to be responded to at each stage of the project. The long-term future of the site remains uncertain, whether new buildings may be realized and existing ones lifted, and what life they may take on.

Our intent is to treat the entirety of the property and program as a way of continuing the legacy of the area and responding specifically to the community and environment’s needs. In this way, the project is the process.