The Vertical City

The Vertical City, a new exhibition of tall buildings by Norman Foster and Foster + Partners opened at the newly refurbished Transamerica Pyramid.

The skyscraper is emblematic of the modern age city and is a reminder that the city is arguably civilization’s greatest invention. A vertical community, well served by public transport, can be a model of sustainability, especially when compared with a sprawling low-rise equivalent in a car-dependent suburb.

Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners, said: “Our own design history of towers is one of challenging convention. We were the first to question the traditional tower, with its central core of mechanical plant, circulation and structure, and instead to create open, stacked spaces, flexible for change and with see-through views.  This led to a further evolution with the first-ever series of “breathing” towers. In the quest to reduce energy consumption and create a healthier and more desirable lifestyle, we showed that a system of natural ventilation, moving large volumes of fresh, filtered air, could be part of a controlled internal climate.”

With the revitalization of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid Center our design seeks to create a vibrant destination in the heart of San Francisco while respecting and celebrating the unique heritage of the building and restoring the historic Redwood Park. The biggest renovation in the building’s 50-year history, this redevelopment seeks to give a new lease of life to one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and the second tallest building in the city.