This bold project is based on the concepts of movement and interaction between private and public spaces. Covering 56,206 m˛, the San Francisco Federal Building is one of the most ambitious projects by the Morphosis agency in terms of high environmental quality. This first-rate urban landmark redefines at the same time a social culture in the workplace by improving comfort and productivity of employees whilst shaking up the traditional administrative hierarchy. While Thom Mayne, 2005 Pritzker prize, is not a "green" architect as such - he often displayed a lack of interest, even a slight disdain vis-ŕ-vis the principles of green architecture - the project is truly the result of a desire for sustainable development. In the last few years, an actual change took place within the Morphosis firm, notably with Tim Christ, project leader. At the same time, Morphosis worked in Europe where very strict standards apply to energy efficiency matters (Hypo bank, Klangenfurt/Austria). These lessons would later benefit projects in the United States.

That is how the federal building includes a long list of views sensitive to the environment. The narrow shape of the building precisely matches the dimensions, allowing natural light and fresh air to reach the middle of each level of offices. Covering the south façade, the system of perforated metallic panels, which is somewhat reminiscent of that of the Caltrans building in Los Angeles (2004), is used to provide solar protection to office spaces, avoiding, among others, the use of air conditioning. These panels extend at the bottom of the tower onto the public square. On the other hand, the building uses a more sophisticated version of the lift system implemented in the Caltrans project. Lifts only stop every three levels to open onto corridors decorated with Ed Ruscha's drawings. There are practically no parking spaces in the underground car park for most of the 1,700 employees working in the building on a daily basis, thus promoting the use of public transport.
The project is the result of a simple and powerful architectural gesture. Nevertheless, technological data is complex. Ove Arup Engineering and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory spent two years working on elaborating the measurement system in order to reduce the energy bill. "It's a giant step for us, Thom Mayne admitted. The federal building represents the synthesis of the architectural and ethical act." This proves that it is possible to combine sustainability with a heightened sense of creativity.