Fort Mason Pier 2 | Cowell Theater and Herbst Pavilion

Fort Mason Pier 2 is a former warehouse originally built in 1912.

It was turned over to the Fort Mason Center nonprofit in 1977 to protect the historic structure and supervise its evolution into a center for the arts. The northern end of the pier was transformed into the 437-seat Cowell Theater, while the southern portion became the Herbst Pavilion, a public exhibition hall.

Working with Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, Intorba (formerly Integral Group) provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing designs for the renovations. The 255 kW photovoltaic system was designed with low-profile mounts, which do not overshadow the historic industrial silhouette of the structures. This solar array offsets 85% of the energy needs for both buildings.

Instead of energy-intensive chiller plants, airside economizing was used throughout the building. In the Cowell Theater, with its high occupancy loads, ventilation is provided through a plenum under the seating using in-floor displacement diffusers. The crowds and the lighting warm the air as it rises and is exhausted from vents placed throughout the ceiling. This climate-control system reduces energy use while increasing occupant comfort and system reliability at the entertainment venues.