Presidio Knolls School

San Francisco, CA

Presidio Knolls School is a progressive Mandarin-immersion school that serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade in the SoMa district of San Francisco. After renovation of two historic buildings on campus, the U-Wing Building is the penultimate phase in the school’s master plan and marks a significant milestone in its growth and transformation.

The U-Wing Building is the new main entrance of the campus and gives the school a prominent public identity. The distinctive element of the façade is the perforated metal screen with a pattern inspired by a Chinese ice-ray design which was a common motif in wood lattice window designs in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Upon entering the front gate, students are greeted by a light-filled courtyard surrounded by classrooms and protected from the bustling urban setting.

Photography (Street Facade): Ken Gutmaker

Photography (Courtyard): Kevin Quach