Mission Rock
Mission Rock is a newly developed residential complex in the Bay Area of San Francisco, USA. With two residential towers boasting multiple amenity spaces, Michaelis Boyd was brought on board to create a harmonious, practical yet luxurious scheme.
ondon and New York-based architecture and interior design studio Michaelis Boyd was appointed to complete the amenity spaces for the Canyon and Verde residential towers in Mission Rock, San Francisco, which opened in 2024. Speaking with darc, Rina Kukaj, Partner at Michaelis Boyd’s NYC studio and Mission Rock’s lead designer walks us through the project’s design intentions and executions.
Both towers offer residents spectacular views over the San Francisco Bay and into the iconic Giants’ baseball stadium. Working in collaboration with real estate company Tishman Speyer, which Michaelis Boyd has crafted a series of projects with over the last decade, the areas developed by the team included entrance lobbies, mailrooms, lounges, games rooms, screening room, arcade, communal workspaces and kitchens, a podcast room, meeting rooms and external terraces, all aimed at enhancing convenience and fostering a sense of community.
Joining the project at a later stage, Kukaj and the team only had a couple of months to bring the brief to fruition for these varied spaces. The design concept for both towers was influenced by the studio’s approach to its renowned hospitality projects, blending the functionality of public spaces with the comforts and warmth typically found in a private home.
“The brief was to provide amenities that felt like an extension of a home filled with energy and colour to reflect the San Francisco palette: a blend of many styles and influences. Some of the forms and colour palette lean on the mission revival with a touch of mid-century modern,” she explains.
“We have been working with Tishman Speyer for several years, so we know each side’s general requirements and interests. Equally, we share a common ground on a desire to think outside the box and create something wholesome and unexpected for each project we approach. Here, it was no different. Mission Rock Bay Area was a fresh canvas with ample opportunity to achieve a new community and a sense of place.
“The project had a very short schedule for the interior design, so we all had to focus to ensure the design was on point from the very beginning.”
When asked what role the decorative lighting played, Kukaj explains that the approach for each area varied due to the building’s constraints or levels of natural light. “Some of the amenity spaces were located within the core of the building, where access to natural light was limited. These areas required special attention in terms of artificial lighting. Our intention was not to replicate natural light, but to use decorative lighting to introduce an additional layer of ambience and enhance the overall interior experience.” Some areas consisted of in-house custom-designed pieces by Michaelis Boyd, and elsewhere the team specified fixtures from brands including Allied Maker, Astro Lighting, Circa Lighting, Lightology, Pure Edge, Rich Brilliant Willing, Roll & Hill, Sonneman – A Way of Light, Tech Lighting, Vibia, and Visual Comfort. These pieces were chosen to ensure the ‘eclectic home meets elevated boutique hospitality spirit’ came across. The lobby at Canyon features two custom-designed pendants, designed by Michaelis Boyd and fabricated by PTY Lighting, that respond to the expansive volume and ceiling height of the space. These fixtures were created not only to provide a sense of scale but also to introduce an element of playfulness, setting the tone for the eclectic and inviting atmosphere of the interior.
“We wanted to ensure this layer to the interior provided the additional touches of playfulness and charm throughout the amenities.”
Regarding the architectural lighting, the team made a conscious effort to keep these details simple and low profile. “The decorative lighting was carefully curated to accentuate key areas and provide the necessary functionality. Rather than relying solely on general illumination, we layered the interior with smaller, focused accents of decorative lighting. This approach not only addressed the practical needs of the space but also complemented its eclectic style, adding depth and visual interest throughout.
“Lighting is critical to a space. It not only supports functionality, but it also adds an additional layer of artistry to a project, both interior as well as exterior.” Local artwork was a key element to the interior spaces and formed a core part of the design’s brief from the very beginning. “From the outset, we were interested in local art and local artists. We also wanted to ensure the art complemented the subtlety yet boldness of the interior design palette. Ownership procured the art with support from an agency, but overall, it was a very collaborative process with all involved, and we are happy with the outcome.”
Reflecting on this as their first project in San Francisco, the Michaelis Boyd NYC studio is very pleased with the finished product. “The important thing is the amenities are continually in use by the tenants of the building,” says Kukaj. “They are using the spaces in so many ways and for so many purposes, which is wonderful to see.
“The project has been well received by our clients and, most importantly, by the new tenants. The amenities are always in use, and more recently, the project has won best amenities in San Fran, so we are delighted.”
