Bayview New Foundation and Utilities Connection

Wooden formwork and steel reinforcement bars set up for a concrete foundation at a construction site, with soil visible in the background.

Wooden formwork and rebar are set up for a building foundation at a construction site, with dirt excavated and tools visible around the area.

Several workers are building a foundation with wooden forms and rebar at a construction site next to residential buildings on a clear day.

Five construction workers install rebar on top of a yellow vapor barrier at a building site framed with wooden forms.

Construction workers prepare and reinforce wooden forms for a concrete foundation on a sloped outdoor site with a cement truck parked nearby.

Two workers on a construction site building concrete stairs and wooden forms, with tools and construction materials scattered around.

Concrete steps and foundation under construction with wood framing and scattered work gloves at a building site.

Three construction workers prepare a sloped area with wooden forms and concrete, next to a building under renovation with scaffolding and black plastic sheeting.

Several construction workers are installing rebar along the edge of a freshly poured concrete foundation next to a building on a clear day.

Focus

New Foundation and Utilities on a Hillside Slope; Solar-Ready Roof

Location

Bayview, San Francisco

Year

2023

Client Feedback

“I really appreciated Associated Builders’ willingness to accommodate the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection’s heightened review of structural design, including the three different and separate structural engineering firms required to complete plans for the foundation replacement project.”

Project Overview:

Build a hillside foundation (with utility connections) for a new home and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), garage and driveway; finish with a solar-ready roof.

Concrete foundations are often the unsung heroes of new home construction. A strong, construction-ready foundation is key to a well-built, low maintenance, long lasting home. Associated Builders –in close collaboration with architect Peter Suen of Fifth Arch Design and structural engineer Katy Briggs of Base Design — built a tiered, three section concrete foundation, paving the way for a Minimalist design, three story, three bedroom, two bath home with a studio Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). In addition to managing the water, sewerage and electricity connections to this new development, Associated Builders built the driveway and laid sidewalk pavement, requiring an adept ability to coordinate work schedule on a high-traffic public transit corridor. After the house was completed, Associated Builders installed a solar-ready roof.

Client Vision:

Because the property is located on a hillside slope (on a once-blighted corner lot with spectacular mountain views), the architect-developer client understood the importance of working with a contractor with a proven track-record of anchoring structures on challenging slopes. Seamless collaboration with the architect, structural engineer, utilities, neighbors, and inspectors was key to the project’s success. Midway through the concrete work, a modification identified by Associated Builders and architect-developer created much desired storage space under concrete staircase, adding to the property’s livability and functionality. Driveway and utilities trench construction required a traffic management plan, to ensure neighborhood safety and continuous school and municipal bus service. Associated Builders also managed the landscaping preparation, creating a permeable garden space with rainwater barrels.

Key Takeaways:

1. Hillside Mastery: The project – with its hillside challenges and thoughtful solutions – is proof of Associated Builders’ effective coordination between homeowner, architect, building specialists, city planners and more.

2. A Forever Foundation: The home’s solid foundation, specifically designed for this plot, is key to a seismically resilient, long lasting home. The solar-ready roof enables the homeowner to plan for the future.

3. Experts in foundation construction and slope stabilization: Associated Builders’ extensive concrete construction experience enabled it to follow detailed structural engineering plans and contribute new ideas that brought value.