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Local studio David Baker Architects has completed a tower with a "folded" facade on Treasure Island, a man-made island in San Francisco that is being converted into a residential neighbourhood.

The 22-storey residential building has a long two-tiered podium that stretches across the seaside site, with the tower portion pushed to the furthest side of the side and one side stretching further down to meet the rooftop of the lower podium.

David Baker Architects has completed the tallest building on San Francisco's Treasure Island development. Photo by Jeff Durkin

The ground floor of the building is pushed back slightly from the street with high expanses of glass, while the higher levels of the podium were clad in brick.

David Baker Architects (DBA) clad the tower portion in white aluminium panels and glazed tiles, with an envelope DBA principal Pedram Farashbandi described as "folded" and informed by the classic bay windows of San Francisco.

The residential building has a long two-tiered podium. Photo by Jeff Durkin

"The plan is shaped to bring daylight and views into circulation areas without compromising usable square footage," Farashbandi told Dezeen.

"We further refined this by incorporating a contemporary interpretation of the bay window, serving the same purpose as its traditional bay window; smoothly projecting the interior outward and widening the field of view from each room."

"This strategy produces the folded facade, which not only enhances the interior experience by maximizing views and varying interior volumes but also generates a dynamic rhythm across the facade."

A class-and-concrete entry programme underskirts the brick levels of the podium. Photo by Brian Kitts

The building contains high-end residences of varying sizes, with a large outdoor communal area sited on the higher portion of the podium.

Both the ground-level facade, public areas and the apartments showcase exposed concrete, while wood and ceramic elements were used heavily for the interiors throughout

Next to the reception, which features a live-edge elm desk and ceramic installation created by studio founder David Baker, is a long hall with a fabric installation that drapes down from the ceiling.

DBA founder David Baker created a ceramic installation above the live-edge elm desk in the lobby. Photo by Brian Kitts

According to Farashbandi, the structure anchors the extensive development on the artificial island that sits between San Francisco and Oakland, adjacent to the Bay Bridge.

The masterplan established a "light-colored city against the rich natural landscape", he said, and the tower was designed with light, earth-toned materials to match the extensive residential development, which will include thousands of homes and hundreds of acres of parks.

A long fabric installation crests above the communal lobby programme. Photo by Brian Kitts

The artificial island was used first as a place to hold the Golden Gate International Exposition in the 1930s, which celebrated the opening of the iconic bridge, and then used as a military base.

Under the direction of a consortium of corporate entities called Treasure Island Community Development, in partnership with the city entity the Treasure Island Development Authority, the island has been heavily remediated as it shifts to residential use.

Treasure Island was previously a military installation and is being slowly transformed into a residential development. Photo by Brian Kitts

The two entities worked with architecture studio SOM to develop the masterplan. In addition to DBA, local firm Mark Cavagnero Associates has completed a building there.

Treasure Island Community Development CEO Chris Meany told Dezeen that the extensive remediation has allowed the developers to pitch the island as a "model for sustainable urban living" citing the parks, designed by studios such as CMG Landscape Architects and Walter Hood, and connection to the bay.

"The extensive environmental restoration has transformed the island into a model for sustainable urban living. Years of work have resulted in a clean, stable, and vibrant setting ready for homes, parks, and public life," he said.

"The result is that Treasure Island today is one of the most resilient, healthiest, and most thoughtfully prepared pieces of land in the Bay Area, designed to thrive for generations to come."

In addition to the residential aspects, the Treasure Island Community Development is also bringing a training facility for the area's new professional women's soccer team to the island.

The island is layered with parks and pathways and is accesible from the city via ferry. Photo by Jeff Durkin

At a time when property values in San Francisco remain high, Meany said that he believes the development will continue to grow, geographically separate from the city but ultimately part of it.

"I see Treasure Island continuing to evolve as a model for sustainable waterfront living – where design and environment coexist, where people live closely with the Bay, and where San Franciscans rediscover what city life can truly be."

Other islands being developed to support residential and leisure activities include New York City's Governors Island and an artificial island in Copenhagen Harbour.