Kiva’s San Francisco Headquarters by Studios Architecture

STUDIOS architecture designed the headquarters of peer-to-peer micro-lending platform Kiva, located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood.

Infusing Kiva’s personality and spirit of fun into the design was key. The dynamic, welcoming lounge is both spatially and culturally central to the organization, and accommodates a variety of events and celebrations, from all-hands meetings to regular happy hours and ping-pong matches. Tracked sliding panels – made from reclaimed wooden doors – allow for varying levels of visual connection between the lounge and the work areas as needed, and also break up the lines of the workstations. Work areas are 100% open plan to foster interaction and activity, and provide access to daylight and views for everyone. Formal and informal collaborative areas are dispersed throughout the space, while a variety of enclosed meeting and quiet workrooms – including several telephone “booths” – allow for privacy and concentration. The break room / kitchen features grand “family” dining table that can be used as both a shared eating space and an informal meeting area. The quiet room – complete with oversized hammock – provides an inviting retreat for rest and relaxation”, said Studios Architecture

• Location: South of Market – San Francisco, California
• Size: 17,000 sq ft
• Design: Studios architecture