Southline Parking Structure: Transforming Infrastructure into Living Design

Parking garages rarely receive architectural acclaim, but the Southline Parking Structure in South San Francisco reimagines what a utilitarian building can be. Part of Lane Partners’ Southline campus, a 27-acre life science and office development, the six-level structure merges architecture, art, and landscape to create a dynamic civic landmark rather than a purely functional facility.

Designed and brought to life by B.T. Mancini, in collaboration with DES Architects + Engineers, and featuring artwork by Lux, the garage’s façade turns infrastructure into art. Its perforated aluminum panels form a striking, multicolored botanical mural that enlivens the streetscape and celebrates the connection between the built environment and nature.

To further blur the line between structure and landscape, the team incorporated Tournesol’s Greenscreen® Trellis System, which supports climbing vines that will transform the façade into a lush, living canvas over time. These modular welded-wire panels are both lightweight and durable, with powder-coated finishes designed to last. As the greenery matures, it will soften the structure’s lines, promote biodiversity, reduce the urban heat island effect, and provide shade, privacy, and natural texture to the surroundings.

At the street level, the garage enhances community life through a public strip park featuring seating, plantings, and pedestrian-friendly pathways that create a welcoming transition between the development and nearby residences.

The Southline Parking Structure stands as a model for sustainable, community-centered design, proving that even the most functional infrastructure can contribute to the beauty, ecology, and long-term value of the urban environment.

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Photo Credit: Rob Calderwood Architectural Photography