Pier 17 is a distinctive waterfront property located along San Francisco’s busy Embarcadero. The building is home to the Swiss Consulate as well as Swissnex, an organization dedicated to connecting Switzerland with the world through education, research, and innovation.
For this assignment, I was hired to focus on capturing both the civic and cultural roles the building plays. Its prominent location on the Embarcadero, combined with its international tenants, gives Pier 17 a presence that is both local and global. My approach was to show how the architecture, interiors, and surroundings support that mission, balancing formality with openness.
Rather than concentrating on individual details alone, I worked with my client to create a cohesive visual narrative of the space as it’s experienced—how people move through it, how light interacts with the interiors, and how the building relates to the waterfront context. The images are intended to communicate purpose and identity as much as function.
Projects like this highlight how photography can support institutions whose work extends beyond a single place. By documenting Pier 17 and its tenants, the photographs help convey the role the building plays as a bridge between San Francisco and an international community focused on collaboration and innovation.
