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Collection by Diana Budds

Unbuilt San Francisco

Visions of the future have long captivated audiences—science-fiction fans, designers, and architects alike. A new exhibition organized by the AIA San Francisco and the Center for Architecture + Design for the upcoming Architecture in the City festival (September 1–30) explores a hyperlocal look at various "futures." Unbuilt San Francisco is divided into two parts: In "Dreams Deferred" spy conceptual proposals that will never be built or early iterations of some of the city's most beloved buildings. "On the Boards" presents projects that will be realized in the future, such as the Treasure Island master plan to be completed in 2020. The exhibition is on view now through November. A sampling of the works is in the following slideshow.

For more conceptual experimental and visionary architecture from the past, visit our slideshow on Never Built: Los Angeles.

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Dreams Deferred: Folding Water by Kuth Ranieri Architects, digital rendering, courtesy of Kuth Ranieri Architects, rendering completed: 2009
Dreams Deferred: Folding Water by Kuth Ranieri Architects, digital rendering, courtesy of Kuth Ranieri Architects, rendering completed: 2009
Dreams Deferred: Transamerica Corporate Headquarters Tower by William L. Pereira and Associates, early concept drawings c. 1960s, collection of Johnson Fain Archives, courtesy Nevada Museum of Art
Dreams Deferred: Transamerica Corporate Headquarters Tower by William L. Pereira and Associates, early concept drawings c. 1960s, collection of Johnson Fain Archives, courtesy Nevada Museum of Art
Dreams Deferred: Treasure Island by Rod Freebairn-Smith and Janet Crane, digital rendering by Rod Freebairn-Smith, rendering completed: 2005
Dreams Deferred: Treasure Island by Rod Freebairn-Smith and Janet Crane, digital rendering by Rod Freebairn-Smith, rendering completed: 2005
On the Boards: Treasure Island Master Plan by SOM; digital rendering Courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP and dbox; estimated completion: 2020
On the Boards: Treasure Island Master Plan by SOM; digital rendering Courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP and dbox; estimated completion: 2020
Dreams Deferred: Designs for United Nations Capitol, San Francisco, by Vincent G. Raney, c. 1945, courtesty of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Collection of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf
Dreams Deferred: Designs for United Nations Capitol, San Francisco, by Vincent G. Raney, c. 1945, courtesty of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Collection of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf
Dreams Deferred: Ferry Building proposal by William Merchant, courtesy Environmental Design Archives, College of Environmental Design, U.C. Berkeley.
Dreams Deferred: Ferry Building proposal by William Merchant, courtesy Environmental Design Archives, College of Environmental Design, U.C. Berkeley.