Kilroy Oyster Point: A Space of Impact

Kilroy Oyster Point (KOP) is more than a life science campus on the San Francisco Bay — it’s a space of impact. Designed for innovation and wellness, it brings together architecture, art, and landscape to create something deeper than design: a place that transforms the human experience of work.

For me, this project is one of the best I’ve ever worked on. It’s also the crown jewel for my longtime client, Kilroy Realty Corporation, whose campuses are redefining creative office environments up and down the West Coast.

 
Contemporary glass building exterior at Kilroy Oyster Point campus.
 

A Campus Built for People

KOP sits right on the Bay, just three miles north of the San Francisco airport. From the outside, it’s impressive — but what makes it special is what happens inside and around it. The lush green spaces, designed by the same architect who created New York’s High Line, give scientists and innovators a place to breathe. In high-pressure fields like life sciences, that chance to step away from your desk, find fresh air, and reset your mind is priceless.

This is why I love photographing campuses like this. They’re not just buildings — they’re environments designed to support human potential.

 
Landscape architecture and pathways at Kilroy Oyster Point campus.

From Art to Architecture to Storytelling

Our work at KOP began with the art installations. Documenting the pieces, I treated the artists as heroes, placing their vision in the context of this massive project. That led us into architectural photography of the campus itself, and eventually into a series of films: two artist documentaries and one leasing video.

It wasn’t just about pictures or footage. It was about showing how art, science, and community intersect here — creating a place where ideas thrive.

Collaboration at Scale

KOP was a powerhouse project that demanded everything from us — production planning, model casting, drone photography, even Homeland Security clearances for aerial shoots. I called my crew, Jesse and Leah, and we got to work. Leah handled model casting and production planning, Jesse kept the massive shoots running smoothly on-site, and I focused on finding the angles that would make every image sing.

Together, we managed the models, clients, crew, food, coffee, parking, and yes — even navigating TSA and Homeland Security when our drone shoots caused some raised eyebrows. (We’re good friends now, but back then it was a little tense.)

These are the kinds of projects that remind me why I love working at scale. They take everything — but they give back even more.

Contemporary glass building exterior at Kilroy Oyster Point campus.
Aerial overview of Kilroy Oyster Point buildings and waterfront setting.
Outdoor amphitheater and gathering space at Kilroy Oyster Point campus.

A Campus That Lives Beyond the Build

KOP has everything I love: creative office buildings, bold art, and even a giant amphitheater that lights up at night like a sea of candles. It’s the kind of project that keeps making an impact for years. We documented it from dirt lots to lush courtyards, and the story is still unfolding.

For Kilroy, these images and films continue to bring tenants running. For the people who work here, it’s a daily environment of beauty, wellness, and inspiration. And for me, it’s proof of what happens when you capture the human side of architecture.

Spaces of Impact
KOP isn’t just another commercial campus. It’s a reminder of why I do what I do. When architecture, art, and landscape come together with vision, they create spaces that change lives.

That’s what makes this a Space of Impact — and why I’ll never forget the privilege of documenting it.