Help Us Launch The SF Commons!

 

  

Hey there! we're launching this campaign to help us secure a third space for The Commons. We’ve found a beautiful space in Hayes Valley and would love to call it our home.

 

✨WHAT WE DO 

The Commons is a community space rekindling thoughtful dialogue, playful curiosity, & community, in the heart of SF. We’re building a multi-purpose space in Hayes Valley featuring a co-working cafe, communal library, event space, and a meditation studio.

 

Along with being a serendipitous place for you to converse or go deep in reflection, we’re hosting events to nourish playful curiosity and exploration. These include group junto dinners, salon talks, essay clubs, contemplative reflections, maker nights, game nights, meditations, creativity workshops, communal art, & much more.The topics will range from tools for thought to urbanism, solar punk futures to philosophy canons, and creative writing to personal flourishing modalities. 

It’ll also be a place you can go on a Friday night to listen to jazz and thumb through a book, as opposed to partying or drinking at a bar. 

THE SPACE

Our space is located in the heart of Hayes Valley with 4 main experiences: the main events areas, a meditation room, a cafe, communal library and a co-working space. Cozy reading nooks and conversation cushions will fill all liminal spaces. Every piece of decor and furniture in the space will be specially curated to evoke a sense coziness, warmth, and vitality (plants galore!).

 

THE COMMONS SPACE - HOW IT LOOKS TODAY

SPACE MOOD BOARD AND FUTURE VISION 

♥️ WHY WE'RE DOING IT

In America, studies suggests that we’ve lost half of the casual gathering places, or “third spaces”, that existed at midcentury.

 

The Commons is our dream of revitalizing cities by creating new community spaces designed for belonging, serendipity, and intellectual / emotional nourishment.

 

In talking to hundreds of friends and strangers about what was missing in San Francisco, we too often heard the yearning for community and connection. The kind that blooms in places like college campuses and small close-knit towns. In thinking back to our college days, the places we grew the most were the communities that were able to create heartfelt relationships. Spaces we were allowed to simply be, explore, and learn. Places like salon groups, student commons, and group houses.

 

Those experiences inform our deeply held belief in the power of a culture dedicated to open-ended forms of play, curiosity, and dialogue. In a city where technologists, artists, community organizers, healers, writers, and researchers are constantly pushed to work, what’s sorely missing is a respite to wonder with like-minded peers.

 

The Commons is our answer to those needs. A place where connection to self & others through mind & body catalyzes personal & communal transformation.

HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL SUPPORT US

Right now, we’re raising $60k-$70K to build and design our space in Hayes Valley. The proceeds will cover our security deposit, furnishing, plumbing + heating fixtures, and light renovations to bring our vision to life. We believe this will enable us start off on the right foot, so we can fully focus on what comes next - serving our community.

 

All of our donors in SF will be invited to a welcome party upon our opening – and any amount helps. We’ll also be launching The Commons with both a membership program and public, open hours. This allows us to both cultivate a more intimate, regular, and connected community that can easily build shared context, while also remaining accessible to anyone interested in our space and events. Donors are welcome to all our public hours and events, and everyone is more than welcome to inquire about our membership program!

 

We’re excited build something new in San Francisco and hope you'll contribute to our community effort. Please stay in touch through our Twitter , website, and newsletter as well! 

 

Warm Wishes,

 

Patricia, Adi, Jason, and Rose