Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy - Presidio Trust

Golden Gate BridgeRound HouseRenovationSan Francisco, CaliforniaSize: 1,960 sq. ft.Cost: $400,000 ($50,000 for the café)Completion: 2012Completed around the same time as the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the historicRound House originally opened as a restaurant in 1938. Back then, an average of9,073 vehicles passed the Round House Restaurant every day, while in 2011 thatfigure was up to 110,113—over 40 million vehicles annually.The circular wooden structure has had many lives in its 74 years, including officesfor bridge engineers and most recently as a gift center. It is now being transformedonce again - this time through a partnership between the National Park Service,Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and the Golden Gate Bridge HighwayTransportation District—and reopens, in time for the 75th anniversary of the bridge,as the only indoor public space with a view of the bridge from the south.The renovation clears out the space, eliminating the visual clutter and maximizingone’s experience of this remarkable location. A new round central column, andrestoration of the original radial joist ceiling help to emphasize the circularity of thestructure and to draw visitor’s attention out to the panoramic view. The building isdesigned with sustainable materials—from the rapidly renewable cork flooring tothe FSC wood casework—energy efficient LED lighting, and increased insulationin the walls and ceiling.And when the view is obstructed by fog, visitors will now be able to have theirpictures taken, with the bridge in the background, in one of the two new greenscreenphoto alcoves at the back of the Round House. In addition, guided tourswill gather and depart from the Round House, for visitors wanting a more in depthvisit to the bridge than a self-guided tour can provide.EHDD 21