architectural resources group: national maritime museum

‘national maritime museum’ by architectural resources group in san francisco, california all images © david wakely

california based architectural resources group has recently completed the ‘national maritime museum’ located in san francisco, california, USA. this original nautical style building on the city’s bay has been recently restored and represented to the public. designed by architect william a. mooser III. initially built in 1936, the established structure was a large scale works progress administration (WPA) project during the great depression. views of the golden gate bridge and alcatraz prison are presented through porthole shaped windows reminiscent of an ocean liner. the public bathing facilities are still located on subterranean levels while above ground galleries contain and feature maritime artifacts.

view of museum from the san francisco bay

colorful artwork by beniamino bufano, hilaire hiler, and sargent johnson has been restored to become a focal point both on the exterior and within the interior. the slate  surface of sargent johnson’s extensive facade bas-relief was cleaned with an ultrasonic technique to mask graffiti. the entire envelope was additionally waterproofed to protect from leakages in addition to replacement roof elements to match the original selection. stainless steel clad windows were rehabilitated to remove signs of corrosion and gaps for infiltration.

seating adjacent to the museum allows visitors to view the bay

undulating white walls support the structure’s nautical theme

sargent johnson bas-relief near entrance

beniamino bufano sculptures under the portico

(left) beniamino bufano sculpture (right) hilaire hiler’s colorful tile mural

(left) detail of aqua themed creatures (right) extensive mural borders stairs

views of alcatraz through rounded room with steel clad windows

(left) views to the bay from the interior (right) nautical themed flooring

views of adjacent park the ladies lounge

color wheel for ceiling of the ladies lounge

hilaire hiler’s underwater themed mural continues into the gallery

nautical artifacts

(left) mural detail (right) mural wraps the entire fenestration

at sunset

project info:

architect: architectural resources group, inc., pier 9, the embarcadero, suite 107, san francisco, ca 94111 location: 900 beach street, san francisco, california client: craig kenkel, superintendent, national park service, san francisco maritime national historical park, building e, fort mason center, san francisco, ca 94123 date of occupancy (completion): march 2008 gross square footage: 45,540 sf site area: 11.5 acres
 contractor: brett taber, taber construction 2278 pike court, concord, ca 94520 
 photographer credit: david wakely, david wakely photography, 544 vermont street san francisco, ca 94107 collaborators: structural engineers: soha engineers, 48 colin p. kelly street, san francisco, ca 94107 art conservator: ann rosenthal fine art conservation, po. box 150384, san rafael, ca awards/certifications: california preservation foundation 2011 preservation design award project team: david wessel, fapt, principal architectural conservator stephen j. farneth, faia, principal architect paul nachtsheim, associate architect jason wright, project designer