The Lodge at the Presidio

David Wakely

• Architects

The Lodge at the Presidio adapts an 1897 two-company enlisted men’s barracks building for use as a contemporary 42-room hotel. The building is centrally located in the former-military-post-turned-national-park, in a row of five identical buildings. Adjacent to the Parade Ground, Visitor Center, and Crissy Field, it has stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, and downtown San Francisco. The architecture, furnishings, and artwork all speak to the building’s military past and to the site’s evolution into a National Park, grounding the building firmly in time and place.

-Rehabilitate the historic barracks for hospitality while preserving significant spaces and features, and retaining an understanding of the original plan where new guest rooms were constructed. The lobby and dining room retain original paired entrances and central stairs, and a historic dormitory. Great care was taken to distinguish infill construction from the historic architecture through differentiated details and materials. Historic cast iron columns, wood beams, wood flooring, and exposed wood trusses are showcased throughout.

-Celebrate the Presidio’s military history and park setting. Interior design and artwork draw from military themes through color, patterns, and metals. Nature enters the building through murals, color, and orienting spaces to magnificent surrounding views.

-Seismically strengthen the building with minimal impact to the architecture. Through Performance Based Engineering, an innovative approach employing a system of fiber-reinforced polymer and shotcrete was implemented.

-Integrate sustainable design throughout the project - starting with building reuse and restoration of the entire building envelope. Water and energy efficiency measures, drought tolerant plantings, electric vehicle parking, and subsurface stormwater infiltration provide an integrated sustainable approach. The project anticipates achieving LEED Gold.

Prior to rehabilitation, the building was vacant since 2000. Conversion to a hotel has bestowed a vibrant new life, drawing people from across the country to enjoy the building and the entire Presidio National Historic Landmark District.

Material Used :

Exterior and Building Envelope

Abatron, Conservation Technology, and Smith & Co. (window restoration)

Apoc and Grace (waterproofing)

Cabot and Fyfe (GFRP and CFRP)

CertainTeed and UltraTouch (insulation)

Coldspring (stone pavers)

Construction Specialties (equipment screen louvers)

Edison Coatings, Prosoco, H. C. Muddox, and Sika (masonry restoration)

Garaventa (wheelchair lift)

Davis Colors (integral color concrete pigment)

Loll Designs, Made Goods, and Janus et Cie (furniture)