The Primrose Path Refresh

The pathway improvements at the San Francisco Botanical Garden within Golden Gate Park is a project that replaces the aging pathway infrastructure built in the 1950s and ‘60s with new alignments to improve garden-wide way-finding and ADA accessibility. Four newly defined pathway circulation loops were proposed that incorporate or replace the existing paths within the Botanical Garden.

For the Roads Less Traveled

INTERSTICE Architects wanted to incorporate the old pathway infrastructure the San Francisco Botanical Garden possessed for decades with new routes intended to provide access to previously less traveled gardens.  The design of boardwalks and meandering stone-walled paths maximizes the garden space for visitors while blending aesthetically with the natural environment. The sensitivity of existing mature trees and the valuable plant collections were critical parameters in the design, as well as the intent to replace redundant or overly wide pathways with plantable garden expansion.

Mindful Design

The project redefines path hierarchy, improves separation of service vehicles from visitors, and refines the clarity of way-finding using headers, path markers, and layout, all of which help to reinforce directional signage. The Botanical Garden is considered a sensitive environment with respect to the placement of new pathway pavement. The pathway improvements were carefully phased in order to be mindful of negative impacts to this resource that is vital to the Botanical Garden Society’s Mission: the collection and display of plants. The design and construction processes were guided by and structured around tree protection, arborist monitoring, and consultation with collection curatorial and gardening staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• CAMPUS/CULTURAL
• Landscape