Client: Engineered Artworks

Overview

Welcome Tower was commissioned by Cutwater SF and Unison in collaboration with the Port of San Francisco and the San Francisco Arts Commission for a year-long installation at Pier 14 on San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront. Welcome Tower is a reconceptualization of one of the most iconic symbols of San Francisco, Coit Tower, in an exploration of the evolving identity of San Francisco.

Goals

This sculpture re-imagines the iconic landmark of Coit Tower by using reclaimed solid wood front doors from residences throughout San Francisco's architecturally diverse neighborhoods. Unison hoped to bring awareness to the challenges facing communities in the bay, inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers, and reaffirm our belief that the soul of this city should be an open door to everyone.

Process

Welcome Tower is a collaborative piece using a diverse group of local steelworkers, fabricators, carpenters, gilders, decorative painters, sculptors, and muralists - just some of the many people that give San Francisco it’s unique voice. Sean Orlando managed the fabrication of the monumental steel frame, while co-Lead Artist Tania Seabock's decorative painting and gold-leafing graces the exterior of the piece. Artists from the Five Ton Crane Arts Group contributed miniature vignettes, viewable through the doors' peepholes, that exemplify life in San Francisco.