Golden Gate

The iconic color of the bridge, known officially as International Orange, was originally intended only as a primer coating for the steel. When the structure arrived in pieces from foundries in the eastern United States, the architect Irving Morrow noticed that the red-orange hue contrasted beautifully with the cool tones of the surrounding hills and the frequent, heavy fog. He fought to keep the color, arguing it would provide high visibility for ships passing through the strait while highlighting the bridge's massive scale against the natural landscape. That choice ultimately defined the visual identity of the entrance to the bay.