Round Museum

When is a hole in the wall not a hole in the wall? When it is designed that way.

07.01.24

Eight is a lovely number, two Stacked Rounds that become infinity when they lay down. It is the Eighth Roundiversary of the official Round Museum, debuting in 2016 with 80 “objects” in four themed galleries. The museum collection has grown steadily every day since with more than 2,500+ Rounds of just about every color, size and... well... you know what shape. We’ve been lucky enough to have more than 110 contributors share their Round treasures and stories –– thanks so much to each of you! But, who’s counting?

HAPPY EIGHTH ROUNDIVERSARY!
06.30.24

Hey, Jack, in your search for the golden egg you were probably looking under every goose and assessing the outer shell color. And yet, whatya know? Turns out the inside is the key! But how many eggs do you have to crack to find one?

06.29.24

Drive a little too fast into the curb, and you might be leaving a curbcap behind. Just want to know what the tire looks like…

06.28.24

The Athenæum of Philadelphia is a special collections library with a concentration in architecture and decorative arts, featuring trade catalogues, pattern books, periodicals documenting interior design, and an extensive reference collection of directories, bibliographies, monographs, manuscripts and archives of architectural firms, stained glass studios, and decorative painters. This 1867 globe by Thomas Malby & Son of London cannot be missed:

Steinhart Aquarium is one of the most biologically diverse and interactive aquariums on Earth. Home to nearly 60,000 live animals, representing more than 1,000 unique species, it offers guests an unprecedented view of underwater and terrestrial habitats. Since 1923, it has developed a colorful history of firsts. From becoming the first public aquarium to display flashlight fish and coconut octopuses to advancing exploration of the ocean’s mysterious “twilight zone,” innovation and scientific excellence are in our DNA.

California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco, CA

The Crystal Pool was once vibrant and splashy, but now the dry abandoned space is a chain-linked enclosure for windblown leaves, trash and lost balls. Your errant kick cleared the fence, didn't it?

06.25.24

That utility access point cover in the sidewalk near you carries a message. Sometimes this "manhole badge" clearly reads "gas" or "storm," but what's the F all about? Foul water? Fire lines? The Future? Is the future down there? Roll away the Round and find out...

06.24.24

The Crane Company Building was built in 1905 out of cast concrete faced with brick in the Kensington warehouse and manufacturing area just north of Girard Avenue. It was designed by Philadelphia architect Walter Ballinger, an early innovator of concrete building techniques. The long wedge-shaped building was used as a plumbing warehouse, and had an adjacent three-story stable for delivery vehicles and draft horses. It was later used to process frozen seafood.

The fourth tallest building in Manhattan is the 73-story One Vanderbilt skyscraper, which opened in 2020 at 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. The Summit is an observation deck at top that features a variety of art installations to challenge the senses at great heights. Giant windows. Mirrored floors. Views of New York City. The "Affinity" room features floating chrome Rounds that you can bounce around and play with.

06.22.24