Benaroya Hall

Home to the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and occupying an entire downtown block, Benaroya Hall embraces its civic and cultural presence with a multi-layered expression of public realm. The architecture integrates the power of the music performance with the substance of urban community.

From the circular main lobby, expansive bay windows provide sweeping views of the cityscape and the bay; at night, they create an urban-scale lantern that animates the presence of the building within the downtown skyline. Active at all hours of the day and evening, a block-long arcade provides access to both concert halls as well as shops, cafes, ticket office, parking garage and an underground transit station.

Inside the concert hall, architecture and acoustics are melded into a seamless performance experience. The hall’s enclosing surfaces are made of deeply colored mahogany. The lighter hues of balcony fronts, coffered ceiling panels and stage enclosure enhance the connection of audience to stage visually and acoustically. Superior sound quality is assured by the hall’s precise geometry of wood and plaster surfaces, while the carefully detailed joinery and exposed fasteners of the wood paneling are inspired by the craftsmanship of musical instruments.

Location

Seattle, Washington

Status

Completed 1998

Size

187,000 sf 2,500-seat hall

Related Links

• > Expertise: Cultural & Civic Projects
• > Related Project: Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
• > Related Project: Lee Center for the Arts
• > The Seattle Symphony Homepage