LMN Architects
Seattle Central Library
The Seattle Central Library is the flagship of the Seattle Public Library system. Innovative in both form and function, the contemporary, glass and steel building is the third central library to occupy the city block between Fourth and Fifth Avenues.
Designed with growth in mind, the 11-story Central Library has the capacity for more than 1.5 million books and materials (compared to 900,000 in the old building). It also has moved into the digital age with more than 400 computers for public use (compared to 75 previously) as well as wireless Internet access.
The design objective, by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Ramus, in partnership with LMN, was to create a building that honors books, and at same time, is very forward-looking to reflect major technological advances in the information business. Following extensive research, the design is a direct expression of the modern library’s program and the functional requirements of its users.
Location
Seattle, Washington
Status
Completed 2004
Size
353,425 sf
Associate Architect
Office for Metropolitan Architecture
Seattle, Washington 98104
T 206 682 3460
F 206 343 9388
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