Seattle Public Library

Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit The Seattle Public Library for the first time.  I was mesmerized by its supreme architecture and clever design.  The simplicity of the materials, but the complexity of its construction has made of this building an architectural icon in the United States.   I was also lucky enough to have this building as my hotel view during my stay in Seattle.

 

The Central Building for the Seattle Public Library was designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus of OMA/REX.  I found the space really inspiring, so much that I would like to share some of my favourite shots.

 

Next time you are in Seattle, this is a must see building.

 

Sculpture at the Main Entrance

 

Achitectural View

 

Flooring

 

Accent Wall – Children’s Section

 

  Walls and Ceiling Structure

 

Glass Reflection

 

  Bookworms

 Auditorium

 

Ceiling Reflection

 

Exterior View

 

Exterior View

 

 

Thanks to the magic of Wikipedia here are the facts

- The Seattle Central Library is the flagship library of the Seattle Public Library system. The 11-story (185 feet or 56 meters high) glass and steel building in downtown Seattle, Washington was opened to the public on Sunday, May 23, 2004. Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus of OMA/REX were the principal architects and Hoffman Construction Company of Portland, Oregon, was the general contractor. The 362,987 square foot (34,000 m²) public library can hold about 1.45 million books and other materials, features underground public parking for 143 vehicles, and includes over 400 computers open to the public. Over 2 million individuals visited the new library in its first year. It is the third Seattle Central Library building to be located on the same site at 1000 Fourth Avenue, the block bounded by Fourth and Fifth Avenues and Madison and Spring Streets. The library has a unique, striking appearance, consisting of several discrete "floating platforms" seemingly wrapped in a large steel net around glass skin. Architectural tours of the building began on June 5, 2006.

 

 

Seattle Public Library by Iván Meade

Iván Meade is a local designer and principal of Meade Design Group, a multidisciplinary interior design and graphic design studio in the heart of downtown Victoria B.C. Canada – www.themeadegroup.com