Seattle Central Library
Seattle Central Library, Public library in Downtown Seattle, United States
Description
The library extends across eleven floors within a steel and glass construction featuring slanted surfaces and transparent walls along Fourth Avenue, displaying unconventional geometric shapes and exposed structural elements.
History
The facility opened on May 23, 2004, replacing earlier buildings that had existed since 1891, with Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus serving as lead architects and the Gates Foundation contributing a significant portion of the $165 million construction cost.
Culture
This library serves over 8,000 daily visitors with free access to digital resources, work spaces and community programs, making it a central meeting point for residents from all city neighborhoods.
Practical
The library sits between Third and Fourth avenues in central Downtown, accessible via multiple bus lines and the Westlake Link Light Rail station, with barrier-free access provided through elevators and ramps at all entrances.
Did you know?
The Book Spiral extends across four floors without interruptions, encompassing roughly 410,000 volumes (412,000 sq ft) arranged without gaps between categories, creating room for future collection growth within each classification.
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Postmodern architecture emerged in the 1970s as a response to the rigid principles of modernism, reintroducing color, ornament, and historical references into contemporary building design. The movement evolved over decades, producing structures that challenge conventional forms and experiment with...
Rem Koolhaas is one of the most influential architects working today, and his buildings shape how people experience public spaces in major cities around the world. From museums to cultural centers to libraries, his designs combine practical function with bold visual ideas. You can find his work in...
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