Odegaard Undergraduate Library

Odegaard is an undergraduate library at the University of Washington with imposing concrete walls and angular forms characteristic of brutalist design. Inside, the space organizes study areas, computer workstations, and book collections across multiple levels to serve the needs of students from all academic programs.

The library opened in 1972 as part of the campus expansion and represented modern architectural thinking of that era through its concrete design. In 2013, a major renovation updated the interior while preserving the building's structural character, earning recognition from architectural professionals.

This library serves as a meeting place where students from all disciplines come together to study and work on research projects. People of different backgrounds and majors naturally gather in the same spaces throughout their academic journey.

Entry requires a valid student identification card issued by the university. The building houses computer workstations and specialized rooms where students can learn to use different equipment, with a technology lending program available for borrowing devices needed for coursework.

The building occupies a central position within Red Square, the campus's main open plaza where students naturally gather between classes and study sessions. This location makes it the focal point where academic and social life of the campus intersect.

Location: Seattle

Inception: 1972

Architectural style: brutalism

Address: George Washington Lane, University of Washington, Box 353080, Seattle, WA 98195-3080 USA

GPS coordinates: 47.65650,-122.31030

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:00