Suzzallo Library

Suzzallo Library is a university library at the University of Washington, defined by its Gothic Revival architecture. The reading room on the third floor features soaring ceilings, oak cabinetry, and multi-story leaded glass windows that fill the space with light.

Architects Charles Bebb and Carl Gould designed the building in 1926, blending Gothic and Tudor elements into its form. Construction occurred in phases, with the main structure completed by the mid-20th century.

The west facade displays stone portraits of major thinkers like Shakespeare, Newton, and da Vinci, representing different fields of learning. These figures reflect what the library stands for: a place where people engage in serious scholarship.

The building welcomes outside visitors, though it primarily functions as a research space for students. Allow time for a leisurely walk through the halls to fully appreciate the architectural details and expansive windows.

The building's leaded glass windows contain watermarks from medieval European papermakers, linking modern scholarship with historical manuscript production. These details show how the design intentionally weaves together past and present.

Location: Seattle

Inception: 1963

Architects: Carl Frelinghuysen Gould, Charles Bebb

Architectural style: Gothic Revival, Collegiate Gothic, Tudor architecture

Part of: Suzzallo and Allen Libraries

Website: http://lib.washington.edu/suzzallo

GPS coordinates: 47.65570,-122.30810

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02