Why tour a library? In Seattle’s Central Library, the architecture is an interesting compliment to the multimedia contained in it.
Unique Architecture of Seattle Central Library
Glass, steel, an eleven story mid-town building, cantilevered sides, bright colors, sustainable materials, energy efficient: all these elements can be found in the Seattle Central Library opened in 2004. The primary architects, Rem Koohaus of the Netherlands and Joshua Ramus of the Seattle area, designed a beautiful and functional building that is well utilized by residents and toured by visitors to the city of Seattle. It is energy efficient, built mainly of local resources, durable enough for every day usage, and low maintenance.
Guided docent tours are available frequently, but if no one is on duty, a well-marked map allows visitors to view the library themselves. We had no problem following the color-coordinated markings on a self-guided tour.
Colorful Delineations of Seattle Central Library
One of the reasons the library is easy to negotiate is the use of color to depict the various sections. All the elevators and escalators use a bright yellow designation. The children’s center uses pink or yellow for different age groups and the story hour room is a restful green. Even the teens have a separate area, painted a warm orange to give it a pop culture feel.
Probably the most dramatic use of color is found on the fourth level, also known as the “red” level. This floor contains several meeting rooms, which are decorated in various neutral colors. However, the hallways, rest rooms, and hall lighting are in shades of red giving an aura of mystique to the setting. A large glass wall allows people to look down through the red glow to the open space below.
A Place to Gain Knowledge, A Place to Relax
The Seattle Central Library brings many elements together. Building materials and design combine to create a space where people and their needs are spotlighted. This is a library; so there are books, media resources, research areas, and helpful librarians. But it is also a place where people can find a quiet nook to read or work on one of 400 public computers. It has complete Wi-Fi access so people can bring their own laptops and resource the Internet.
One area is even called “The Living Room” and a large carpeted space containing comfortable chairs, reading lamps, tables, low maintenance plants, and an array of newspapers and magazines can be found there. Monitors gently remind patrons there is no eating or drinking in this area, and, if someone nods off, a carefully modulated “reminder” awakens the sleeper.
There is a cafe on the Living Room level where snacks and drinks are available for consumption. Because there are over one million volumes and 400 public computers within the building, food is limited to the one section.
To create light and openness, the architects used glass and steel construction with an atrium rising from level three to level eleven. This brings the outdoor brightness in, even on a dreary day. There are also skylights throughout other rooms and large doorways so that as much natural light as possible will brighten the space.
Design Elements that Humanize Are Found in the Seattle Central Library
The Seattle Central Library is a place that invites people to spend time there. At the “Mixing Level,” research librarians and helpful reference personnel answer many questions. There is a language chart for those who are not fluent in English and about 40 languages are represented. A person points to the language in which assistance is needed and either a staff member who speaks that language comes forth or a computer program translates the question.
The stacks of books through the levels are intentionally kept low so that the highest shelf is about 6 feet tall. This means that the space always seems open and most people can reach any volume without aid.
The library is designed with a spiral walkway from level to level, although it is camouflaged as a square rather than circular. On the floor of each level, the Dewey Decimal System numbering or the category of book is found embedded in the floor. Thus the stacks are easily negotiated.
For touring the library, it was suggested that we take the escalator or elevator to level ten, walk to the overlook and peer down the atrium to level three, and then walk down the spiral through the various floors. This gave us a good overview of the entire building and its colorful and user-friendly environment.
Visit a library as a tourist? In Seattle, it is a great place to spend a few hours and be surprised by what can be found.
Additional Source: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 20, 2004
Ethel Brodie - Intrigued by the world, encouraged to write my observations, published in newspapers and magazines, and sharing special places.
Join the Conversation