Seattle Library

This is -by far- one of the most inspiring projects I know. And its not just the skin or the structure. Its the
new program relations, that make of this more than a mere library, but an enhaced public space around
knowledge.
Architects: OMA + LMN
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Key Personnel: Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus (Partner-in-Charge), with Mark von HofZogrotzki, Natasha Sandmeier, Meghan Corwin, Bjarke Ingels, Carol Patterson
Consultants: Arup, Bruce Mau Design, Davis Langdon, Dewhurst Macfarlane, Front, HKA, Hoffman
Construction, Inside/Oustide, Jones & Jones, Kugler Tillotson, Magnusson Klemencic, McGuire,
Michael Yantis, Pielow Fair, Quinze & Milan, Seele
Client: Seattle Public Library
Program: Central library for Seattles 28-branch library system, including 33,700 sqm of hq,
reading room, book spiral, mixing chamber, meeting platform, living room, staff floor, childrens
collection, and auditorium, and 4,600 sqm of parking.
Project year: 1999-2004
Constructed Area: 38,300 sqm
Budget: US $169.2 M
Photographs: Ramon Prat, Philippe Ruault, Iwan Baan, Fernando Herrera
The Seattle Central Library redefines the library as an institution no longer exclusively dedicated to the
book, but as an information store where all potent forms of medianew and oldare presented equally
and legibly. In an age where information can be accessed anywhere, it is the simultaneity of all media
and, more importantly, the curatorship of their content that will make the library vital.
Flexibility in contemporary libraries is conceived as the creation of generic floors on which almost any
activity can occur. Programs are not separated, rooms or individual spaces not given unique characters.
In practice, this means that bookcases define generous (though nondescript) reading areas on opening
day, but, through the collections relentless expansion, inevitably come to encroach on the public space.
Ultimately, in this form of flexibility, the library strangles the very attractions that differentiate it from other
information resources.

Instead of its current ambiguous flexibility, the library could cultivate a more refined approach by
organizing itself into spatial compartments, each dedicated to, and equipped for, specific duties. Tailored
flexibility remains possible within each compartment, but without the threat of one section hindering the
others.
Our first operation was to comb and consolidate the librarys apparently ungovernable proliferation of
programs and media. By combining like with like, we identified programmatic clusters: five of stability and
four of instability.

Each platform is a programmatic cluster that is architecturally defined and equipped for maximum,
dedicated performance. Because each platform is designed for a unique purpose, their size, flexibility,
circulation, palette, structure, and MEP vary.
The spaces in between the platforms function as trading floors where librarians inform and stimulate,
where the interface between the different platforms is organizedspaces for work, interaction, and play.

By genetically modifying the superposition of floors in the typical American high rise, a building emerges
that is at the same time sensitive (the geometry provides shade or unusual quantities of daylight where
desirable), contextual (each side reacts differently to specific urban conditions or desired views), iconic.
The problem of traditional library organization is flatness. Departments are organized according to floor
plans. Each floor is discreet; the unpredictable fits of growth and contraction in certain sections are,
theoretically, contained within a single floor.

In 1920, the Seattle Public Library had no classification for Computer Science; by 1990 the section had
exploded. As collections unpredictably swell, materials are dissociated from their categories. Excess
materials are put in the basement, moved to off-site storage, or become squatters of another, totally
unrelated department.

The Book Spiral implies a reclamation of the much-compromised Dewey Decimal System. By arranging
the collection in a continuous ribbonrunning from 000 to 999the subjects form a coexistence that
approaches the organic; each evolves relative to the others, occupying more or less space on the ribbon,
but never forcing a rupture.

HTTP://WWW.SPL.ORG/LOCATIONS/CENTRAL-LIBRARY/CEN-PLAN-A-VISIT/CEN-FLOOR-BYFLOOR-HIGHLIGHTS

LEVEL 0: PARKING
The parking garage can be reached from Spring Street and has 143 stalls.
LEVEL 1: FOURTH AVENUE
Book return/check out - Sign-up for a Library card or check out or return
items on this floor. The 1,200-square-foot lobby also has self-checkout stations,
public computers, a welcome desk and public pay phones.
Faye G. Allen Children's Center - The imaginative 15,000-square-foot
children's area includes 80,000 items - books, DVDs, CDs and more. Selfcheckout is available. Story times in many different languages are held in the
green, triangle-shaped Anne Marie Gault Story Hour Room. The area has 22
computers, a family restroom, boys' and girls' restrooms, and an area for parking strollers.
Microsoft Auditorium - Small performances, lectures, slide shows and speaking engagements are held in
the 275-seat Microsoft Auditorium. The back of the Auditorium can expand, creating an additional 150
seats for larger programs.
Evelyn W. Foster Learning Center Literacy, ESL and World Language resources are on Level 1. The Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) is
located here as well. This area has language learning workstations with audio, video and computer
language learning programs, and a technology lab that provides access to adaptive technology, as well as
ESL & Literacy learning resources. Restrooms are here as well. There is artwork by Ann Hamilton - a 7,200square-foot maple floor featuring 11 of the languages found in the Library's collection. The letters are
backward like the typeface traditionally used to print books. The backward letters recreate the experience
of learning to read, where abstract symbols become meaningful.
LEVEL 2: STAFF
Level 2 is for staff members and not open to the public. It has shipping, receiving, book sorting and
technical and collection services.
LEVEL 3: THE NORCLIFFE FOUNDATION LIVING ROOM/FIFTH AVENUE
Level 3 is called the "Living Room," and includes areas to gather or read. This
room is open and airy - the ceiling is 50 feet high. The bright, colorful carpets
are patterns of lifelike plants that match the plantings outside the Fifth Avenue
entrance. This floor has the following:
Book return/check out
FriendShop (gift shop)
Chocolati coffee cart with seating for 20
Starbucks Teen Center
Feature film video and DVD collection
Maria Lee Koh and Family Fiction Collection
Large print collection
New books
Popular periodicals and newspapers
Public pay phones
The base of the atrium is located on this level. The dramatic space allows patrons to look up and see the
meeting rooms on Level 4, and the Charles Simonyi Mixing Chamber on Level 5.
LEVEL 4: MEETING

Level 4 has four major meeting rooms. The corridor walls, floors and ceilings are
painted in deep reds and pinks, while the meeting rooms are calm, neutral colors
- such as brown and gray. Two Boeing Technology Training Center labs are used
for public and staff computer instruction.
LEVEL 5: CHARLES SIMONYI MIXING CHAMBER
The 19,500-square-foot Mixing Chamber is where
patrons go for help with general questions and
research. This floor has the following:
Large computer lab
Job Resource Center
Job and career books
Scanners and image editing equipment
Current telephone directories
Encyclopedias
Community bulletin board
Public review documents and income tax forms
Legrady Art Installation, "Making Visible The Invisible"
Study tables
The character of the space is silvery and high tech - the ceiling is black and the floor aluminum. This floor
also has the largest configuration of technology in one spot 140 computers and is the entry to the
Books Spiral. The Quick Information Center provides telephone reference service on this floor.
LEVELS 6 - 9: BOOKS SPIRAL
The Books Spiral is four floors of book stacks, connected by gentle ramps. The
majority of the nonfiction collection 75 percent of the entire collection is
located on the Books Spiral. This lets the nonfiction collection exist in one
continuous run, and avoids the problem of having to move books into other
rooms or floors as the collection expands. The spiral lets all patrons including
people with disabilities move throughout the entire collection without
depending on stairs, escalators or elevators. Nonfiction videos, DVDs, CDs, and
books on tape are shelved together on Level 7. Escalator and elevator stops and
floor mats throughout the Books Spiral are labeled with Dewey Decimal System numbers to help people
find the items on each floor.
Books Spiral 6 - Magazines, newspapers, government publications, small conference room
Books Spiral 7 (000 - 300) - The Maffei Family Aviation Room, the Barry A. Ackerley Business
Collection, nonfiction media collection, science, public restrooms
Books Spiral 8 (301 - 799) - Peter F. Donnelly Arts and Literature Collection, music CDs, two music
practice rooms, the Kreielsheimer Foundation Performance Arts Room, regional arts collection
Books Spiral 9 (800 - 999 and biographies) - Genealogy, the Maritz Map Room, A. Scott Bullitt
History and Biography Collection, Eulalie and Carlo Scandiuzzi Writers' Room, small conference room
LEVEL 10: BETTY JANE NARVER READING ROOM
The light-filled, nearly 12,000-square-foot Reading Room has seating for 400, a
40-foot ceiling and views of Elliott Bay. The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Seattle
Room is located on this level, overlooking the Reading Room. You may reach
Level 10 by escalator or elevator.
LEVEL 11: HEADQUARTERS
Level 11 has administrative offices, including the city librarian's office, the
Virginia Burnside Board Room, Human Resources and staff lunch room.

CENT
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LIBRA
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MEETI
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ROOM
S:
OVER
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A wide range of facilities is available for use at the Central Library. The spaces can accommodate a
variety of activities, from large events to small, informal meetings. Spaces available include:
Microsoft Auditorium - Theater Seating
Fixed seating for 275 + space for 100 overflow
(50 additional people can be accommodated with use of a special projection screen
Meeting rooms seating from 25 to 200 people
Additional spaces for special events

For a list of meeting rooms and event spaces, see the Meeting Room Capacity chart.

See the Facility Availability and Rates page to determine hours and rates. Rates and fees vary
depending on the space requested and type of event planned.

To determine if space will be available for the date and time needed, complete and submit the
following form:
Request for Meeting Room Availability.

Events services staff will respond to this request within two (2) business days, indicate availability of
space, discuss fee information and request more details about your event from your authorized
contact person.

IMPORTANT: Please be sure not to make announcements or print materials with an event date until
you have submitted your signed Facility Use Agreement.