Project 1B — Seattle Central Library

After researching Koolhaus’ Seattle Central Library, the architect’s thought process was questioned as to whether the project qualified as successful. OMA’s initial program diagram conveyed the initial boxes of the entire library, which they knew were the programs that were going to remain the same. Furthermore, the remaining programs came in between these boxes, which eventually became the skin of the entire library.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM:

Koolhaus planned on shifting the boxes to make his potential visitors experience different views. Depending on where one is in the library, their view was altered. From floors 11–12, the water was evident, floors 7–10 conveyed the mountain, and floors 5–6 had the view of the city.

CIRCULATION SYSTEM:

There are three ways to circulate around this library: stairs, elevators, or escalators. The escalators are painted in a flamboyant lime-green color so that one may navigate through the library in an easy fashion. An interesting aspect discovered was the fact that the elevator does not stop on floor 05, which is the meeting room floor. This floor is a very secluded part of the library in comparison to the other public areas found. The most prominent part of the Seattle Central Library has to do with the Book Spiral, which is what the axonometric drawing is trying to convey. When one is roaming around the book spiral floors, the void in between has a clear view of the living room floor, which has shelves in a radiating pattern. This idea of radiating can potentially tie in with the idea of the “spiral” part of the book spiral. Although the book spiral is not a spiral, and many argue that it is rather a zig-zag, Koolhaus could have intended on making one perceive that they are in a spiral being that is their view.

ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS:

Although Koolhaus’ initial proposal of the Seattle Central Library was extremely clear and simple, the plans contradict the simplicity on the exterior. As conveyed through the different colored categories, the organization of the plans are not in a particular way. Furthermore, the question arises as to whether Koolhaus’ form of space was completely developed or not.

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS:

The way that Koolhaus structured the library was also questionable. For the most part, there are beams that are used to hold the floors above it. In addition, the trusses that are used are found on the book spiral floor and on one side of the meeting room floor. Throughout the 02–03 floors there are angled beams used, which are awkwardly placed within the space. Furthermore, in order for the entire library to be put together, Koolhaus used a exoskeleton system that consisted of steel diagonals and glass, which covered the entire library and simultaneously held the initial programs and latter programs together.

MATERIAL SYSTEMS:

The use of materials in a structure is an essential. Material in this library gives off the sense of open vs. close, light vs. dark, etc. For example, within the reading room floor and headquarter, there is an interesting play of material in which Koolhaus uses a soft cloud like mass floating on top of the contrasted metal exoskeleton structure. In other instances of the library, such as the meeting room, it is painted in shades of red vs. beige.

SPATIAL SYSTEMS:

The light blue conveys the initial programs that OMA and Koolhaus decided would not change throughout the project. These are the initial boxes in the library.

Dina Elfaham & Blake Antes