Allied Works - Seattle Art Museum

Expansion
Allied Works
Seattle Art Museum
Seattle, Washington

Photo: Lara Swimmer

Allied Works is currently completing work on a major expansion and renovation of the Seattle Art Museum, part of a full block development planned in conjunction with a 42-story high-rise office tower for the world headquarters of Washington Mutual.

Image courtesy Allied Works

The expansion will provide additional public, exhibition and curatorial space while respecting the character and integrity of the existing structure, designed in the late 1980’s by Venturi, Scott Brown.

Photo: arcspace
Jonathan Borofsky's "Hammering Man" in front of Museum.

Through a phased expansion, the museum will grow vertically within the building volume over a period of twenty years, with the upper floors serving as office space for Washington Mutual in the interim.

“The particular context of the project, a multi-use building that must adapt functionally as the museum grows, is critical to understanding our design. The new expansion manifests change, transforming the museum experience by capturing light, connecting the visitor to the Pacific Northwest landscape, and creating a beautiful and rich experience with the art and the city.”
Brad Cloepfil

Image courtesy Allied Works

The design provides a series of five interlocking double-height galleries, creating a continuous experience of upward circulation. Separation between art and the public realm is dramatically reduced - views into the gallery levels guide visitors to the collection and temporary exhibits bring an ever-changing array of work to street level.

Image courtesy Allied Works

Ascension through the galleries is facilitated and enriched with open circulation and views that return to the city at each level, incorporating the landscape into the experience of the collection.

Image courtesy Allied Works

The expansion will include a new entrance at First Avenue and Union Street and a significantly larger restaurant and store that will better connect the museum to the activities of downtown Seattle.

Drawing courtesy Allied Architects
Ground Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Allied Architects
6th Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Allied Architects
Section

Total area: 450,000 Square feet
Estimated completion: February 2007

Client: Seattle Art Museum
Architects: Allied Works
Associate Architects: LMN Architects
Architects of Record: NBBJ Architects
Contractor: Sellen
Structural engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Building Envelope consultant: R A Heintges
MEP Lighting: ARUP

The Seattle Art Museum is in a period of growth and development with the new 8.5 acre waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park, created by Weiss/Manfredi Architects, also under construction.
Olympic Sculpture Park arcspace feature

Allied Works Architecture arcspace features

June 5, 2006





				Features
		Expansion Allied Works Seattle Art Museum Seattle, Washington Photo: Lara Swimmer Allied Works is currently completing work on a major expansion and renovation of the Seattle Art Museum, part of a full block development planned in conjunction with a 42-story high-rise office tower for the world headquarters of Washington Mutual. Image courtesy Allied Works The expansion will provide additional public, exhibition and curatorial space while respecting the character and integrity of the existing structure, designed in the late 1980’s by Venturi, Scott Brown. Photo: arcspace Jonathan Borofsky's "Hammering Man" in front of Museum. Through a phased expansion, the museum will grow vertically within the building volume over a period of twenty years, with the upper floors serving as office space for Washington Mutual in the interim. “The particular context of the project, a multi-use building that must adapt functionally as the museum grows, is critical to understanding our design. The new expansion manifests change, transforming the museum experience by capturing light, connecting the visitor to the Pacific Northwest landscape, and creating a beautiful and rich experience with the art and the city.” Brad Cloepfil Image courtesy Allied Works Image courtesy Allied Works The design provides a series of five interlocking double-height galleries, creating a continuous experience of upward circulation. Separation between art and the public realm is dramatically reduced - views into the gallery levels guide visitors to the collection and temporary exhibits bring an ever-changing array of work to street level. Image courtesy Allied Works Ascension through the galleries is facilitated and enriched with open circulation and views that return to the city at each level, incorporating the landscape into the experience of the collection. Image courtesy Allied Works The expansion will include a new entrance at First Avenue and Union Street and a significantly larger restaurant and store that will better connect the museum to the activities of downtown Seattle. Drawing courtesy Allied Architects Ground Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Allied Architects 6th Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Allied Architects Section Total area: 450,000 Square feet Estimated completion: February 2007 Client: Seattle Art Museum Architects: Allied Works Associate Architects: LMN Architects Architects of Record: NBBJ Architects Contractor: Sellen Structural engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates Building Envelope consultant: R A Heintges MEP Lighting: ARUP The Seattle Art Museum is in a period of growth and development with the new 8.5 acre waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park, created by Weiss/Manfredi Architects, also under construction. Olympic Sculpture Park arcspace feature Allied Works Architecture arcspace features June 5, 2006