Seattle Asian Art Museum to reopen after LMN Architects revamp
by Stu Robarts | 03 Feb 2020
– Wendy Pautz
The Seattle Asian Art Museum will reopen this weekend after a $56m (€51m, £43m) renovation and expansion of its historic 1933 Art Deco building by LMN Architects.
The project, which has taken 12 years from planning through design and construction, was the first major renovation of the 64,250sq ft (6,000sq m) facility since it was constructed.
Most notably, preservation work has been carried out on the building and its Art Deco façade and its total gallery space has been increased from 12,276sq ft (1,140sq m) to 16,173sq ft (1,503sq m).
Other work has included updating the museum’s infrastructure, upgrading its climate control and seismic system for protecting exhibits, improving accessibility and better integrating the building with Volunteer Park, in which it is situated.
A new glass lobby and two new portals ensure the museum is now better connected to the park, while a new 2,650sq ft (246sq m) gallery, education studio, conservation centre and community meeting room has been added.
Wendy Pautz, design partner at LMN Architects, said: "Our design brings the Art Deco structure back to its origins, but enhanced with new surprises and the three-story addition.
"The new modern gallery and park lobby are built around the trees so that now, everyone in the park can get a sense of what is happening within, and the contemporary addition creates new opportunities for serendipitous social interactions inside the museum."
museum art Seattle Seattle Asian Art Museum LMN Architects
The project has taken 12 years from planning through design and construction Credit: Jueqian Fang
Preservation work has been carried out on the building Credit: Adam Hunter/LMN Architects
Other work has included upgrading its climate control and seismic system for protecting collections Credit: Jueqian Fang
The main entrance lobby of the museum has been restored Credit: Adam Hunter/LMN Architects
The Fuller Garden Court has been renovated Credit: Adam Hunter/LMN Architects
A new Park Lobby has been added to the building Credit: Adam Hunter/LMN Architects
The newly added lobby is one of a number of elements that have improved the museum's connection to Volunteer Park Credit: Adam Hunter/LMN Architects
Preservation work has been carried out on the museum's Art Deco façade Credit: Tim Griffith
A new gallery, education studio, conservation centre and community meeting room has been added Credit: Tim Griffith
The Seattle Asian Art Museum will reopen this weekend after a $56m (€51m, £43m) renovation and expansion of its historic 1933 Art Deco building by LMN Architects. The project, which has taken 12 years from planning through design and construction, was the first major renovation of the 64,250sq ft (6,000sq m) facility since it was constructed. Most notably, preservation work has been carried out on the building and its Art
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