Rem Koolhaas's Seattle Public Library

My husband and I went to Seattle last week for the wedding of our lovely niece and took the opportunity to arrive a day early so we could check out his old haunts (he lived there during the “Nirvana” years), kick around the city for the day and FINALLY…finally check out quite possibly the coolest library around (IMO).  Rem Koolhaas spearheaded this glittery and ambitious project.  His signature touches are apparent of course right off the bat…its getting inside and learning a bit more all the thought and touches that went into this building where even if you can’t back the brutal chic design of the building, you can certainly appreciate his forward thinking design – emotive, green, colorful and for lack of a better word…rad.

Almost 10,000 insulated glass panes are sandwiched between the aluminum outer skin/grid and the thicker, inner steel grid.

bold colors, universal graphics and large lettering leads visitors through spaces

loved the escalator color......

this video installation is by artist Tony Oursler....they are talking "egg heads" that just roll their eyes and mumble randomness....completely reminded me of Disney's Haunted House talking heads.....a semi-creepy, unexpected surprise in a library?

narrow escalators whisk visitors up

the inner steel grid was all painted a very calm baby blue - the same color used as primer in Europe...this is the tallest viewing point in the library

polished wood planks by artist Ann Hamilton that are filled with backward phrases in 11 different languages....this was in the world languages section

children's center beyond

Soundtrack is Seattle's "Viper Creek Club".....check these two out - they are replacing my "Tennis" addiction for now: