Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Company Fisher Marantz Stone, Ltd
Lead Designers Kevin Frary
Other Designer's names Zack Zanolli, Charles G Stone II
Client Seattle Art Museum
Photo Credits Michael Griffith / Adam Hunter-LMN Architects / FMS
Completion Date 2019
Project Location Seattle, Washington
Entry DescriptionThe meticulous renovation and expansion of this Museum honors and preserves the architectural legacy of the historic 1933 Art Deco building while rejuvenating the building’s connection to Seattle’s beloved Volunteer Park and the community. The project offers an improved visitor experience with expanded galleries, educational and community facilities, sweeping views of the park, and integration with the museum’s mission.
The modern addition enhances the Fuller Garden Court as the historic building’s central hub. Composed mostly of glass, the new Park Lobby gives the impression that the space is floating in the landscape. Uplighting the new lobby ceiling creates a “lantern” when viewed from the park. The historic entry, Fuller Garden Court, and the Park Lobby create a circulation spine connecting visitors to galleries, program spaces, and the park.
Finding the right balance between maintaining the historic fabric and modernizing the museum for the future was a central theme of the project. The updated and expanded museum allows for the exhibition of art that has never been on view before and supports a significant recent focus on acquisitions of historic, modern, and contemporary Asian art. The lighting design upgraded the entire exhibit lighting system to dedicated LED sources, and a new LED laylight system allows for curatorial flexibility while addressing conservation concerns
Sustainability ApproachA commitment to sustainability and community dictated a study of any lighting visible from the park and surrounding neighborhood, particularly with respect to glare. Extensive site surveys and calculations were performed to ensure light trespass into the park was minimized while collaboration with the Volunteer Park Trust addressed neighborhood concerns.
The lighting design upgraded the entire lighting system – new and existing fixtures – to dedicated LED sources reducing energy use (30% below Seattle code) and cooling load. Beyond reducing energy use, the design team worked closely with the Landmarks Preservation Board to assure the new lighting conformed to the original intent of the building. Long-forgotten lighting features from the original historic building that had been decommissioned over the years were reintroduced, restoring serendipitous glory to this successful renovation.
