The Architecture of Seattle
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During your visit to Seattle, you can enjoy the breathtaking views that nature has to offer and then behold the eclectic architecture of the city. From the famed Space Needle to creations of Frank Ghery, there are plenty of man-made wonders to tour while you’re here.
The Rainier Tower, designed by Minoru Yamasaki in 1977, stands as a modern marvel in the Metropolitan Tract of Seattle. 40 stories high, this tower is likened to the image of a hi-fi speaker and if you stand at the base, the building seems like it could topple over due to its inverted pyramid style.
The classic Space Needle stands as an iconic symbol of the Emerald City and has been greeting visitors since the 1962 World’s Fair. The unique design is based on a merger of Edward Carlson’s idea of a giant balloon and John Graham’s concept of a flying saucer. At the top of the tower, dine at the SkyCity restaurant with its wonderful Pacific Northwest cuisine and rotating views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.
Created as a museum of music founded by Paul Allen, the Experience Music Project was designed by Frank Ghery to resemble a smashed Stratocaster guitar. Loved by some and loathed by others, this structure is famous for being the topic of some heated conversation by locals and visitors alike. See for yourself when you stop in to the museum, with an interior that boasts of the Sky Church Room, dedicated to Jimi Hendrix, an amazing concert venue with 40 foot high and 70 foot wide video screens.
Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the Seattle Central Library opened its doors to residents in 2004. Created as a “celebration of books,” the library aims to be inviting to the public and open to the environment surrounding it. The architects behind the Seattle library chose to let function dictate the form, thus the unusual shape to the exterior. It includes a living room, encouraging patrons to read comfortably and the “Books Spiral,” where patrons can view the entire non-fiction collection spiraling up four stories without using stairs or going to a different part of the building.
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