Oh my…the Seattle Public Library is so beautiful. It is one of the most beautiful structures I’ve ever been in. Rarely does a building actually surprise me, really, truly, surprise me. I tried to describe the library in literal terms, but realized it’s simply fruitless without a little photographic support, (courtesy of their website). Here’s what I love about the library:

1.) It’s filled with simple concepts, ex: the call numbers for each aisle are laid out on the floor in rubber:

2.) Complex design, ex: the top six floors are set in spirals–but not twisty turny stairstep kind, instead they’re laid out in horizonal straight lines that connect but never intersect:

3) Color, ex: I walked off the elevator on the Meeting Floor and was washed in red–everything from the walls to the lights were a dark, deep, red.

4) Design…ok, obviously, but it’s amazing!

In short: this is a far cry from the urine-smelling, yellowing, 70s building I visited five years ago.