▲ Aerial view
This project marks the first expansion and renovation in the history of the Seattle Museum of Asian Art. Its goal is to integrate seamlessly with the existing structures while supporting the museum’s new mission for the 21st century: to highlight the beauty and cultural dialogue of Asian art through contemporary art education and exhibition spaces.
▲ Top view
The original Art Deco-style gallery stands on the west side of the site. From here, visitors enter the museum lobby and can view both the Fuller Courtyard and the newly created Park Courtyard. These atrium spaces are linked by a newly constructed circulation path, connecting the museum to the surrounding civic park.
This expansion strengthens Fuller Courtyard as the museum’s heart, while elegantly linking it to the new Park atrium and two elevated platforms. The new atrium emphasizes vertical spatial openness and features extensive glass surfaces to create a floating effect within the landscape.
▲ Distant view of the west facade
▲ Close-up of the west facade
▲ Entrance Hall
▲ Courtyard facing the entrance
▲ Courtyard facing Park Hall
▲ Yellin Gate in the Courtyard
The redesigned circulation flow connects all spatial zones and extends to include the adjacent public parks and museum areas. The museum’s entrance level incorporates all atrium spaces, existing gallery areas, and adds approximately 250 square meters of new gallery space, expanding exhibition possibilities.
The ground and basement levels accommodate support areas such as art storage, conference rooms, and offices. Additionally, the ground floor features a library, a dialogue room, a 201-seat auditorium, and a community education space.
▲ Indoor space expanded on the east side
▲ Park Hall
▲ Park Hall
▲ View from Park Hall to Ground Floor Space
The architects introduced a new lightbox system in the ceiling of the octagonal gallery, simulating natural light to create a modern illumination experience. This innovative lighting enhances exhibition opportunities, improves conservation conditions for the collections, and offers greater flexibility for future curatorial programs.
▲ From the atrium to the gallery
During the interior renovation, architects focused on enhancing functionality while preserving the unique material qualities of each space. Besides restoring and updating the building’s exterior facade, efforts concentrated on modernizing the walls, floors, and ceilings to meet current codes and better suit contemporary museum needs.
▲ Park Hall leading to the atrium
▲ Buddha statue in Park Hall
▲ North facade of Park Hall
The expanded Seattle Asian Art Museum preserves and enhances the spirit of its original architecture while offering the public greater access to the richness of Asian art and culture. The newly designed community education space encourages visitor engagement with public programs and community activities.
With expanded gallery space, the museum can now showcase more artworks and host special exhibitions addressing both traditional and contemporary Asian themes. Overall, the revitalized museum presents a harmonious blend of nature, architecture, history, and art.
▲ Southeast facade
▲ Northeast facade night view
Project Drawings
▲ General layout plan
▲ Entrance floor plan
▲ Ground floor plan
▲ Basement floor plan
Project Information
Project type: Museum
Location: Seattle, USA
Architectural Design: LMN Architects
Area: Approximately 5,969 square meters
Year: 2020
Photographers: Tim Griffith, Adam Hunter / LMN Architects
Project Team: Yomi Adeyemi, Associate AIA; Robert Ames; Aaron Argyle, Associate AIA; Henry Butitta; Michael Day; Melissa Eby; Tiffani Erdmanczyk; Anya Fiechtl, AIA; Mette Greenshields, AIA; Joanne Koola; Mark Lo; Samuel Miller, FAIA; Lori Naig; Lauren Patnoe; Wendy Pautz, FAIA; Christopher Patterson, AIA; Francene Ray; Ayako Sakurai; Jeremy Schoenfeld, AIA; Kathy Stallings, AIA; Jennifer Tamblin; Megan Taylor; Pamela Trevithick, AIA; Paulina Wilkowska; John Woloszyn, AIA
Civil Engineering: Coughlin Porter Lundeen
General Contractor: BNBuilders
Landscape Design: Walker Macy
Lighting Design: Fisher Marantz Stone
Mechanical Engineering: Rushing Company
Electrical Engineering: Stantec
Facade Design Consultant: RDH Building Science, Inc.
Historical Building Conservation Consultant: BOLA Architecture and Planning
Owner Representative: OAC Services, Inc.
Structural Engineering: Magnusson Klemensic Associates
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up