The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has selected Miller Hayashi Architects of Seattle to design the expansion of the Broadview Branch. The Library Board made its unanimous decision at its Nov. 17 meeting.
“ Miller Hayashi Architects stood out in part for its sensitivity and respect for the community and the context of the building and space,” said Eric Liu, the Library Board steward for the branch project and a member of a community advisory panel that interviewed three firms for the job.
“ We were struck by the architect’s vision for creating a poetic space,” said Liu, adding the panel believes the firm will remain faithful to the character of the original building as it designs the expansion.
Miller Hayashi Architects was founded in 1999 by principals who had experience working on the Anacortes Public Library, University Place Library, the Holman Library at Green River Community College, Everett Public Library, and libraries for several communities in California. The firm also designed The Seattle Public Library’s new High Point Branch, which opened in June, and the new International District/Chinatown Branch, which is under construction.
Fourteen firms applied to design the expansion. An initial staff review narrowed the list to eight firms. The community advisory panel reviewed those proposals and selected three firms to interview.
Community representatives serving on the advisory panel include Carole Rush, a 14-year Broadview resident who, prior to her retirement, managed computer projects and people working in computer software and systems development, and Troy Myers, a retired material supplier to the construction industry who has lived in Crown Hill for 39 years.
About 30 community members attended a public reception on Nov. 1 to meet representatives from Miller Hayashi Architects, along with architects from the two other finalist firms, Carlson Architects and Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects. The architects displayed samples of their work and answered questions.
The existing Broadview Branch, which was built in 1976, will expand from 8,405 square feet to 15,000 square feet. The $3,652,950 expansion project will include more seating, new computers and electrical service, improved lighting, more energy efficient windows, new shelves, a more efficient interior layout, and better signage.
The project is part of the $196.4 million “Libraries for All” bond measure, which voters approved in 1998. The bond money, which can be used only for construction of libraries, is funding new and improved branches, in addition to the new Central Library.
To date, the Library has completed the new Central Library and the Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, Columbia, Delridge, Green Lake, High Point, NewHolly, North East, Rainier Beach, Wallingford and West Seattle branches.
The Ballard, Fremont, Greenwood, International District/Chinatown, Lake City and Montlake branches are currently in the construction phase and many other branches are in various stages of planning and design.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation is in the final phase of a “Campaign for Seattle’s Public Libraries” with the goal of raising $82 million from private sources to enhance the public bond commitment. Every dollar raised will ensure a level of excellence in the library’s facilities, collections, and programs that would not be possible through its tax-based support alone.
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 29 November 2004
12/30/2005
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