An architect selection advisory panel has recommended that ARC Architects, Bassetti Architects and The Portico Group remain in consideration for the job of designing the expanded Lake City library.
Panel members had evaluated the qualifications of 10 firms before making their recommendation to the Seattle Public Library board of trustees. A public reception with the architects from ARC Architects, Bassetti Architects and The Portico Group is set for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday, May 15 at the Lake City Library, 12501 28th Ave. N.E. The architects will display examples of their work and be available to answer questions.
ARC Architects, founded in 1976, is well known for its experience in public sector work, particularly in the design of community and senior centers. It designed the NewHolly Community Facilities for the Seattle Housing Authority, which includes the NewHolly Library, as well as the Tukwila Community Center, Eckstein Community Center, Northshore Senior Center and South Park Community Center.
In its 53 years in business, Bassetti Architects has designed numerous public libraries, including the award-winning historic renovations of Seattle Public Library's West Seattle and University branches, and King County Library System's Woodmont Library in Des Moines, Redmond Regional Library, North Bend Library and Newport Way Library. Bassetti also has designed more than 47 libraries at state universities, high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.
The Portico Group was founded in 1983 by architects and landscape architects and has expanded to include horticulture, interpretive planning and exhibit design. Its projects include the Sammamish Library, Shoreline Library, the renovation and addition to the Sno-Isle Regional Library Service Center in Marysville, Oregon Trail Interpretive Center outside Baker City, Ore., and the Corkscrew Audubon Center in Naples, Fla.
Community representatives who served on the advisory panel include: Jeff Girvin, a landscape architect and member of the Seattle Design Commission; Andree Teschera, who works in the printing, photography and retail industries and is a volunteer at the Lake City Library, local PTA and Camp Fire; Anthony Aegerter, a longtime resident who is interested in ensuring library service to the area's diverse population; Jean Van Oss, who has used the library for 12 years; and Hazel Evans, a retired librarian and longtime Lake City Book Club member.
Seattle voters approved $2.9 million to add nearly 6,000 square feet to the 9,000-square-foot library. The addition, which is scheduled to be completed in 2002, will feature a multipurpose room, as well as enhanced study areas and more space for books.
The expansion is part of the $196.4 million "Libraries for All" bond measure that Seattle voters passed in 1998 to upgrade the Library's 109-year-old system. The plan calls for improving or replacing all 22 branch libraries, building three new branches and building a new central library.
The Library Board will hear the recommendations of the advisory panel and is scheduled to choose an architect at its meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., third floor auditorium.
For more information about Libraries for All, visit the Library's Web site at www.spl.org and select "Libraries for All capital projects."
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, at 206-615-1627.)
Return to the list of Libraries for All press release headlines
Content modified: 26 April 2000
12/30/2005
© 1999-2006 - The Seattle Public Library