LMN Architects reveals newly renovated Seattle Asian Artwork Museum

Seattle-based LMN Architects has just completed the renovation and expansion of the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) in Volunteer Park, which will open to the public again on February 8th.

A key element of the two-year, $ 56 million project was the renovation of the original museum, a palatial Art Deco building designed by Bebb and Gould in 1933. The building’s ornate walls, floors and ceiling elements have been renovated to meet the requirements of the code, and the air conditioning and seismic systems have also been updated. Overhead light boxes emulating natural daylight have been embedded in the ceilings of the main gallery rooms. The central component of the museum, the Fuller Garden Court, has been restored to its original state to connect to a new lobby area.

Aerial view of the Asian Art Museum in the volunteer park. (Tim Griffith)

The program areas of the building were vertically connected by a glassy new lobby that offers an unobstructed view of the surrounding park. On the northeast facade of the original building on the opposite side of the main visitor entrance, a new gallery with an area of ​​2648 square meters was installed, which offers significantly more space for the permanent collection and special exhibitions. The addition contrasts the opulent aesthetics of the original building with full-length floor-to-ceiling windows for maximum exposure to daylight. “Working on a historic building like this is a real privilege and an honor,” said Sam Miller, partner in charge at LMN Architects. “Working with SAAM was a great fit as we also focus on creating great social experiences and connecting with the community. We hope that the addition gives meaning to the original historic building and we are delighted that everyone can visit the museum and experience the renovation and expansion for themselves. “

The architectural upgrade of the museum gave its curators an opportunity to rethink the organization of its vast collection of Asian artifacts. “The newly renovated and expanded Asian Art Museum crosses borders and offers a thematic and not a geographical or chronological exploration of the art of the largest continent in the world,” the museum announced on its website. This method of curation takes place in both the original and recently added gallery space.

A free weeklong community celebration will be held on February 8th to reopen the Seattle Asian Art Museum.