Map Libraries

Don’t get us wrong, we love the Seattle Library and everything it’s done for reading, spiral Dewey decimal systems, and librarian action figures. It’s just that so much attention has been paid to it and its Dutch author in the last several years that some very handsome work has been overlooked in town. We’ve rounded up images of eight hot Seattle branch libraries scattered around the city. These libraries appeal to us because they each have a successful design concept, are good examples of regional modernism, and have been well executed. Each of these libraries creates a sense of place and has been designed by a local architect – not that we have anything against the Netherlandian architects. By the way Amsterdam, just let us know when you’ll be awarding that enormous civic project to a Seattle based firm – our schedules free up a bit this spring…

Montlake Branch, 2401 24th Ave. E., Weinstein A|U

Seattle Public Library, Montlake Branch

Seattle Public Library, Montlake Branch

Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Seattle Public Library, Ballard Branch

Seattle Public Library, Ballard Branch

Seattle Public Library, Ballard Branch

Seattle Public Library, Ballard Branch

Capitol Hill Branch, 425 Harvard Ave. E., Johnston Architects & Cutler Anderson Architects

Seattle Public Library, Capitol Hill Branch

Seattle Public Library, Capitol Hill Branch

Central District (Douglass-Truth Branch), 2300 E. Yesler Way, Schacht Aslani Architects

Seattle Public Library, CD Branch

Thanks to the hard-working folks at Architechnophilia who covered this one back in October

Seattle Public Library, CD Branch

Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S., Carlson Architects P.S.

Seattle Public Library, Beacon Hill Branch

Seattle Public Library, Beacon Hill Branch

Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N., Miller Hayashi Architects

Seattle Public Library, Broadview Branch

Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N., Buffalo Design

Seattle Public Library, Greenwood Branch

Northgate Branch, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., The Miller Hull Partnership

Seattle Public Library, Northgate Branch

Seattle Public Library, Northgate Branch

Seattle Public Library, Northgate Branch