Trippin': Seattle - Seattle Central Library

1000 4th Ave
Seattle, Washington 98104
Architect: Rem Koolhaas

Before you go off and think that the bf and I are some kinda nerds for going to the library while we're on vacation, lemme just let you know that we had a reason for stopping by. We wanted to check-in online and print out our boarding passes. Did you know that you can do that 24 whole hours prior to your flight departure? OK, we are losers. Maybe we do belong at the library. Hah! In any case, this is no ordinary library. It's actually the KOOLest (play on architect) library that you will EVER see. The elevators are neon yellow! NEON! That can't be! Library's are supposed to be dull and boring. Not visually stimulating and dare I say: a kool hangout place?!? But that's what it is in every possible way. The exterior of the building looks like a pile of blocks or books thrown right on top of each other resulting in protrusions and slants in every which direction with a diamond pattern that covers the entire surface area. Diamonds on my chain ... Upon entering, you are welcomed by wide open spaces and it's almost as if you've entered a futuristic library. The 2nd floor I believe is called the "Mixing Chamber". There you will find rows and rows of computers with internet access available to the public for FREE. Printing is 10 cents a page. The area is surrounded in black, bright yellow and bright orange. It seriously resembles some kool clothing store that you might find in New York or Cali but without the clothes. A waitress who we chatted with the day before told us that the architect behind this building actually won the Pritzker Prize, which is one of the highest honors that an architect can receive. This is mos def a must stop! I took approximately 65 pictures while at the library. You think the folks there knew I was a tourist?





I think it started to feel even more futuristic as we were on the elevators. As we were chatting about how impressive the library was, we were interrupted by multiple female robotic voices that were all speaking out of sync. It was coming from these 3-dimensional blob like screens that showed the faces of the talking girls. It was CREEPY!




How much did I j'adore this library? THIS MUCH!