Seattle Asian Art Museum

The renovation and expansion of the Asian Art Museum breathes new life into the 1933 Bebb and Gould designed Art Deco building. The design represents the seamless integration of the building’s spectacular site with the museum’s mission for the 21^st century which is to showcase Asian art. The museum integrates nature, architecture, history and art in a poetic and intimate scale.

The project met all four primary objectives: 1) provide needed climate control, 2) complete seismic upgrades, 3) incorporate ADA accessibility, and 4) replace lost space and enhance the museum building to support the varied functions of a modern museum with dedicated education space, conservation space, and expanded exhibition space, in addition to other upgraded spaces.

The Garden Court is the building’s central hub and provides access to galleries from multiple points. The biggest architectural move was the introduction of two new portals from the Garden Court that connect to a new Park lobby and a modest expansion to the east. Together the main entry, the Garden Court and Park lobby create a strong circulation connection with immediate views of the park to the east.