LMN Architects begins renovation on Seattle's Asian Art Museum

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LMN Architects begins renovation on Seattle's Asian Art Museum

By Justine Testado

Apr 9, '18 4:20 PM EST

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A new park lobby will improve circulation throughout the building and provide a visual link between the creative beauty of SAM's collection and the natural beauty of the park. Image courtesy of LMN Architects.

Renovation is now underway for Seattle's Asian Art Museum, which closed in 2017 and recently celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new project. Locally based LMN Architects will be in charge of the $54 million renovation and expansion to update the 1933 building to current standards, enhance SAM's gallery space for its art collection, and accommodate growing visitor needs. The museum is currently scheduled to reopen in fall 2019.
LMN Architects shared more details about the project below.

Connecting with the Park: By adding only 3,400 square feet to the building’s footprint in Volunteer Park, the museum gains 12,000 square feet of essential interior space while opening the building up to the park. In addition to a restored façade and aesthetic improvements to the back of the building, the project will also restore historic Olmstedian pathways, better connecting elements within the park. Image courtesy of LMN Architects.

The expansion will add about 13,900 square-feet of new space, “but changes the museum's footprint in the park by only 3,290 square feet (less than 1 quarter of 1 percent of the park's 48-acre total”, LMN Architects describes. The expansion comprises a new exhibition gallery, a dedicated education space, improved community event spaces, and a new conservation center.

Adding a New Space for Programming: A new education space will enable more hands-on experiences during school tours and family workshops. Improved event spaces will allow for more community activities like Family Fun Workshops, Free First Saturday, and the popular programming offered by the Gardner Center for Asian Art and Ideas. This new space will allow the museum to host programs designed to help the community develop a deeper understanding of Asia, one of the most significant cultural and economic regions of the world. Image courtesy of LMN Architects.

Restoring the Beautiful Fuller Garden Court: New doors in the art-filled Fuller Garden Court will open onto a glass lobby with beautiful Volunteer Park views beyond. Image courtesy of LMN Architects.

Prioritizing the preservation of the historic building and its Art Deco facade, the renovation and expansion includes improving: the museum's infrastructure, climate control and seismic system, ADA accessibility, and the museum's connection to Volunteer Park — which includes restoring historic pathways in the park.

Restoring an icon: The renovation will help safeguard precious works through significant improvements in heating and cooling systems, art storage, and conservation space. This will help preserve the treasured collection so that it may be enjoyed for generations to come. A modest addition will create a new gallery and more space for our community to gather around art and culture, enjoy public programs, and host events. It will also improve circulation to the meeting rooms, education spaces, library, and auditorium. Image courtesy of LMN Architects.

“The architectural design approach parallels the curatorial goals, which seek to create relevance and meaning between the past and the present. Simultaneously, the design is focused on strengthening the relationship between the building and the park—from the outside in and the inside out,” says Sam Miller, a partner at LMN Architects.

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