One of Seattle’s most daring structures is its library. Described as “the most exciting new building it has been my honor to review” by The New York Times architecture critic Herbert Muschamp, this hulking geometric geometric mass of glass and steel is one of downtown’s most distinctive buildings. The central branch of the Seattle Public Library opened its doors in 2004, but the design will make you feel like you’re visiting a sci-fi utopia of the future.
The building is representative of architect Rem Koolhaas’ distinctive style, with clean lines, tons of natural lighting, and large scale. Inside, visitors can experience the unique Books Spiral, which displays the library’s entire nonfiction collection in a continuous wheelchair-accessible ramp; the gooey Red Floor, where 13 shades of red paint create a sense of entering the beating heart of the building; and the Zine Collection, home to over 30,000 examples of zines, minicomics, and indie publications.
At an eight-minute walk from the conference center, the Central Library makes for a great excursion during Worldcon.
Fifi Ding is a journalist and travel writer. She has interviewed numerous figures in the world of entertainment and genre fiction, including actor Nathan Fillion and manga artist Hiro Mashima.