May 3, 2000

Design Detailings: Koolhaas and engineers offer update

Architect Rem Koolhaas and project engineers will talk today about the latest design developments of Seattle’s new $159 million Central Library.

The public presentation is free and will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Using a combination of slides, computer animation and video, Koolhaas will review progress on the design and completion of the first phase of work.

Atila Zekioglu of Ove Arup & Partners and Jon Magnusson of Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire will give a presentation on the structural engineering of the building. Stephen Jolly of Ove Arup will talk about the mechanical engineering.

Koolhaas, founder of the Office of Metropolitan Architecture in Rotterdam, Netherlands, was chosen last year to design the new Central Library, which will replace the existing facility at 1000 Fourth Ave.

Finalists named for Central Library lead artist

The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Arts Commission have selected finalists for the job of Central Library’s arts planner/lead artist. They are:

• Do-Ho Suh, a public artist from New York. Suh, who was born in Korea, has a special interest in space and architecture, as well as transnational issues.
• Nancy Spector and Hans-Ulrich Obrist, a curatorial team. Spector, curator of contemporary art at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, has used experimental and space-specific work in projects such as the Berlin Biennial. The Swiss-born Obrist is an independent curator who has worked with architects and exhibition spaces across the United States and Europe.
• May Sun, a public artist from Los Angeles. Sun has implemented numerous projects across the United States.
• Carolyn Law, an arts planner from Seattle. Law, who also is a practicing public artist, has planned and implemented public art projects for the King County Arts Commission and Washington State Arts Commission.
• Jorge Pardo, a public artist from Los Angeles. Pardo, who was born in Cuba, has executed projects around the world, including a recent architecturally based project at the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum in the Netherlands.

A panel made up of public art experts, and library, community and architect representatives selected the finalists from among 60 applications. The public can meet finalists at a reception from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4 at A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St. in Seattle.

Lecture on historic preservation in Seattle

Architectural writer Clair Enlow will be lecturing on the state of historic preservation in Seattle’s rapidly growing urban environment. The event, which includes an exhibit review and reception, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, at AIA Seattle, 1911 First Ave. The cost is $5 for the general public. Free for AIA members. Call (206) 448-4938 to make reservations.

NW industrial design topic of forum

The Tacoma Art Museum is presenting a designers’ forum on Thursday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. Join TAM and Northwest product designers from Nike, ZIBA, and David Ryan of David Ryan Design to hear the latest trends in industrial design. The evening will be moderated by Douglas Wadden of the University of Washington.

The forum is being held in conjunction with TAM’s exhibition of Northwest industrial design. Call (253) 272-4258 for more information.