Let us now praise the Seattle Public Library. [View All]

[swag]

This is an extraordinary place, inside and out - I type from one of the upper floors, in an extremely comfortable modern chair, sun and Seattle skyline above me.

I'm a little worn out from the partying with friends over the last two nights, and I don't have much architectural vocabulary anyway, but I will say that the expansive inner spaces, the integrated art installations (a Tony Oursler psycho-video diorama abutting an escalator, for crying out loud) the innovate use of saturated colors, the lattice-work of diamond skylights, and just the bold design of the building itself, not to mention its elevated function, make this one of my favorite public buildings ever. I haven't felt like this since the first time I entered IM Pei's east wing of the National Gallery of Art.

Seattle citizens: you have done a wonderful thing. Hiring Rem Koolhaas for this project more than makes up for the architectural damage done your city by Michael Graves' atrocious Seattle Art Museum. This library has more art in on the restrooms than the SAM has in its entire dreary structure. Why don't you just raze the SAM and build an extension of the Lusty Lady.

Better yet, get this Koolhaas guy back to design an art museum to match this magnificent library of yours.