LMN Architects Unveils Reimagined Seattle Asian Art Museum

American studio LMN Architects has renovated and expanded the Seattle Asian Art Museum, which is one of the few museums in North America dedicated exclusively to Asian art. Designed by Bebb and Gould in 1933, the art deco-style building includes a new gallery for special exhibitions, an education space for students and a conservation center for Asian paintings. The museum’s architectural upgrade allows curators to reimagine the organization of Asian artifacts, while bringing to light new stories of the collection amid changing definitions of Asia in the 21st century.

“The new and refreshed galleries will display art from the collection that has never been on view before, and the resonant themes of the installation will provoke both delight and curiosity,” says Amada Cruz, CEO of SAM. “The new connections to and views of Volunteer Park are stunning.” With a new 2,650-square-foot gallery and glass-enclosed lobby offering unobstructed views of the surrounding park, the design integrates the building’s unique site with the museum’s mission of showcasing Asian art “in conjunction with contemporary educational and conservation spaces.”

Take a look at the newly renovated museum in the slideshow above. A free weekend-long celebration will begin February 8 to commemorate the reopening of the museum. Head over to SAM’s website for more information on programming.

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Seattle Asian Art Museum
1400 E Prospect St
Seattle, WA 98112