On November 5, 2019 the American Institute of Architects (AIA) hosted their 69th annual Honor Awards for Washington Architecture to celebrate excellence in design. ARTS at King Street Station received an Honorable mention and Young Voices Selection acknowledging the amazing work by Schacht Aslani Architects & Olson Kundig.
Online Gallery of design award winners
Project architect Schacht Aslani Architects, in collaboration with gallery consultant Olson Kundig, designed the renovations of ARTS at King Street Station to create a welcoming and vibrant arts cultural hub. The 17,500 square foot space provides a gallery space, flexible areas for gatherings, and a professional office space
In the gallery there are kinetic walls that allow artists to reconfigure the space to fit their artistic visions. This also enables different communities to change the space depending on the event. These walls are held up by an elevated track inspired by King Street Station’s railroad tracks. There is a total of eight moveable walls with integrated lighting to create this flexible presentation space.
There is a public lobby, also known as the “living room”, which connects the gallery to the office area and provides a studio for the artist in residence.
There are areas of exposed brick and an open steel structural system to create this raw and unfinished exterior. This exterior shows the evolution of the train station into a thriving cultural hub that is continuously growing. This design was able to meet sustainability requirements to become the first City of Seattle funded project to meet LEED v4 Gold certification.
Schacht Aslani Architects and Olson Kundig did an amazing job creating a vibrant, welcoming, and flexible space where communities of color and artists can share their art, foster their creativity and talent, and express themselves. You can come and see the award winning design Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and First Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.at 303 S. Jackson Street, top floor of King Street Station.
While here don’t miss the current exhibition Brighter Future: To be heard. To be seen. To be free., a group exhibition of artworks created by more than 50 local artists of color reflecting on themes of freedom. The exhibition is organized by the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery Board, a collective of City of Seattle employees including people of Black, Latino, Native American, White, Asian, and Indian backgrounds who showcase local artists of color and build appreciation for diversity and social commentary expressed through art. On view through January 11, 2020.