Olson Kundig

The tophouse of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, which was significantly redesigned and renovated as part of The Century Project, has been certified LEED® Gold for Commercial Interiors by the US Green Building Council. The building is now significantly more efficient than before, a major achievement for a historic renovation project in a city with one of the most stringent energy codes in the country.

Led by Design Principal Alan Maskin, Olson Kundig’s design builds on the conceptual premise that informed the original design – a place devoted to observation. Technological advancements since the Space Needle’s construction in 1962 mean that the 176 tons of glass incorporated into the tower support both the design vision and the project’s sustainability goals, maximizing views while reducing summer heat gain and winter heat loss.

Additional sustainable design strategies include diversion of construction waste from landfills; daylight sensors and LED lighting; high-efficiency HVAC controls; low-flow faucets and toilets, which reduce potable water use 40% over a national baseline; low-VOC materials; a comprehensive Green Housekeeping Plan; ENERGY STAR certified kitchen equipment; and compostable plate, napkins and utensils. Signage throughout the Space Needle and on its website further detail these strategies for visitors, and prompt them to adopt more sustainable practices in their own lives.

The Century Project for the Space Needle, Seattle, Washington, USA

Design Principal: Alan Maskin
Project Architect: Blair Payson, AIA, LEED® AP
Architectural Staff: Marlene Chen, AIA, LEED® AP, Crystal Coleman, LEED® AP, Alex Fritz, Julia Khorsand, Hayden Robinson and Nathan Boyd
Interior Design: Naomi Mason, IIDA, LEED® AP
Interior Design Staff: Laina Navarro
Development Manager: Seneca Group
Owner’s Representative: Battle Management Consulting
General Contractor: Hoffman Construction
Structural Engineer and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineer of Record: Arup
Seismic Improvements Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Mechanical and Plumbing Design Assist Subconsultant: Holaday-Parks, Inc.
Electrical Assist Subconsultant: Holmes
Glazing Consultant: Front, Inc.
Lighting Design: Niteo
Building Envelope Consultant: RDH
Restaurant and Café Furniture and Finishes Designer: Tihany Design
Restaurant, Café and Kitchen Architect of Record: McVey Oakley
Turntable Engineer: Fives Lund Engineering
Acoustical Engineer: BRC
Accessibility Consultant: Karen Braitmayer
Code Consultant: T.A. Kinsman Consulting
Fire Protection Consultant: Eric Tuazon
LEED Consultant: O’Brien360
Vertical Transportation: FS2, Inc.
ADA Stair Design and Fabrication: Sesame Access
Architectural Decorative Glass: Pulp Studio
AV Design-Build Integrator: Avidex Industries
Commissioning Agent: Engineering Economics
Crane: Omega Morgan
Elevator Design-Build Installer: Otis Elevator Company
Environmental: Pacific Rim
Façade Access Consultant: Greg Mayer
Fall Protection: Pro-Bel
Fire Protection: Smith Fire Systems
Flooring and Tile: Rubenstein
Food Service Equipment: Bargreen Ellingson
Glass Fabrication: Thiele Glass
Glass Installation Robot Design and Fabrication: Breedt Production Tooling & Design
Glass Installation: Herzog Glass
Historic Preservation: BOLA
IT/AV/Security Strategist: Novare
Land Use Attorney: McCullough Hill
Metal Panel Installation: McKinstry
Painting: Purcell Painting
Performance Testing: Intertek
Scaffolding Design and Installation: Safway Group
Security Design-Build Installer: Aronson Security Group
Security Programming: Concentric Advisors
Seismic Geotechnical Engineer: Hart Crowser
Specialty Contracting: Performance Contracting Group
Specifications Consultant: Cite/Specific
Steel Fabrication and Installation: Apex Steel
Testing and Inspections: Mayes Testing
Wind Consultant: RWDI