The Century Project at the Space Needle

Seattle, Washington

Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle is an international icon of the Pacific Northwest and a symbol of Seattle, with more than 1.3 million annual visitors. Constructed in just over a year, the Space Needle pointed the way toward the future with a sense of optimism and possibility. In its 55th year, the Space Needle again looked to the future with the Century Project, a significant redesign that preserves the Space Needle’s legacy by creating a new visitor experience for the next 50 years.

The Next 50 Years

Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle has become an international icon of the Pacific Northwest and a symbol of Seattle. After 50 years of operation, the Space Needle began exploring ways to update the visitor experience. Visitor surveys revealed that the original thrill that people experienced when they first stepped off the Space Needle’s elevators in 1962 had been lost overtime, muddied by decades of interior renovations.
The Century Project at the Space Needle
The Century Project at the Space Needle

Transformation of a Landmark Tower

The renovation of the Space Needle builds on the same conceptual premise that originally informed the Space Needle—a place devoted to observation. The new design includes the world’s first rotating glass floor on the lowest level, floor-to-ceiling glass barriers with integral glass benches on the observation deck, a new steel and glass stairway with a glass-floored oculus connecting all three floors, and revised interiors throughout the “top house” of the Needle. The Space Needle’s new enhanced sense of transparency restores emphasis to the original guiding principle of the visitor experience: providing unparalleled views of the city.

Building at 500 Feet

Careful staging of equipment and worksites also allowed the Space Needle to remain open and operational during construction. Often the ability to observe these activities proved just as interesting to visitors as the dramatic views, a window on the technical skill and innovative thinking of Seattle’s construction and engineering community.

The Century Project at the Space Needle
The Century Project at the Space Needle
The Century Project at the Space Needle

Access for All

Increased transparency also improves visitor access. Low walls on the observation deck had previously blocked the view for small children and visitors in wheelchairs; the new design removes those walls and provides glass benches that preserve views. Access to the observation deck also includes the first retracting stair platform elevator lift installed in the country—meeting ADA access requirements and providing full access to visitors of all abilities. Here, a guardrail raises from the floor while the stairs raise or lower to create a level platform, which moves as a unit to the desired level.

The Century Project at the Space Needle

Skill & Innovation

As the original tower did in 1962, the success of the Space Needle renovation provides a compelling testament to the innovation and technical skill of Seattle’s design, engineering and construction professionals. The design reveals the ingenuity of the original structure, parts of which, including the mechanics of the revolving floor, were made visible for the first time.

The Century Project at the Space Needle

The Observation Deck

The renovated Space Needle incorporates 196% more glazing throughout the top house. This is especially dramatic on the observation deck, where interior windows have been enlarged to frame views in every direction. Outside, angled glass barriers and integrated glass benches allow visitors to lean over the edge, providing a thrilling new experience of the city below.

We worked on the design of the world's first rotating glass floor. To set the context, it's a 90-foot in diameter glass disk that is actually moving 500-feet in the air and gives you a perspective of hovering over the city. That simply doesn't exist anywhere else. Alan Maskin
Design Principal
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Oculus Stair & The Loupe

A new central staircase—clad in warm wood and culminating in a glass oculus—links the upper observation level with The Loupe. Here, the world’s first rotating glass floor provides a 360-degree rotating window that guests can walk on, revealing a new view down to the Seattle Center campus below and showcasing the engineering ingenuity of the tower’s original steel superstructure.

The Century Project at the Space Needle
This is a project that we felt celebrated the joy of architecture. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to visit since the renovation, and one of the things I thought was really wonderful about it is the way that everyone really interacted with the architecture. We thought it did a great job of remaining respectful to the iconic nature of the building while still bringing something new to the experience. AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Design Awards jury comments
The revised Space Needle is a fitting blend of nature, technology, and design that embodies the city's history and reminds us that even the wildest-seeming ideas might someday take us to the top. Gray Magazine
The Century Project at the Space Needle

High-Performing Historic Architecture

The Century Project is certified LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors replacing systems that had been deemed “at the end of their useful lives” throughout the tower with modern, high-efficiency options. Water-saving measures like low-flow fixtures throughout the Space Needle contributed to 41.45% reduction of indoor potable water use over EPA baseline, saving more than 587,793 gallons of water per year. Energy use is likewise dramatically reduced, with lighting power density 35% lower than Seattle’s already demanding energy code. A comprehensive Green Housekeeping Plan outlines the use of safe and sustainable cleaning products, protecting both visitors and staff from exposure to harsh chemicals.

The Century Project at the Space Needle

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