Seattle Central Library - the Books Spiral

Seattle Central Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas and opened in 2004, contains a continuous ramped arrangement for the nonfiction collection called the 'Books Spiral.' The spiral keeps nonfiction shelving in one uninterrupted sequence so patrons can browse the entire nonfiction collection without changing floors, an unusual design choice in large public libraries. The building's distinctive architecture and this unconventional stack arrangement are frequently noted in architectural and library literature. Many casual visitors do not notice the Books Spiral until it is pointed out during tours or visits.