Seattle Central Library - Rem Koolhaas design and the Books Spiral

Opened in 2004, the Seattle Central Library was designed by OMA (led by Rem Koolhaas) in collaboration with local firm LMN Architects and is notable for its unconventional glass-and-steel geometry. Inside the building is the 'Books Spiral,' a continuous arrangement of the nonfiction collection that allows patrons to follow the sequence without moving between levels. The building's open, stacked-floor plan and glazed facade have made it a frequently cited example of contemporary library architecture.