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. 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 is again looking to the future with the Century Project, a significant redesign that will preserve the Space Needle’s legacy by creating a new visitor experience for the next 50 years.

Led by Design Principal Alan Maskin, Olson Kundig’s design of the Space Needle’s new observation deck and restaurant level “core and shell” 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 restaurant 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 continues Olson Kundig’s longstanding interest in breaking down lines that demarcate inside and outside, bringing emphasis back to the Needle’s original guiding principle: providing unparalleled views of the city.

Olson Kundig’s transformation of the landmark tower is focused on revealing the ingenuity of the original structure, parts of which, including the mechanics of the revolving floor, will be made visible for the first time. Improving the visitor experience was a primary design directive, with the revolving glass restaurant floor being a key component. This new transparent floor will provide a 360-degree rotating window that guests can walk on, revealing a new view down the Needle’s steel superstructure to the Seattle Center campus below. The scope of the project, which is certified LEED® Gold for Commercial Interiors, also includes necessary mechanical, building envelope and structural updates such as seismic retrofitting and accessibility improvements.

Project Team: Alan Maskin, Design Principal; Blair Payson, AIA, LEED® AP, Project Architect; Marlene Chen, AIA, LEED® AP, Crystal Coleman, LEED® AP, Alex Fritz, Julia Khorsand, Hayden Robinson and Nathan Boyd, Architectural Staff; Naomi Mason, IIDA, LEED® AP, Interior Design; Laina Navarro, Interior Design Staff

Key Consultants: Seneca Group, Development Manager; Battle Management Consulting, Owner’s Representative; Hoffman Construction, General Contractor; Arup, Structural Engineer and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineer of Record; Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seismic Improvements Structural Engineer; Holaday-Parks, Inc., Mechanical and Plumbing Design Assist Subconsultant; Holmes, Electrical Assist Subconsultant; Front, Inc., Glazing Consultant; Niteo, Lighting Design; RDH, Building Envelope Consultant; Tihany Design, Restaurant and Café Furniture and Finishes Designer; McVey Oakley, Restaurant, Café and Kitchen Architect of Record; Fives Lund Engineering, Turntable Engineer; BRC, Acoustical Engineer; Karen Braitmayer, Accessibility Consultant; T.A. Kinsman Consulting, Code Consultant; Eric Tuazon, Fire Protection Consultant; O’Brien & Company, LEED Consultant; FS2, Inc., Vertical Transportation

Photography: Hufton & Crow and Nic Lehoux

Photorealistic renderings: MIR

Section perspective rendering: Notion Workshop / Olson Kundig