following a 24-month-long renovation and expansion, seattle?s asian art museum will reopen to the public on february 8, 2020. the museum?s historic 1933 building closed in early 2017 to address critical needs of infrastructure, accessibility, and program space. now enhanced with a design by LMN architects, working alongside landscape architect walker macy, the building reopens as ?a modern museum within an historic icon?.

aerial view of the asian art museum in volunteer park
image © tim griffith (also main image)
 
 
the asian art museum?s historic art deco building was the original home of the seattle art museum (SAM) and has not been substantially restored or renovated since its construction in 1933. the expansion project, led by LMN architects, has modernized and preserved the historic building, increased exhibition and education space, and established a better connection to the surrounding park.
the expansion on the east side of the asian art museum (southeast view)
image © tim griffith
 
 
highlights of the project include: a new glass-enclosed park lobby on the east side of the building; two new portals in the fuller garden court opening onto the park lobby; a new gallery, education studio, conservation center, and community meeting room; the restoration of olmstedian pathways in the park near the museum; restoration of three fountains (two exterior, one interior); cleaning and preservation of the original sandstone fac?ade; cleaning of the fac?ade?s art deco...