New Heights: Transforming Seattle's Iconic Space Needle

Olson Kundig began its creative existence in 1966 with the architect Jim Olson, whose work at that time centered on explorations of the relationship between dwellings and the landscapes they inhabit. Over the five decades of its existence, the firm has grown and broadened its expertise far beyond the residences for which it is still best known. The geographical scope of the work has grown to cover more than 15 countries on five continents. The firm is led by 14 principal/owners who are supported by a team of over 250 in both Seattle and New York.

INTRODUCTION by the Wright family THE PROCESS OF SUBTRACTION by Alan Maskin FUTURE PAST The History of a Historic Icon becomes the Inspiration for a Re-design FOUND OBJECT The Building We Inherited THE DESIGN INVESTIGATION Hypothesis Testing and Subtraction THAT'S WHERE MY DAD LIVES by Blair Payson PROTOTYPING Understanding the unique conditions of a landmark tower SITE PREPARATION Preparing for Construction Project 500 Feet in the Air ADDITIONNew Features for a Historic Tower THE PUBLIC ENCOUNTER The Finished Project ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CREDITS