King County Library Service Center

King County Library Service Center in Issaquah, Washington by Miller|Hull Partnership, 2000

The following text and images are by Seattle-based The Miller/Hull Partnership for the King County Library Service Center in Issaquah, Washington, completed in July 2000.

The Miller/Hull Partnership designed an 80,000 square foot service center located in Issaquah, Washington. Designed to serve the library system's 180 person headquarters staff, the facility houses administration, training, book processing, information services, maintenance, a traveling library program and includes space for a new West Issaquah Branch Library. A large 2000 sf public meeting space for community use is included in the building.

The three story building mass is configured to engage the main arterial in the area, Newport Way. The north-south oriented building screens the 100 car parking area from passing vehicles on Newport Way. Pedestrians and bicyclists using the planned bike trail on Newport Way can view the activities going on inside the building, a rare occurrence in this suburban business office zone. A preserved wetland on the east edge of the property can be viewed from the office space on all three floors as well as from the building's board room and staff lounge.

Construction bids to build the $10.5 million facility came in well under budget and allowed the owner to select all of the alternates.