New Seattle Center arena plans shed a little light on art installations

Lost in the shuffle of... well just lost in the general shuffle was an updated plan for the Seattle Center Arena project that came across the desks of the Seattle Design Commission a week and a half ago on June 21. The updates came in the form of lighting and art projects around the arena’s campus, among other things.

There was a large focus on the arena’s exterior lighting effects. The plazas would feature ground lighting and handrail lighting along stairways, as well as “facade projection” to cast images up on the sides of the building itself.

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There are also some lighting effects proposed for the arena’s famed roof. These lights would be LED and could change colors for different game day situations or events, including holidays or festivals. They could also pulse and blink to the beat of music inside or to signal a goal scored or other happenings inside the arena.

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The new plans also listed many spaces that would be available for various art installations. Local art has been a big part of both Safeco and CenturyLink Fields but not as much around KeyArena. These plans look to change that.

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The plans also call for expanded plazas to the east and west, opening up space for things like outdoor concerts, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, beer gardens, and other such events.

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Another interesting element that popped up was the addition of an outdoor “fan green room” in addition to an interior one for bands and performers. The fan version would feature a “passive, lounge vibe” and be a place for fans to congregate before and after concerts or on non-event days.

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There are other elements that some may find interesting, including mechanical layouts, ingress and egress designs, and even plans for future development in the surrounding areas.

Oh, also, this big ass LED screen.

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You can view the document in its entirety at this link.