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KEXP Lands New Digs in a Landmarked Building in Seattle

Located in one of Seattle’s landmarked buildings that once housed a part of the 1962 World’s Fair, famed public radio station KEXP now finds itself reborn as a space that helps people connect through music. The 25,000 square foot complex was designed by SkB Architects and is outfitted with a 50,000+ album music library, live performance spaces, DJ booths, workstations, a library, conference rooms, and a coffee retail concept from Italian espresso maker, La Marzocco.

The layout offers interior spaces that merge with the exterior, as a way to physically connect the station with the nearby neighborhood. Roll-up doors make it easy for people to gather as it opens up to the Seattle Center campus.

Inside, along with the coffee bar, there’s casual seating for people to hang out, listen to music, or watch live shows through the adjoining glass-walled studio.

The new design also features everything a musician might need before or after a performance – a green room with a lounge, shower, and laundry facilities

The 4,500 square foot open gathering space becomes the spot for live shows and the audience. The studio is designed in a way that bands of any kind can set up and breakdown easily and quickly between the 30-minute performances.

Photos by Jeremy Bittermann.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.