Process: Seattle Central Library

Process: Seattle Central Library is an intimate glimpse into the creation of one of the most unique buildings in the world through the camera of architectural photographer, Lara Swimmer. With over 90 spectacular images spanning the entire 32 months of construction, this book provides a tour of Seattle’s Central Library from the ground up. From the vision of principle architect, Rem Koolhaas, to the capabilities of the design and construction teams, these photographs trace the evolution of a landmark civic space.

"Through Swimmer’s lens, the process of construction is an art form in itself. Myriad layers of scaffolding somehow forming a logical sequence, or scenes of workers perched at gravity-defying angles, confirm the visions of grandeur inherent in large civic projects, as well as the human investment required to make them happen."

By dividing the process of construction into its core stages and components, Swimmer’s photography provides a look under the skin of one of Seattle’s most daring public edifices.

Lara Swimmer has spent the past 10 years documenting many of the Puget Sound area's most significant civic building projects, through construction and as finished monuments. Beginning with the Paramount Theater's renovation in the early '90's, she photographed the Seattle Symphony's Benaroya Hall, renovation works at the Key Arena, the Cinerama, Union Station, and Sodo Center, and new construction of Safeco Field, the Experience Music Project, and the Tacoma and Bellevue Art Museums. She also spent time photographing the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

As a former student film and critical theory, shooting the new downtown Seattle Public Library was her most inspired project to date. Lara travels around the country for editorial assignments, and tries to return to Berlin every year to check in on the progress of the city where she first discovered architecture.