GUIDED BY LIGHT

The Frye Art Museum opened in 1952, displaying the art collected by Charles and Emma Frye; this was the first free art museum in Seattle, WA that was open to the public. Upon the Frye’s death they had several stipulations in their will concerning the museum, one of the stipulations was specific to lighting. When the museum was renovated in 2012, careful consideration was made in exploring the variety of ways daylight could be used as a guide through the museum but also not to affect the art that was displayed. The architects after several study models (around 500) strategically designed the building so that natural light slips into the building guiding the visitors through the museum at the same time you are guided through the exhibits the designer made sure the light did not have any affect on the art work. The use of light in this building was a display of artistic talent, creating a lighted path leading you to the artistic pieces contained within the museum itself.