Seattle Public Library

There’s not much chance you’ll miss glimpsing the Seattle Public Library, but it’s worth going inside for a closer look. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and LMN Architects, the $165.5 million sculpture of glass and steel was designed to serve as a community gathering space, a tech center, a reading room and, of course, a whole bunch of book storage. The main room, on Level 3, has especially high ceilings, a teen center, small gift shop and coffee stand. There’s an underground level for parking. Near the top is the Seattle Room, a 12,000-sq-ft reading room with 40ft glass ceilings. It has amazing light, nice views of downtown and seating for up to 400 people.