VintageSeattle.org

During my “day job” as a game designer, one of the first steps we take in creating spaces is to whip up a few rough concept sketches. Architects use the practice as well, as these early Space Needle design sketches illustrate. I found these in an old ‘62 World’s Fair book I was flipping through last night. While definitely not as stunning as the set over at the Architecture of the Pacific Northwest Database, they do show a nice progression of ideas. The final design is said to be a compromise of Edward Carlson’s cabled balloon idea and architect John Graham’s flying saucer. Click on the thumbnails for a higher-res look.

Early cabled balloon design; flying saucer on a spire. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

Revolving restaurant with planetarium dome; cruciform shaft and disk first called the “space needle” from Art Edwards. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

Bennett’s crossed cables sketch; Ridley’s tripod in plastic form. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

Steinbrueck’s later sketch; Ridley’s new tophouse detail sketch. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

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