News from Seattle USA

The Bruce Lee Action Museum would occupy a city block, soar three stories and cost up to $50 million to build.

Lee's surviving family members want to see the contemporary structure honoring the late action hero built in Seattle, his home from 1959 to 1964. His widow and daughter visited Seattle this weekend and unveiled the project plans on Friday during a private reception at the Seattle Art Museum.

The family commemorated the 35th anniversary of Lee's death, as well as the release of his film "Enter the Dragon." Lee died July 20, 1973 at the age of 32. He is buried at Lake View Cemetery.

The museum -- which Lee's family also refers to as BLAM -- would incorporate sleek architectural lines and focus on the themes of community, research, philosophy, action, scholarship, education and foundation.

"It's a great dream of ours," daughter Shannon Lee said at the reception. "We think of this project as a living thing."

The family is working with Carson Architects, a Marina del Rey, Calif. firm, on the project, which would include two outdoor plazas, a meditation room, a library and a 250-seat theater.

A wall near the entrance would have his image sandblasted in a mirror. A large yin-and-yang design would sit in a courtyard. And bamboo would wrap around most of the building.

"It's supposed to be what Bruce Lee was about," Thomas Carson, the firm's principal said. "Shannon and her mom really want it here."

Shannon Lee added: "Movement is a central part of the design."

The family spent the weekend searching for possible sites in Seattle to build the museum. They have been discussing the project with Carson over the past four to five years.

"It seemed like a natural progression," Shannon Lee said, explaining the museum's origins.

The Lee family and supporters said they would need to raise significant funds to achieve their goal.

Carson said the family intends to talk with Seattle officials about their plans for the project and that the museum would also be used to house the Bruce Lee Foundation, a cafe and a conference room.

Above the large rectangular entrance, visitors would see an image of Lee kicking in the air. His philosophical sayings would be inside on walls.
A Chinese lion dance team performed for Shannon Lee and her mother, Linda Lee Cadwell.

Lee was born in San Francisco and lived in Hong Kong with his family. He moved to Seattle after family friends, Ping and Ruby Chow, said he could work at their restaurant.

In Seattle, he met his first student, trained in Chinatown and studied philosophy at the University of Washington.

He also met Linda Emery, who took classes with him and became his wife. Their first date was at the Space Needle restaurant. The two were married on Aug. 17, 1964 at the Seattle Congregational Church.