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Up or Coming

This atypical contemporary building located at the corner of Halsted and Eastman Streets in Lincoln Park is a five-story, 74,000-square-foot mixed-use facility with retail sites planned for the ground floor. The British School of Chicago will occupy most of this building design by Joe Valerio and will have a separate entrance from the retail space. The project is backed by Structured Development of Chicago.

 

 

In The News...

Local


 

Looptopia + Architecture = ?

 

A Looptopia musical performance at Federal Plaza

 

Chicago, IL, May 12, 2008-So another Looptopia has come and gone and with it the renewed expectations of a better showing than last year's offerings of Chicago's now annual Spring all-nighter. The multi-venued artistic event been auspiciously with another mid-Spring date which in the minds of most Chicagoans is just asking for trouble with our extended winters. Yet, despite the torrential rains at the outset, mother nature relented and brought clear skies and acceptable temperatures to the delight of in-coming suburban and city crowds anxious to find a good time" hanging-out" downtown till dawn(Although many of the "late-nite" wristbands were already out from the designated pick-up stations by 6 p.m.). 

 

From an architectural perspective, the idea of staging free concert events throughout the loop (Daley Center, Federal Plaza, etc.) under the stars amidst the backdrop of Chicago's urban cliffs is a great experience. Also. the utilization of the city's cultural, academic and retail interior spaces is a nice opportunity to enjoy those venues by people who may not normally have reason to patronize those places. There were a couple of specific architectural goings-on at the Santa Fe building. Nestled among the current exhibition on preservation in the buildings atrium was a number of human-scaled Lego-like model buildings of Chicago giants being constructed by a gentleman seated at a table. Later in the evening an improvisation troupe performed architecture-inspired themes at the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

 

Apart from the afore-mentioned architecturally-related events, there wasn't much more to be experienced in this area at this year's Looptopia. Some suggestions for next year which could make for a more memorable night architecturally-speaking are: first, line-up a number of our river-worthy vessels and ferry people down the south branch for a taste of one of Chicago's most popular vistas; second, open up the offices of Chicago's largest architecture firm-Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), the mayor's office and Aon Center to rarely scene Loop interior spaces; and three, recruit local architects to lead public sketching and/or modeling sessions using simple materials. These kind of offerings along with free looks into some nearby historical landmarks and luxury Loop residential spaces we believe would make this night on the town a truly much talked about and anticipated event.

 

       

By Darrell Jones

 

Comments?  Email us at  comments@chicagoarchitecturetoday.com

 

Also in the news locally..

 

Chicago-based Society of Architectural Historians gets big grant

 

Lower Wacker blues: Drivers and bus riders get the shaft on views
 

Condo tower planned for St. James site scrapped

 

Aqua’s Waves Reach The 24th Floor
 

Evanston tower developer may scale back plans
 

                                                                              

More on this story along with additional ones in Archives

.

National


 

 New Baseball Facility in D.C. a Big Hit
 

Nationals Park, Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC. APRIL 13, 2008-By all accounts, the sports facility experts HOK Sport of Kansas City and Devrouax & Purnell Architects-Planners of Washington have possibly laid the groundwork for a change of direction for new baseball stadium construction.  Instead of continuing with the dominant theme of retro-facilities, the D.C. Sports Commission has led the development of a state-pf-the-art concrete and steel structure clad in brick and limestone which has a distinctly contemporary look and feel about it. The over $610 million dollar stadium has a 41,888-seat capacity and is positioned for an enviable view of the U.S. Capital building in the foreground. Nationals Park is also aiming to be the first major league ballpark in the country to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Green Building Rating System. In an excerpt from Ballparks.com, The ballpark promises to play the major role in the Anacostia River waterfront entertainment district. In addition to government plans for the area, major development is anticipated from investors who have bought up property near the ballpark. Nationals Park replaces the former RFK Stadium which formerly housed the professional sports teams from the D.C. area.

Salt Lake City skyline 'pretty disappointing'

 

Comments?  Visit our Message board or

Email us at comments@chicagoarchitecturetoday.com

  Additional stories in archives

 

International


 

World's First Positive Energy Building in Abu Dhabi

 

Masdar, Abu Dhabi February 23, 2008-Masdar announced that it has chosen Chicago architecture firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) to design its headquarters in Abu Dhabi's Masdar City, the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste city fully powered by renewable energy. The headquarters will be the world's first large-scale, mixed-use 'positive energy' building, producing more energy than it consumes. In addition to being the location of Masdar Headquarters, the building will accommodate private residences and 'early bird' businesses starting up in the city.

 

AS+GG teamed with Chicago-based MEP engineers Environmental Systems Design and structural engineers Thornton Tomasetti on the design, which includes numerous systems that will generate a surplus of the building's energy, eliminate carbon emissions and reduce liquid and solid waste. The complex will utilize sustainable materials and feature integrated wind turbines, outdoor air quality monitors and one of the world's largest building-integrated solar energy arrays. Compared with typical mixed-use buildings of the same size, the Headquarters will consume 70% less water. 'We're thrilled to be working on a project of this importance and magnitude. Masdar Headquarters is one of the most significant developments of our time,' said Adrian Smith, partner, AS+GG.

 

Also in the news Internationally..

 

Ignorant renovations in the Ukraine destroying architectural history
 

Beijing proud about their Olympic architecture ..?

 

Modernist architecture in Brno, Czech Republic

 

For Some in Jerusalem, a Bridge Too Close for Comfort

 

Comments?  Visit our Message board or

Email us at comments@chicagoarchitecturetoday.com

 

Additional stories in archives...

 

Firm Foundation

 

MURPHY/JAHN

35 East Wacker Drive

3rd Floor
   Chicago, Illinois 60601

Telephone: 312.332.0274

 

600 North Fairbanks

Chicago

 

Making its mark upon the built environment worldwide, Murphy/Jahn has been at the forefront of modernism in architectural design for over 50 years. Founded by Helmut Jahn, Murphy/Jahn has put its mark on the Chicago landscape with the number of projects proliferated throughout the metropolitan area and by the risk-taking nature of many of these same projects. 

 

 

Click here for the full profile on our Firm Foundations Page.

 

 

Quad Connection

 

This month Chicago Architecture Today highlights

University of Illinois at Chicago

College of Architecture and the Arts

 

University of Illinois at Chicago

College of Architecture & the Arts

1200 West Federal Street

Chicago, IL 60607

www.uic.edu

 

 

Chicago's rich architectural heritage provides a backdrop of historical importance and contemporary innovation to the School of Architecture's programs. Students at the School of Architecture are surrounded by highly significant architecture of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including. In addition to being among renowned architectural works, students at the School of Architecture maintain ongoing contact with current professional practice as many of the School's alumni, and permanent and adjunct faculty practice in Chicago firms. In addition to work commissioned by community clients, students and faculty collaborate on research and service projects solicited by foundations, governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations in research and design studios run by the UIC City Design Center.

More on UIC and other area architectural institutions of higher learning...

 

On Location: Chicago

 

Last March, principal photography was being shot here for scenes in the upcoming film-"Unborn." The Sci-Fi thriller director by David Goyer and produced by Michael Bay is about a girl tormented by the soul of a boy who died in the Holocaust. Actor Gary Oldman will star as a rabbi who performs exorcisms and Odette Yustman plays the lead role as the tormented girl. The Rogue Picture Production is scheduled for release in 2009.

 

 

 

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Ellen DeGeneres is bringing her show here May 3rd. She is also said to be looking for suggestions from area residents as to what they should do while they're here. Although she hasn't come right out and said Chicago, she has dropped some pretty obvious hints like-"Oprah, city with big buildings and great food." Sounds like she know us  well.

 

Hometown Hip-Hop hero Kanye West reportedly has a new music video out which reflects some of Chicago's architecture. According to the site No Trivia blogger Brandon Soderberg reveals that Kanye performs on a moving vehicle (no innovation there, right?) down a Chicago street. As the car moves, images of black Chicago residents, notable landmarks and in his words, "some pretty amazing architecture" can be seen. The video is said to be entitled 'Home Coming.'

 

 

 

Johnny Depp was the toast of Crown Point this past week as he was on location to film a few scenes for his upcoming movie, Public Enemies about the story of gangster John Dillinger. Depp took the time to greet each fan in a crowd which had gathered outside if the Lake County courthouse where they were shooting.

The same crews are scheduled to be on location Aurora, IL in a week to shoot some scenes as well.

 

 

What does the sure-to-be iconic Chicago Spire (designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava) and Sony Pictures    Imageworks have in common? According to nmancer.net the media giant recently attended an Autodesk conference in San Francisco which showcased Maya, a 3-D animation program which was used to make a short promo on the project. Check it out at Chicago Spire Video Clip.

 

 

Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns for Lionsgate, starring Perry and Angela Bassett, shot four days in July around Chicago and in southwest suburban Lemont is set to open March 28. According to a synopsis of the movie by Bob Fisher at screenmag, the upcoming feature “Meet the Browns” revolves around Brenda (played by Angela Bassett), a single mother whose 17-year-old son and 4- and 10-year-old daughters have different fathers. Brenda and her children live in a housing project in Chicago’s inner city.The story takes a 180-degree turn after Brenda learns that the father she never knew has died in Georgia. She and her children travel south for the funeral, where they meet her family, the Browns. They are a colorful, raucous and unpredictable clan. The different environments and locations are artfully woven into the visual grammar.

 

Questions? Comments?  Visit our Message board or

Email us at onlocation@chicagoarchitecturetoday.com  

 

 

Arch Quiz

Which athletic venue was recently stripped of its national historic landmark designation?

A) U.S. Cellular Field

B) United Center

C) Macy’s/ Field’s

D) Soldier Field

 Are you ready to test your knowledge about Chicago's architecture?

Take The Quiz Now!

 

Weather by DynaWeather.com

 

 Upcoming Community Events

 

AMAZING

ARCHITECTURE

RACE!

 

April through August

Tour Chicago's Renown Spaces

NW corner of Chicago Ave. and Michigan Ave.

 

April kicks off our 2008 installment of the tour which lets you actively experience Chicago's great architecture-and have fun doing it! Tour dissects the city taking you through several neighborhoods rich in architectural diversity.  

 

For more details on this event visit our Tours & Venues to Visit page.

 

Check out more on our

Upcoming Events Page!

 

 

 Today's Video Pick

 

Check out some of the first images of the recently completed interior spaces at Chicago's new Trump International Hotel and Tower as shown by Crain's Chicago Business.

 

Check it out at

Architecture in Motion!

 

 

Quote of the Week

 

“While MoMo follows the lead of the Daley Center and other Miesian buildings around the Loop un expressing its internal structure. It is, happily, not a nostalgic clone. It moves the hands of the clock forward with its architecture and its uses...”
 

 

 Tribune Architecture Critic

Blair Kamin

 

On the recently completed Modern Momentum (MoMo) building at State & Randolph

 

April 27, 2008

 

Good Reads

 

 

GREAT HOUSES OF CHICAGO

1871-1921

 

Susan Benjamin & Stuart Cohen

Published by Acanthus Press

c 2008

Hard cover 336 pgs $75.00

 

With Chicago's world renown reputation for its innovation in high-rise buildings, its no wonder that comparatively minimal focus-Wright's prairie-style designs excepted-has been afforded to it's high-style residences. Great Houses of Chicago: 1871-1921 by Susan Benjamin and Stuart Cohen aims to bring a bit more balance to that perceived inequity. The essence of Great Houses of Chicago is...

                                               

 

 

More on this book and others on our

Good Reads page

 

 

Inside Today

 

A

Belgian

Adventure!

 

With the slumping dollar and subsequent robust Euro, the United States and Chicago continues to be a popular destination for vacationing Europeans. On one of our particularly pleasant but blustery Spring days, we encountered a group of travelers needing direction.

 

Check out the interview

 at

Word on the Street

 

 

Preservation Station

 

The Germania Club & Theatre

Designed by Bertrand Goldberg

 Elgin Mental Health Center

Built 1967

 

This former hospital on the grounds of the Elgin Mental Health Center is one of two cylindrical buildings (the other being Marina City) by architect Bertrand Goldberg. The facility is no longer in use which threatens its continued existence in the community.

Preservations have mounted an effort to give it landmark status.
 

More on our

Preservation page!

 

 

Term to Learn

    

Renaissance Revival  

Architecture

 

Renaissance Revival is a general term which encompasses the various Italian Renaissance Revival and French Renaissance Revival styles. This style is often typified by a symmetrical facade, smooth stone or stucco walls, low-pitched hip or Mansard roof with balustrades, horizontal stone banding between floors, a series of arched, recessed openings, columns, and grouped or singular decorative crests on facade...

 

 See Archtionary for additional terms

 

 

On The Board

 

Avalon Bay

 

Southwest corner of

 Clark & Polk Streets

Height: Two 42-Story Towers

 Architect:

Fitzgerald Associates 

 

Check out this and other projects at

On The Board!

 

 

Today's Top Ten

 

AMERICA'S MOST VISITED

MUSEUMS

 

 

Chicago's Field Museum

 

More on

Today's Top Ten page!

 

 

 


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