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December 11, 2011 – Chicago, IL  - (Press Release) An eco-friendly chicken coop.  Do-it-yourself kitchen renovations.  A full-basement rehabilitation.  Restored original wood trim.  The Historic Chicago Bungalow Association’s (HCBA) 7th Annual Richard H. Driehaus Bungalow Awards saw an unprecedented number of creative and inspiring projects, but six stood out among the rest as models for adapting and preserving Chicago bungalows.  Five judges comprised of preservation, community development and energy efficiency experts selected the following winners:

 SOM RECEIVES AIA'S FIRM OF THE YEAR AWARD

December 7, 2011 – Chicago, IL  - (Press Release) The Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), with its culture of inter-practice innovation, design excellence and  commitment to the city where the firm was founded, has earned the 2011 Firm of the Year Award from the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Chicago chapter.  The award is the organization’s highest honor a firm can receive.  It recognizes outstanding achievements by a firm, excellence in the body of work produced by the firm, and the contribution made by the firm to the advancement of the architectural profession in the areas of design, research, planning, technology and architectural practice. 

The Firm Award Jury concisely summarized SOM Chicago’s qualifications in the following statement:

“Skidmore Owings & Merrill is the jury’s unanimous choice for AIA Chicago’s 2011 Firm of the Year.  It is evident in the submission that SOM has a distinct culture that is collaborative and team-oriented with a history of high aspirations for design excellence.  For the professional community, SOM’s innovation continues to impact and inform tall building design around the world, while it is also evident that SOM is an involved and active citizen of Chicago, reaching outside of itself to positively impact the community and its organizations.”

SOM Chicago will celebrate this honor with members of the design community at the AIA Chicago annual meeting and awards presentation on Friday, December 9, 2011 held at ReBuilding Exchange in Chicago. 

CHICAGOANS GET EXCLUSIVE "BACKSTAGE" ACCESS

Lobby of Tribune Tower

L. Darrell Jones \\ Chicago Architecture Today \\ Oct 16, 2o11--The "Second City" has again pushed its way toward the front of the line of innovation. With the inaugural openhousechicago 2011 campaign, the city has flung open typically closed doors to the masses ala New York City. For 2 days, over 100 diverse sites of intrigue and interest will be made accessible to a curious and eager public through the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Chicagoans pride and appreciation for its architectural pedigree is well noted. Why we haven't been on the leading edge of this like NYC which has been at it for about 7 years is a mystery. The belief is here that an event such as this could rival even the popularity of the CAF's iconic architecture river cruise.

Of particular interest here were the opportunities to tour the Tribune and Lake Point Towers. Around 11am, lines of enthusiastic gawkers like myself began to form along the south-facing wall of Tribune Tower for a rare peek inside the seemingly fortress-like Neo-Gothic structure. Locals as well as tourists from around the country and around the world availed themselves of this unique experience. The tour did not disappoint. The space oozed of history and the docent guides which changed at various points along the walkthrough were well-informed and engaging. The tour path led into the lobby, back corridors and up to the boardroom and the  office of former editor and publisher Col. Robert R. McCormick.

Lake Point Tower Garden

The tour of Lake Point Tower was another site we were keenly anticipating checking out. Although we were treated to a tour of its magnificently designed garden and park space atop the garage deck, most of us were anticipating a trip to the top floors were the very expensive restaurant sits. Unfortunately, that was not apart of this tour and thus left that particular crowd a bit disappointed. Nevertheless, taking a quick overview of the selected sites which were offered to the public, the variety of skyscrapers, firms, schools, businesses and civic spaces represented an excellent variety for what was sure to turn out to be a great success. Kudos to each business which opened its private spaces to the public and to the Chicago Architecture Foundation for organizing and hosting such an unforgettable event!

STREETERVILLE HONORS ARCHITECT LARRY BOOTH

Anthony Pagliuco on assignment \\ Chicago Architecture Today--Last week the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, Soar, honored architect Lawrence O. Booth for his contribution to the community. Booth was named 2011’s Outstanding Architect. This year’s 6th annual ceremony was held at the historic Drake Hotel on Thursday, September 27th.

Booth was honored with the Vision Into Reality Award, and praised for his redesign of many local buildings, which involved reprogramming of either outdated or unnecessary functions, and his design of original buildings as well. The award was inspired by Daniel H. Burnham, whose vision changed Chicago, making the city what it is today. With this award, Soar honors architects whose impact on Chicago will most likely be felt by future generations to come.

Booth has been practicing architecture for over 40 years, and has received numerous awards, including over 30 regional Honor Awards from AIA. The Blueprints ceremony hosted various models of Booth Hansen’s work and honored Streeterville projects that were designed by the firm including 850 Lake Shore Drive, the Palmolive Building, East Water Tower Place and the Esquire Theater. Booth received an honorable mention for his Palmolive Building condominium conversion, and 850 Lake Shore Drive.

850 Lake Shore Drive was once home to the Lake Shore Athletic Club. However, Booth Hansen and Integrated Development Group will be repurposing its interior to accommodate a community for independent seniors. The building holds historical significance as being the previous home to the Lake Shore Athletic Club, and more prominently as being Jarvis Hunt’s Beaux Arts architectural achievement. Booth Hansen will be preserving the exterior while enlivening the interior.

“The residents of Streeterville take great pride in the architecture that surrounds us. SOAR welcomes well designed new buildings, but also recognizes that many older existing buildings can live new lives with intelligent re-purposing.  This award is one way of letting individuals, such as Larry Booth, know how their work positively impacts the lives of Chicagoans” said Brian Hopkins, President of SOAR. “The BLUEPRINTs event allows us to bring together residents, business leaders, and development teams to celebrate all that our world-class neighborhood has to offer.”

In addition to giving out the award, presenting Lawrence Booth’s models, and serving an outstanding dinner, Soar also auctioned off several items to raise money for their organization, which is aimed at keeping Streeterville a neighborhood. The items included Hotel stays, theater tickets and shopping sprees, juried artisan jewelry, paintings and photographs, fine wine and spirits and dinners at over 20 downtown restaurants. Non-profit organizations like Soar and architects like Lawrence Booth help preserve the historical value of Chicago, and help create the atmosphere that is known and cherished from around the world.

NAVY PIER TO LAUNCH SEARCH FOR ”PIERSCAPE” DESIGN TEAM

Press Release

DEPAUL BREAKS GROUND IN PELLI-DESIGNED THEATER

(PressZoom) - CHICAGO – The Theatre School at DePaul will break ground June 1 for a new home – a 165,000 square-foot multipurpose facility designed by internationally renowned architectural firm Pelli Clarke Pelli.

Founded in 1977 and led by Cesar Pelli, Fred Clarke, and Rafael Pelli, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has designed some of the world’s most recognizable buildings, including the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, the World Financial Center in New York and the International Finance Centre in Hong Kong. The firm has a strong portfolio of performing arts centers affiliated with universities, including those at Vassar College, Grinnell College and the University of Minnesota. Pelli Clarke Pelli was one of seven firms asked to submit designs for the building.

As yet unnamed and with a tentative price tag of $69 million, the airy, five-story building is designed to showcase the varied and dynamic activities that characterize the school, its students and faculty. It will house a 250-seat theatre, a flexible 100-seat black-box theatre as well as administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, rehearsal spaces, design studios, workshops and the school’s script library. The flexible theatre will be named for longtime DePaul supporters Sondra Healy (a 1964 alumna of the Goodman School) and her husband, Denis.

The structure will be located on the southwest corner of West Fullerton and North Racine avenues and serve as the western gateway to the university’s Lincoln Park Campus.

DePaul announced its intention to build a new Theatre School facility – as well as new and renovated facilities for its School of Music – in fall 2009. Funds for the buildings’ construction will be raised in part through the Many Dreams, One Mission Campaign for DePaul University, a $250 million effort which was announced in spring 2010.

“These facilities represent history in the making,” said DePaul’s president, the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. “For the first time, The Theatre School and the School of Music will be housed in facilities that are specifically designed to serve the work and artistry of our students, faculty and staff.”

DePaul’s theatre and music schools both are ranked among the country’s top conservatory-style programs in their respective disciplines, despite having been housed in inadequate facilities for decades.

According to John Culbert, dean of The Theatre School at DePaul University, the new facilities were specifically designed to support, engage and share the work of theatre artists with the DePaul community, the Lincoln Park community and the city of Chicago.

“The people in our audiences are not just spectators,” he said. “They become part of the training process for actors, designers, stage managers, directors – everyone who is part the performance.” He adds that the idea of engaging the audience in such a way is facilitated by the building’s design.

“The Pelli concept takes a very sophisticated approach to organizing the pieces of the building so that it engages and energizes the entire Theatre School community,” Culbert explains. “When you attend a performance at the new building, you won’t just step off the street into the theatre. You will actually journey through the school, see its inner workings, be immersed in an experience not available anywhere else in Chicago.”

Many of those inner workings will be visible from the street too, he continues, noting that pedestrians will have clear views into the scene-building, painting and other usually “behind-the-scenes” workshops that make every theatrical performance tick.

The Theatre School stages 10 productions of contemporary and classic works each year – at little or no cost to the public – at various venues. The school’s Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Series also presents three unique productions each season to more than 30,000 theatre lovers of all ages at DePaul’s historic Merle Reskin Theatre in the South Loop. Additional performances occur throughout the season at various levels of production, housed in The Theatre School’s current facilities in Lincoln Park. (The new Pelli-designed theatre building’s Merle and Harold Reskin Lobby is named for the longtime Theatre School supporter and her late husband.)

DePaul’s new music school complex will be constructed along the west side of North Halsted Street between Fullerton and Belden avenues. A new Music Center building will anchor the complex, housing the 550-seat William E. Hay and Mary Pat Gannon Hay Concert Hall, a large 150-seat recital hall and a smaller 80-seat recital hall. The current music administration building will be substantially renovated and will continue to serve as the school’s administrative hub, housing offices, classrooms and teaching studios on its existing three levels. The chapel, currently used as the concert hall, will be substantially renovated to accommodate an opera hall.

LOSING A SLICE OF CITY LIFE

"HOT STOVE" ARCHITECTURE?

NEW HALSTED STREET BRIDGE TO OFFER A

GRAND GATEWAY TO SOUTH LINCOLN PARK

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT PRESERVATION TRUST

ANNOUNCES NEW DOWNTOWN LOCATION

A SLAM DUNK FOR ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECT JEANNE GANG CELEBRATED AT BLUEPRINTS

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER

TO BREAK GROUND ON NEW $16 MILLION

PERFORMANCE ARTS AND CULTURAL FACILITY

A RESIDENCE OF VISUAL  SURPRISES IN LINCOLN PARK

The Howe St. project is a three-story eco-friendly residence comprised of solar panels that heat the water and makes use of an elaborately designed skylight to trap heat and circulate warm air throughout the house in the winter. An atrium stair curves along the wall and a glass bridge allows light to penetrate through from the glass block and skylights above. As for the sense of space, it feels very spacious and free. Upper rooms have walls with square cut-outs, acting as interior windows to open towards the atrium for additional light, ventilation and views of the living area and kitchen. Several of these views result in a telescopic effect providing sightlines from one end of the house to the other. The master bedroom has a two-story high ceiling, a loft, and access to a solarium and the roof deck. The 10’ rooftop cube creates a chimney effect as an effective exhaust system and also allows one to feel and view outside even in nature’s un-permitting weather.

With such limited square footage to work with, Thomas Hickey was able to successfully open up the space to be comprised of everything a single family suburban home can offer and more. With killer views at the rooftop, along with its quiet, friendly neighborhood, there is nothing one can ask for more in the city. The only real challenge is for the residents to compliment this inviting space as they fill it up with personal expressions which make it their own. From all appearances, this seminal project is already well on its way to all-around impressiveness.

NEW SCHOOL OF FOLK MUSIC TO BREAK GROUND IN OLD TOWN

BROADCAST MUSEUM BACK ON TRACK

THE GATEWAY: HOW TALL IS TOO TALL?

June 28, 2010, Chicago, IL – There has been a proposal for a 314-foot residential building tower, for the site of the Crowne Plaza parking lot at the southeast corner of Madison and Halsted streets in the West Loop. The Taxman Corporation’s Gateway development would comprise a 312-foot tower with 228 rental units and 205 hotel rooms, 100,000 square feet of retail space, and 678 garage parking spaces. The Gateway  is being designed by Antunovich Associates, architect for the recently completed Flair Tower apartments in River North.

But the question that arises with this building is: “How tall is too tall”? Many residents in the area oppose this building because they say it does not fit in with the rest of the neighborhood since all the rest of the buildings are usually mid-size warehouse condos. The opponents of the idea of this high-rise building say it violates the New West Side Plan which states, “New Buildings should not be higher than 25 percent of the average buildings on the surrounding blocks”.

After many community objections of the buildings, the developers decided to scale the high-rise down to 95 feet comparing it to the height of the Skybridge that is located around that neighborhood. If developers continue to build high rises in that area, the neighborhood will lose a community feel and it will lose the division that separates the community from the downtown area.  After speaking to the West Loop Community Organization, a member estimates that it will take at least five years or more if the project is approved but nowhere in the near future.

Contributors to this story:

Margaret Morun and Kyle Milburn

NEW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FACILITY TO OPEN ON WEST SIDE

Press Release - Chicago, IL – At their recent Greenlight Gathering fundraising event, Bright Endeavors announced the merging of their “green” social enterprise operation with New Moms, Inc., a supportive housing program for youth since 1983. Both organizations work diligently to break the cycle of poverty for young women and their children. As Bright Endeavors and New Moms, Inc. join forces, more young women and their children will have a positive, safe environment to grow and prosper. Through their “New Moms Transformation Project,” the newly expanded organization will construct a new building on city-donated land located at 5327 W. Chicago Avenue within Austin’s 37th Ward community area, and slated for completion in August 2011.

Construction of the $10.7 million, 50,230 sq. ft. building, which stands on nine city lots, will mark the opening of the Chicago’s largest supportive housing center for young homeless women and their children. The building will be comprised of 30 studios, 10 one-bedroom units, program offices and a day care center. The facility will also include a community room, supportive service programs, administrative offices and a training space. This new development will be seeking LEED Silver certification, which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use.

The “New Moms Transformation Project” meets an urgent community need for permanent supportive housing for homeless teenage mothers with children, a critical component in Mayor Daley's 10-year plan to end homelessness. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there are between 1,200 and 1,700 births per year in New Moms targeted communities — Humboldt Park, Austin, Logan Square and West Town —with an overwhelming 84% of these births to unwed teens. According to 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts, “This project is a tremendous opportunity to serve those in the community. Homeless teenagers are a major societal problem, and with New Moms, Inc. and Bright Endeavors coming together as one voice to support teenage mothers, it is a truly momentous undertaking to meet the needs of this population.”

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless reports that in 2004, there were nearly 16,500 homeless female youth in Illinois aged 12 to 21 — 68% of whom were pregnant. Yet in 2005, there were only 212 shelter beds in the entire state for homeless youth with children — meeting only 1.8% of the overall need. New Moms is the only Chicago agency exclusively serving pregnant and parenting teens, and one of only two homeless agencies serving this population, representing 70% of beds in the City of Chicago. “We are hopeful of doubling our housing capacity as well as doubling the number of participants we serve in our community outreach,” says President and CEO of New Moms, Inc. Audalee McLoughlin, in announcing the organization’s plans to construct the four-story building.

PRESERVATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Harper Theater in Hyde Park

Jonathan Fine, Exec Director: Preservation Chicago -- When I was first contacted about addressing the GCEA [Global Convention and Exposition on Architecture], I have to confess that I was a little disappointed that my seminar was titled Preservation OR Progress, as if there should ever be a question.   I would have hoped that it would have been called something like: Preservation IS Progress or perhaps: Preservation – Duh?    

What is particularly vexing to us is that historic preservation seems to be one of the only social movements in the last century that constantly has to be reaffirmed with each new generation.  You would be hard pressed to find a seminar today called Women’s Suffrage: Friend or Foe or Banning Child Labor: Has it hurt US competitiveness? 

So, Preservation or Progress?  I guess the question comes down to what one’s definition of progress is.  For those of us in the Chicago preservation movement, we do not view the goal of preserving our architectural past as being mutually exclusive with nurturing our architectural future.  The preservation of an historic building does not deny the opportunity for something better to be built, nor does it stifle our ability as architects to realize our own vision.  Rather, it is the totality of a city’s architecture that defines it and sets it apart from all others in the United States.  It is that very juxtaposition of the old and the new that creates a dynamic architectural tension that strengthens and enhances a cityscape, allowing individual works of steel and glass modernism to stand apart from their often soot-stained forefathers.

Unlike Manhattan, Chicago is not by any means starved for developable land.  Outside the central city, acres of land sit vacant, while downtown a multitude of surface parking lots, multi-story concrete parking garages and mediocre post-war office buildings are crying out to be replaced by something better.  The same can be said for the vast majority of other American cities.  Imagine what our cities would look like if we preserved and rehabilitated all of the good buildings, tore down all the bad buildings and then replaced them with great buildings? 

As professional preservationists, we understand that every historically important building cannot... For full text, visit our Featured Friends page

GLOBAL CONVENTION & EXPO CONCLUDES

UIC Professor of Architecture Michael Gelick confers with young exhibitors

L. Darrell Jones | Chicago, May 3, 20210 --  Attendees from around the country gathered at the Congress Plaza Hotel on South Michigan to participate in the first Global Convention and Expo in Chicago. The 2-day event sponsored by IMAGINIT Technologies consisted of seminars, a professional expo, final presentations for the Mock Firms International Skyscraper Competition, the Global Impact Awards in Architecture and the 1st annual Amazing Architecture Race.

Event attendees were treated to compelling lectures by notable leaders in their field during the seminar sessions. Jonathan Fine, Executive Director of Preservation Chicago spoke on the subject of "Preservation or Progress" explaining why we shouldn't regard the two as an either or proposition; but that meaningful, thoughtful preservation is in fact progress. An additional seminar enjoyed by patrons was one on "Current  trends in Tall Buildings Worldwide" given by Jan Klerks, Research Director at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat located on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology.  Finally, "Innovations in Secondary Technical Education" was co-shared by Lee Sappingfield and Barbara Nikoo-Manesh facilitators of the highly successful Environmental Design model in use at Olathe East High School in Olathe, Kansas.

The convention was anchored by the 2nd installment of the Mock Firms Architecture Competition which challenges students to think and organize as professionals in order to collaboratively bring together a design project for judging. Over 30 teams of students or mock firms competed on collegiate and high school levels to produce skyscrapers and single-family homes. The collegiate firms were challenged to design and construct a tower for Mexico City. The winning mock firm came from Cal-Poly at San Luis-Obispo with the runners up coming from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. The top firm in the high school Skyscraper Division coming from Appleton East high School in Appleton, Wisconsin and the winners in the Regional Home Design Division coming from West suburban Wheaton North High School.

The evening Awards Ceremony opened with the announcement of winners of the Global Impact Award in Architecture. This award sought to recognize collegiate departments of architecture, design firms and non-profit architecture organizations in their ongoing efforts to make a difference internationally through well-designed relevant projects. The Catholic University of America garnered the collegiate honor while Basic Initiative - a collaboration of Portland State University and the University of Texas at Austin took the non-profit prize. BIG of the Netherlands headed by architect Bjarke Ingels won for their innovative and diverse projects around the world. Finally, Brad Pitt and his Make It Right Foundation won a Friend of the Architecture Community Award for their continuing efforts to promote good and practical home design throughout New Orleans Katrina-Ravaged Lower Ninth Ward and beyond.

NEW MUSEUM SET TO ELEVATE GREEKTOWN

Rendering of National Hellenic Museum

L. Darrell Jones | Chicago, March 21, 20210 -- Although its been nearly 10 years in the making, the new National Hellenic Museum in the heart of Chicago's Greektown will be a welcome addition to that community. After losing some its businesses to a devastating fire earlier in the year, the area could use a significant shot-in-the-arm. The 40,000-square-foot 3-story facility will be located on the long-vacant lot at the northwest corner of Halsted and Van Buren Streets. It fills a space which was just begging for a project of this magnitude to be targeted there and in a rare moment of purpose meeting practicality, it actually was put together in reality.

This new building to be completed by 2011 replaces the former Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center located at 801 E. Adams on the fourth floor above the Greek Islands restaurant.

The structure will feature visible facades on 3 sides giving an opportunity and challenge to make an architectural statement of significance to the neighborhood and to the city. The design by architect Demetri Stavrianos appears to have chosen a more contemporary route rather than pursue the obvious one-liner of a classical-revival or neo-classical motif. Certainly, those style directions could work if done well, but too often designers embrace a safer retro look then pioneer ground-breaking contemporary innovations. At first glance, this plan does not appear to be aesthetically innovative, but judgment will be reserved upon delivery.

HELMUT JAHN'S DESIGN CONCEPT FOR FUTURE RAIL HUB 

L. Darrell Jones, Chicago, FEBRUARY 15, 2010 – The city of Chicago is in the midst of moving forward in determination of the best ways to maximize its portion of the $8 billion federal appropriation for high speed rail production in the city. But one local, yet internationally accomplished architect has already thrown down design concepts for this project's infrastructure which beg consideration. The Daniel Burnham Central Station complex by Chicago-based architect Helmut Jahn features a riverfront high-rise and a glassy, contemporary transportation hub with large windows to bring extensive light into the passenger travel experience currently lacking at Union Station. Extensive use of stairs and escalators bear a prominent role in connecting concourses to track areas. While this proposal does not address every issue like pedestrian access and CTA connections with O'Hare and Midway, it nevertheless represents a good start. 

A TWIST ON THE CHICAGO SPIRE 

THADDEUS SMOCZYNSKI, CHICAGO FEBRUARY 15, 2010 – The Chicago Spire, designed by world renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, would be among the world’s tallest buildings if the project is ever resurrected. The farther we get from the initial euphoria of the idea and its subsequent ground-breaking, the less of a realistic possibility it becomes. The building was announced in 2005, and has dealt with financial troubles, compounded by the staggering economical troubles of the United States.  Financing of the tower has gone from Christopher Carley of Fordham Company to Garrett Kelleher of the Shelbourne Development Group.  The Shelbourne Development Group is in current talks with labor union groups to help financing of the project, and is hoping to restart construction in the near future.  In a gesture of sarcasm or aesthetic practicality, the Architectural Club of Chicago has recently put forth an ideas competition to generate possible uses for the Spire “hole” which stands as stark reminder of the last decade’s speculative excesses in development and construction.   So the city and skyscraper enthusiasts around the world are holding their collective breaths, hoping another structural wonder can be added to the storied history of Chicago’s architectural innovation.

RESTORED MARQUETTE BLDG OPENS PERMANENT LOBBY EXHIBIT 

PRESS RELEASE, CHICAGO JANUARY 24, 2010 – A new website opens the doors of the historic Marquette Building, a Chicago landmark and one of the city’s earliest skyscrapers, to visitors from around the world.  The website, www.marquette.macfound.org, highlights the building’s history, architecture, and recent renovations, drawing on the content contained in a free exhibit located in the building’s arcade.  The building is owned and was restored by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which also constructed the exhibit and website. 

Named a National Historic Landmark in 1976, the Marquette Building is a classic example of the renowned Chicago style of architecture, which is characterized by steel skeletons holding up facades of brick and ornamental terra cotta.  It was designed by Holabird & Roche and built by the George A. Fuller Company in 1894 using steel frame construction.  The building is named for French Jesuit missionary and explorer Jacques Marquette.  The lobby boasts Tiffany mosaic panels and decorative bronze heads of native Americans, early explorers, and animals. 

In 1977, Banker’s Life and Casualty Company acquired the Marquette Building.  The Company was owned by John D. MacArthur, one of the wealthiest men in America.  After John’s death in 1978, the Foundation he endowed chose the Marquette Building as the headquarters for its philanthropic work around the world.  The MacArthur Foundation proudly restored the building to its original glory. 

The MacArthur Foundation worked closely with preservation specialists in architecture and engineering to return the building to its original design. The past century had brought non-historical renovations, removal of the cornice, and damage from pollution and the elements. A team of experts thoroughly researched the building’s history, construction, original details, and alterations made over the decades.  MacArthur recreated the cornice, a massive, ornamental molding that encircles the top perimeter of the structure, restored the building’s façade, and reconstructed the original windows. 

“The story of the Marquette Building is the tale of a landmark preserved,” said MacArthur President Robert Gallucci.  “The MacArthur Foundation is proud to have restored this historic building, returning to Chicago one of its true architectural masterpieces.  Through the exhibit and now the website, we hope countless visitors will enjoy the building’s history and splendor in person and online.”

The free exhibit in the building’s arcade, just west of the lobby, at 140 South Dearborn Street, is open to the public from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends.  It features –

·         An interactive kiosk with close-ups of some of the building’s key architectural features and its rich décor, including the semi-precious stone and glass Tiffany mosaics in the lobby;

·         A scale model of the building to help visitors understand its shape and construction;

·         Interviews with experts on the building’s historical significance and its recent restoration; and

·         Interactive kiosks that provide information on the MacArthur Foundation’s grant-making.   

TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT COMPLIMENTS OF... CHICAGO 

L. DARRELL JONES | CHICAGO JAN 11, 2010 -– If you happened to catch the news clips of the celebratory opening of the Burj Khalifa, you probably couldn't have imagined the extent to which the hoopla welcoming the arrival of the latest world's tallest building could rise. The 2,716-foot "super-scraper" official unveiling was accompanied by fanfare which would rival most New Year's Eve's celebrations and perhaps some past Olympic Opening Ceremonies. The worldwide spotlight was indelibly upon Dubai, U.A.E. But Dubai wasn't exclusive as the focus of global attention for this record-breaking engineering and construction achievement. Although Chicago hasn't held the title of the world's tallest building since the Sears Tower lost it to Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers in 1998, Dubai's newest claim to fame has a direct Chicago connection. Designed by the internationally renowned Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and Adrian Smith now of his own firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the Burj Khalifa was born of design concepts and principles founded in the Windy City. The cloverleaf plan was patterned after Chicago's Lake Point Tower and the vertical progression with its varied and offset heights seems to be the logical evolution of a Willis Tower for the next millennium.

So, although Chicago fell embarrassingly short in its bid to land the 2016 Olympic Games last fall, it can bask in the Burj Khalifa's glory due to its involvement in the design. We'll take it. Of course research and travel will arguably reveal that much of the world's innovative contemporary structures are not typically in Chicago or the U.S. for that matter but in Asia, the Middle East and the Netherlands. This isn't due to a greater talent pool as much as its due to an abundance of capital and carte blanche civic cooperation. Yet, the "Chicago school" of design has long been recognized as an incubator of innovation and except for a brief down period is once again measuring up to high expectations. In time, who's to say that Chicagoans will have the privilege to not just be acknowledged by association with the next iconic accomplishment, but will take center stage in showing the world how its done.    

ACCOLADES FOR AREA ARCHITECTURE FOR 2009 

CHICAGO DEC 13, 2009 | -– Despite the recent pronouncement that Chicago's architecture community has been devastated, the reports of its death are greatly exaggerated. Yes, the recession has stalled and shelved a number of notable building projects - not the least of which is the Spire, but there was a healthy amount of exhibitions, media, and even high-rises which made their way to the forefront this past year. Here is a list of some of our most noteworthy (and notorious) architectural events in Chicago for 2009: 

Best Completed High-Rise

Aqua Tower designed by Studio Gang Architects

Most Innovative Entertainment Architecture

"The Ledge" at the Skydeck of Sears Tower - SOM

Most Uninspired Opening of an Anticipated Building Project

Block 37 Mall -  Joseph Freed and Associates LLC, developers

Most Exciting Civic Project Initiated

Extension of the Riverwalk along the south bank

Best Restoration Effort

The 1920 Michigan Ave Bridge Railings

Most Disappointing Temporary Exhibition

The Burnham Pavilions

Most Bitter/Sweet Architectural Project that Wasn't

2016 Olympic Architecture (the snub - bitter to some, sweet to others)

Best Temporary Exhibit to Become Permanent

The CAF Model City

Most Popular New Architectural Space

The Rooftop bar of the Wit Hotel

Best Depiction of Chicago in a Video

1,2,3,4 by the Plain White T's

The Best Case for Filing a Missing City Report

Public Enemies (If you blinked you missed anything recognizable)

Most Overrated Completed Building Project

Modern Wing of the Art Institute

The Biggest Elephant in the Room

Trump International Hotel & Tower

Coolest Architectural Archeological Find

Sullivan facades at 18 S. Wabash and 22 S. Wabash

Best 100 Year Celebration

Burnham Plan of Chicago area-wide activities

Greatest Example of Senseless & Stubborn Destruction

Gropius Buildings on the former Michael Reese Hospital campus

COUNCIL REDEFINES BUILDING HEIGHT CRITERIA 

CHICAGO NOV 23, 2009 | Press Release -– The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)—the international body that arbitrates on tall building height and determines the title of “The World’s Tallest Building”—has announced a change to its height criteria, as a reflection of recent developments with several super-tall buildings. 

The new criteria wording—“Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to…” allows for the recognition of the increasing numbers of multi-use tall buildings with often several different entrances at different levels, whilst also accommodating buildings constructed in non-traditional urban or suburban locations. The CTBUH Height Committee has determined that the previous description of where to measure tall building height from—“Height is measured from the sidewalk outside the main entrance to…” is now no longer sufficient.

This will have an impact on both the height of tall buildings and their relative international height rankings. Burj Dubai, set to open as the world’s tallest building in January 2010, will now be measured from the lowest of its three main entrances (which opens into the entrance lobby for the tower’s corporate suite office function), while the recently completed Trump International Hotel & Towers in Chicago will be measured from the lower, publicly accessible Chicago Riverwalk. In the case of Trump, this additional 27 feet means that it will surpass the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai to occupy the rank of 6th tallest on the current list of completed buildings.

“Beginning in 2007, with the knowledge that Burj Dubai would be significantly taller than any structure ever built, the CTBUH Height Committee met to review the criteria by which we recognize and rank the height of buildings,” said Peter Weismantle, Chair of the CTBUH Height Committee and Director of Supertall Building Technology at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture in Chicago. “As one might guess, with the committee being made up of architects, engineers, contractors, developers, building owners and academics, a variety of opinions and views were expressed. The resulting revisions almost two years later reflect a general consensus of the committee in recognizing the most recent trends in tall building development around the world.”

Also in response to the changing designs and forms of tall buildings, the Height Committee has elected to discard its previous “Height to Roof” category. “The roof category just doesn’t make sense anymore,” said CTBUH Executive Director Antony Wood.  “In the era of the flat-topped modernist tower, a clearly defined roof could usually be identified, but in today’s tall building world—which is increasingly adopting elaborate forms, spires, parapets and other features at the top of the building—it is becoming difficult to determine a ‘roof’ at all, even less so to measure to it.”

The revised CTBUH Height Criteria and diagrams of the tallest 10 buildings in the world as of November 2009 can be found at criteria.ctbuh.org, ranked according to the three height categories now recognized by CTBUH. These are: (i) Height to Architectural Top, measured to the topmost architectural feature of the building including spires, but not including antennae, signage, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment; (ii) Height to Highest Occupied Floor, measured to the level of the highest, consistently occupied floor in the building (thus not including service or mechanical areas which experience occasional maintenance access); and (iii) Height to Tip, measured to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element. 

ARCHITECTURE CRITIQUED FROM COAST-TO-COAST

L. DARRELL JONES | CHICAGO NOV 9, 2009 -– In a unique way to enjoy an usually warm Thursday evening for Fall in Chicago, hundreds of architectural enthusiasts turned out to hear A Conversation with the Critics : Imagining the Future of the City at the 50 East Erie Murphy Auditorium.  The event was sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation and was a component of the inaugural American Architecture Organizations conference the weekend of Nov. 5 - 7. A panel of esteemed journalistic critics was brought together from coast-to-coast and  included Christopher Hawthorne, (Los Angeles Times,), Paul Goldberger (The New Yorker), Sarah Williams Goldhagen (The New Republic), and Blair Kamin (Chicago Tribune).  Edward Lifson, cultural critic and creator of Chicago Public Radio’s Hello Beautiful! moderated.

Paul Goldberger introduced the conversations with a synopsis of New York City's Highline adaptive-reuse project which is converting an unused elevated stretch of freight lines into landscaped public space. The New York Times critic evoked widespread laughter as images of the ideas competition for the project which included uses as linear swimming pool and a roller coaster venue were shown to the audience.

Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin was next and began by declaring he "would not be talking about Millennium Park!" but on the contrary would bring to focus one of Chicago's great streets - Wacker Drive. Actually, Wacker Drive was the necessary context to highlight what he referred to as "the [city's] most important infrastructure projects" - the emerging Riverwalk. A connection was drawn to Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago as the historical context for this iconic endeavor which has transformed "what could have been a mere road repair... into an urban amenity - done without star architects."

The Boston Globe's Sara Williams induced probably the loudest gasp when she calculated the total coast of the "Big Dig" and the Rose Kennedy Greenway to be the most expensive public works project in U.S. history at $21 billion. She went on to bemoan the lack of an initial design process or plan which has produced nothing more than miles of uninspired and disjointed green space with few successful stretches in between.

Christopher Hawthorne of the Los Angeles Times bookended the introductions and spoke in a self-effacing manner of the L.A. area's confused and misguided sense of any kind of civic design direction where things seem to center around their many highways. He did give a glimpse of brighter possibilities for the future of the Los Angeles area as they recognize the need to "retrofit the city for a more denser population. commercial districts and green considerations."

Finally, the evening's moderator. Edward Lifson sought to generate a debate about how we in the U.S. could compete with or learn from China's success in taking iconic projects from concept to construction in minimal time. The consensus group response was that we're not a communist dictatorship but a democracy and must succeed within the constraints of the system of government and commerce we have.

CTBUH: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

NATHALIE RAZO | CHICAGO OCT 25, 2009 -– On October 22 and 23, Chicago welcomed the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat for the second time in the past three years. Three years ago, the organization moved the headquarters to the IIT campus. This past week they brought international delegates to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the organization and to discuss the future of super tall buildings given the economic situation of the past year.

The conference, entitled “Evolution of the Skyscraper: New Challenges in a World of Global Warming and Recession,” featured presentations covering a range of topics such as sustainability, building technologies, the future of the industry, and growing markets in the world.  The presentations brought together multiple speakers on a single topic, creating a forum from which conversations and ideas were provoked. The conference began with the most locally relevant presentation - “Chicago- City of Big Shoulders.”

Eric Trump and Andy Weiss of The Trump Organization spoke about Skyscrapers as Business Strategy during which the recently completed Trump Tower of Chicago was discussed. In this project they implemented a phased occupancy, which allowed financial gains before the project was completed.  William Testa of The Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago talked about the history of Chicago and the need to grow up.  As a result, he suggested that Chicago has a role in the global economy and will continue to grow. This led to Richard Tomasetti of Thornton Tomasetti in New York who spoke primarily about the development of the Chicago Spire. This project features some of the most innovative solutions to structural concerns that have been proposed for tall buildings, once again showing that Chicago is at the forefront of global recognition. Together these presentations represented not only external factors that affect the success of large-scale projects, but the economic and technical conditions that make them relevant. This combination of speakers created buzz about an ever-changing skyline in Chicago that was founded on a scarcity of land.

The conference also presented an award for best tall buildings and the Lynn S Beedle Lifetime Achievement award. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to John C. Portman Jr. from John C. Portman and Associates.  The building winners included Manitoba Hydro Place for the Americas, Linked Hybrid for Asia and Australasia, The Broadgate Tower for Europe, and the Tornado Tower representing the Middle East and Africa.  Congratulations to these projects for creating a precedent to which the world can aspire.  The Council continues to look forward at the changing market of world structures, and is planning next year’s conference in Mumbai, India. The world stage has been set and we can only wait to see how super structures have been influenced by the environmental and economic times.

CALATRAVA OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SPIRE

NATHALIE RAZO | CHICAGO OCT 18, 2009 -– On Wednesday, October 7th, 2009, a group of people got to experience a rare lecture by Calatrava as part of the official opening of the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago.  The event brought together a great mix of people including people from the architecture community and many who were not.

“Beyond the Spire” was a look at some of his well-known and upcoming projects, a sort of reflection on how he feels about his work up until now. He emphasized his desire to gap the bridge between architecture and engineering in his projects, specifically the Milwaukee Art Museum.  Calatrava has also recently focused many projects on infrastructure including high speed rail, bridges, and transport depots across the world. This work he says is a great way to landmark areas while being dedicated to the hundred of thousands of people that use the transportation everyday.  His lecture was entertaining, thought provoking, and inspiring.

However, one of the best parts, by far, was the dialogue between Calatrava and  Blair Kamin, Architecture Critic of the Chicago Tribune. It was an informal discussion that resulted in train of thought tangencies that often led back to a “message of boldness” in his. Calatrava is optimistic that these economic times are turning around, and that he will be able to see the addition of the Spire to the Chicago skyline. We all hope he is correct.

NO OLYMPICS BUT A NEW OPPORTUNITY ARISES

L. DARRELL JONES | CHICAGO OCT 12, 2009 -– So now that we've crashed from our collective Olympic "sugar high," a resulting opportunity to achieve something great beckons for our attention. I'm speaking of the prime southern lakefront property currently occupied by the Michael Reese Hospital campus once targeted for our Olympic Village - now owned by the city which looks to develop it as residential.  I don't doubt that a new mixed-use residential community there would be nice, but is it the best we can conceive for it in light of the former grandiose plans and its significant location?

I believe that just because we've been deemed not Olympic-worthy at this time, is no reason to not make grand plans for our city going forward into the next decade. Opportunities to make a truly great architectural statement due to the opening up of prime land on out southern lakefront only come around in a generation. An example of this is the currently stalled Spire skyscraper. The buzz created by its innovative twisting torso design was heard the world over. Lets hope for brighter days ahead for that undertaking.

Certainly, one of the unique opportunities we have related to the diverted use of the Michael Reese from an Olympic Village is the renewed hope that many more or most of the rare Gropius-designed and influenced buildings could be saved through adaptive-reuse. Often, mid-century modern examples such as these are difficult to garner much public support because they typically are not the most attractive structures comparatively speaking. But if one of the nuances tourists love about Chicago is how the architecturally old is juxtapositioned against the new so commonly throughout our city. We have blown many past opportunities to progress in this area, so here we stand at yet another significant juncture to respect and retain our past or to junk it.

Here's hoping that our impetuous mayor does not stiffen his resolve on going forward with a new residential district without seriously considering the merits of alternate ideas being floated for the use of that campus. Among the ideas put forth by aldermen and others are a casino-entertainment complex, a hospitality-based high school and maybe a future presidential library. Regardless of what eventually is chosen to emerge there, a public competition, public forums and dialogue would appear to best serve our interests in insuring an outcome that we all could eventually be proud of. 

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS CONVENE IN CHICAGO

CHICAGO SEPT 28, 2009-– Chicago recently welcomed the largest annual gathering of landscape architects in the world at the McCormick Place Convention Center. More than 5,000 attendees affiliated with the American Society of Landscape Architects enjoyed the the sights and sounds of an early Fall season in the city. In addition to participating in several tours, over 125 educational sessions were available along with an expo of 400 industry-specific exhibits displaying the latest in green roof technology, outdoor turf and furnishings, playground structures, innovations in skatepark design and more.

Mayor Daley was one of the featured speakers and received the ASLA's LaGasse Medal in recognition of his management and conservancy of public landscapes. Other notable dignitaries in attendance were President Obama's senior environmental policy counsel Lisa Heinzerling, Kermit Baker, the chief economist for the the AIA, as well as many more top design and sustainability experts.

"Chicago serves as a model for landscape architecture and sustainability, featuring some of the world's best examples of green roofs, public parks and urban streetscapes," said Angela Dye, FASLA and president of the Society. "Landscaper architecture can address a multitude of economic, environmental and social problems facing large urban environments, and we are delighted to visit a city that puts so many excellent design practices into use - especially on the 100th anniversary of the 1909 Burnham Plan."

Since 2000, ASLA has awarded Chicago nine national awards for landscape architecture, including Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, Chicago City Hall Green Roof, Spider Island Chicago Botanic Garden, Michigan Ave., One North Wacker Drive and the Chicago campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology. 

OPRAH'S SHOW SHOWCASES SHOPPING MECCA

                                         AP PHOTO/DAVID BANKS

CHICAGO SEPT 13, 2009-– Crowds estimated at upwards of 20,000 descended upon Chicago's premier shopping district - The Magnificent Mile - Tuesday, September 8 to "kick-off" Oprah's 24th season anniversary. With the iconic backdrops of the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, Oprah staged a party featuring Jennifer Hudson, the Black-Eyed Peas, James Taylor and hoards of her adoring throngs for the millions of viewers who watch her show daily. Oprah stated her motivation for shutting down this tourist hub for 2 days was 2-fold. First, she related the need to do something spectacular to garner the level of attention which this would; and second, to help promote Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games of which Oprah is a supporter. Certainly her first objective was accomplished by any standards. As for the second - a correlation to the Olympics not being entirely clear - remains to be seen. Although Oprah's show is broadcast in Chicago at the out-of-way Harpo Studios, precious few tapings occur in the public realm of the city to the extent that the average viewer could easily forget that Chicago is the city of broadcast origin. If Oprah truly believes that this is "the greatest city in the world" and one of the most beautiful global cities - and we believe she does - then we challenge her to make this kick-off event not just an opening to her 24th season, but also the beginning of incorporating more of the city -minus the shut-downs - into her show's broadcast.    

ADRIAN SMITH HONORED AT STREETERVILLE AFFAIR

ALEX TSPARIS | SPECIAL PROJECTS | CHICAGO AUG 30, 2009-– BLUEPRINTs, an annual event that celebrates the unique Chicago neighborhood of Streeterville was generously hosted by the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) the Museum of Contemporary Art on Monday, August 10th.

This year’s event honored the world-famous architect, Adrian Smith.  A former partner of Skidmore Owings & Merrill and a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Adrian Smith has been responsible for such masterpieces as the NBC Tower, the Trump International Hotel and Tower, and the Burj Dubai – soon to be the world’s tallest structure.  In 2006, Adrian Smith co-founded Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, a prestigious practice with current projects around the world. 

SOAR presented Smith with the Vision Into Reality Award at the BLUEPRINTs event.  This award was inspired by the forward-looking city plans by Daniel Burnham that were conceived one hundred years ago.  Naturally, this award recognizes individuals whose progressive ideas will impact the city of Chicago into the next one hundred years. 

Dubai, once a small fishing village in the United Arab Emirates, is now a globalized megapolis with very high architectural demands for Smith and his firm.  Along with the Burj Dubai, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture currently have other projects planned in that city, but those remain concepts after the stock market crash in 2008.  Aside from the prestigious projects in Dubai, Smith and his practice are currently working on projects in Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Vancouver, and right here in Chicago. 

The BLUEPRINTs event also involved a live auction selling conceptual drawings by Adrian Smith and a silent auction featuring photographs of Streeterville and Calatrava Buildings along with works by up-and-coming local artist DeMarcus Pulham. 

ABOUT SOAR

The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR), is a volunteer organization that works to see that Streeterville remain “a unique vibrant and beautiful neighborhood.  For over 30 years, SOAR has worked to improve the public transportation in Streeterville, promote a healthy and safe environment, and increase the amount of green and open space.

GREAT RENDERINGS, AVERAGE OUTCOMES

ALEX TSPARIS | SPECIAL PROJECTS | CHICAGO AUG 16, 2009-–This summer, two temporary pavilions were erected in Millennium Park to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago.  The north pavilion, designed by Van Berkel of UN Studio, is formed by two parallel rectangular planes joined by curving scoops covered in white plywood.  The planes are meant represent the city’s orthogonal, grid-like texture while the curving scoops offer unique vistas of the cityscape and represent the diagonal boulevards Burnham had originally planned.  The south pavilion, arriving weeks late due to contractor issues, was conceives by Zaha Hadid and is formed by 24 custom-made canvas pieces zippered together and precisely stretched over an aluminum shell.  Hadid combines various naturalistic forms complete with a video projection to create a unique and inviting fluid space that invites us to contemplate the future as Burnham once did. 

The pavilions work very well symbolically and artistically and both frame vertical the city skyline in an engaging way.  However, both of these spaces are lacking in a single fundamental aspect; the reality of public interaction. 

UN Studio’s Pavilion is white – correction – was white; it is now pretty much gray from all footprints and scuffmarks. [note: currently closed for repairs]  Kids have naturally been climbing in the “scoops” which have caused permanent gouges in the white façade.  Circulation proves to be a bit awkward as the pavilion is elevated a bit too high off the ground.  Additionally, the ADA accessible ramp on the north end is an odd addition that completely detracts from the “floating” effect. 

Hadid’s idea of a fluid transition from the park through the pavilion is sadly clogged up by people habitually standing too far back to watch the projection on the screen and not allowing any space for passage.  Unfortunate as this may be, all these issues should have been designed for when conceiving an outdoor, public space.  If kids want to interact with the artwork by climbing on an accessible and safe part, they should be able to. 

Overall, these logistical flaws in the pavilions sadly detract from their original artistic beauty and intellectual appeal. Lets hope that not only the re-ordering of these two imaginative pieces produce a better outcome for public interaction but that they also serve as a lesson for any such future endeavors.

A QUEST FOR QUALITY IN THE WEST LOOP

KYLE THOMAS | SPECIAL PROJECTS | CHICAGO AUG 2, 2009-– This unique structure doesn’t just tell its own story but embraces the existing fabric of the city with its eleven-story new steel tower on an existing seven-story old concrete loft. The Belgravia Group took an existing old and extremely structurally-sound building which is not exactly a historic landmark but is architecturally noteworthy and brought it into the 21st century. This unique hybrid design style - merging the old with the new - is an example of how a design can be sustainable all on its own without using fancy technology to give it a “green” label. Although the architect might not have had the intentions of a sustainable design, one may believe the building speaks for it’s self by preserving an existing older building and turning it into new one.

565 Quincy has a lot of offer with eighteen stories of 241 condominiums units. In addition to contemporary-styled condominium units, there are also a selection of lofts which range from “true” lofts to “den-style” two bedroom lofts. Overall, this notable addition to the West Loop has thirty-five different floor plans ranging from 600 square feet to its largest of 1,227 square feet.  On the exterior, a thoughtful design feature was to stagger the private terraces so as not to have the sun blocked by neighboring terraces directly overhead. The roof features a large community sun deck with kitchenette which is on top of the existing older building. For “in-building” recreation, designers fashioned an extremely unique “Q” room located on the bottom floor.  The “Q” room features a private bowling ally, movie screening room, putting green, video arcade, lounge with bar, and fully-equipped fitness center for the exclusive use of 565 Quincy homeowners.

These hip and stylish condos seem to be geared towards the younger professionals of Chicago. Located in downtown Chicago’s West Loop, just a block away from Union Station, this up community offers an array of up-scale restaurants and endless shopping boutiques. The Belgravia Group with more than 50 years of experience and countless award-winning building designs has done it again providing a new and sophisticated addition to Chicago’s condo collection. For inquires about 565 Quincy. contact Dan Katz, Belgravia Group at Dan@BelgraviaGroup.com, or call 312.751.2777 x157.

A CHICAGO ICON IN JEOPARDY 

L. DARRELL JONES | CHICAGO JULY 26, 2009-– We really had no idea of the impending demise of one of Chicago's most unique treasures - The Prairie Avenue Bookshop - when we filmed there just last June. But according to a recent Tribune story, Bill Hasbrouck, founder and owner of a collection of literature much beloved by area architects, the store is scheduled to close its doors for good September 1st. Through no fault of its own, Prairie Avenue is falling victim to the modern trend of internet retailing with big volume and deep discounts. This has affected street-level businesses including books, movies, music and T-shirts. Recently even Borders announced its intention to shutter its North Michigan Avenue store. As it is with other like-brick-n-mortar establishments, people more often browse than buy. I must confess, this has been true of me on a few occasions. Certainly, being in the midst of recession hasn't helped matters as people have less disposal income to purchase non-essential items. I can't help but think that having a more prominent market effort and internet presence may have precluded this unfortunate scenario from coming so perilously close this ending. We may never know. But with the history and rare volumes that's tied up in this resource, we're hoping someone sees the value in investing in whatever it takes to save this Chicago icon.   

ANOTHER ICONIC MUSEUM FOR CHICAGO?

L. DARRELL JONES | CHICAGO JULY 12, 2009-– With the recent opening of the new Modern Wing of The Art Institute of Chicago. has the city filled its quota for iconic cultural additions? Apparently one local visionary doesn't think so. Paul Poloz, principal of Poloz Architects, sees room for one more - a 55,4000-square-foot Museum of Native American Culture and Spirituality to honor the diverse American Indian culture and the millions which perished after foreign contact and conquest. According to indiancountrytoday.com The Chicago-based architect is spearheading the effort to erect a $90 million museum and monument in Chicago or perhaps another city. The monument is to be a 15-20-foot statue of a yet-to-be-determined historically-significant figure to stand in the building's courtyard.

Again, according to Indian Country Today, the design includes interior portions housing artifacts, artwork, and indoor and outdoor sculptural gardens. The exterior will include about 120,000 square feet of landscaped space and a courtyard where cultural activities such as pow wows will take place.

The interior will be “designed with structures referencing traditional Native American architecture from tribes around North America to create an intertribal village community,” according to Poloz. The design “is based on the concept of the cosmic circle, a strong symbol of life, with endless forces spinning around the center. The central part of the circle is the Great Tipi surrounded by swirling streams of water.”

Poloz plans to present the project to Chicago mayor Richard Daley and thinks Chicago would be an appropriate place for it. “The project has been designed for a city site, contributing to the urban environment as an oasis of nature to provide people with an escape from the sterility and hectic pace of the city.”

He is currently also involved in setting up a nonprofit foundation for the project, which will include tribal involvement and help raise the money needed. Poloz said it will apply to the federal government for grants and also the private sector. He hopes to have the foundation up and running in the next couple months. While Poloz says “it is difficult to estimate a time of completion with the current economic crisis, we are doing what we can to give exposure to the project.”

SEARS TOWER STEPPING OUT 

L. DARRELL JONES | CHICAGO JULY 7, 2009-– Just halfway through 2009 and Chicago has already experienced more momentous architectural coming out parties than most places experience in a decade. We we initially treated to the much anticipated opening of The Art Institute of Chicago's new Modern Wing by Italian architect Renzo Piano. Before we caught our breath from that event. one of two Centennial Celebratory pavilions also premiered in Millennium Park. And now rising up to steal the spotlight from these two showstoppers is unveiling of The Ledge at Skydeck level atop the Sears Tower. The long lines leading up to the remodeled Skydeck and the innovative suspended viewing ledge testify to the excitement generated by this new opportunity to step out a few feet from the tallest building in America.

The architectural firm of Skidmore Owings & Merrill designed the 3 (eventually 4) 10'x10' protruding glass boxes which extend 4' out from the building's west side providing views which glass-pressed foreheads could only hope to obtain. For the nervous crowd, the glass bottom only 1.5" thick has been designed to hold 5 tons - twice the weight capacity required to be safe.

According to the Metal Miner online resource, The “Ledge” is essentially a suspended glass structure with no steel framing. The 8’ x 8’ x ½’ structural ceiling front hangs from high strength steel beams, custom fabricated plate and high strength tube, custom machined pieces, stainless steel connections and a lot of little pieces. The entire box is suspended from bearing rollers, similar to wide flange beam traveling rollers. The system is run by a rigged chain drive overhead motor. Think of it as a “very expensive garage door opener.”

Always a destination for Chicago's many tourists, The Ledge will no doubt renew the interest of locales who have scaled this man-made mountain once in the past and also for those who coyly have to admit they have yet to experience it. Seems like they've waited for the perfect time.

 MODELING CHICAGO'S PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

By Darrell Jones

CHICAGO JUN 15, 2009-– After observing the child-like twinkle in the eyes of various on-lookers of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Chicago Model City in the atrium of the historic Santa Fe building, I left feeling this surely looks to become one of its most successful exhibitions to date. This perspective is in addition to my own love of finely-crafted scaled models and the difficulty I experienced trying to tear myself away from this giant-sized one. One comment overheard from a college student was, "I was I could grab some "Hot Wheels" miniature-sized cars to roll down the streets of this thing." The 25-foot by 35-foot model is one of the centerpieces of city's celebration of its 1909 Plan of Chicago by architect and visionary Daniel H. Burnham.

Although the Foundation has always featured a similarly-scaled model of Chicago in its visitor's center at 224 S. Michigan, this new  updated offering boasts approximately 400 blocks of over 1000 highly detailed buildings achieved through a laser-cutting process. 

In addition to the large-scaled mono-chromed model city (its Sears Tower stands almost 3-feet tall), kiosks surround its perimeter recounting Chicago's historical emergence as a global city. Some of the themes throughout include Chicago as the Beautiful City, Global City, Connected City, Green City and New City.  Several other smaller models also tell the story of where the city is now and where its going as they highlight current major urban re-development projects.

From the constancy of photography and the ease at which various locales and landmarks were being pointed out within the model's environs, Chicago Model City is off to a rousing start. It appears to be effective in tying together our past, present and future with clarity and visual substance allowing the average patron to make a comfortable approach and eventual connection with it all. The exhibition is free and open to the public until November 20th.

 NEW ADDITION STRIKES BALANCE  

By Erik Munck

CHICAGO MAY 23, 2009-– As swarms of people gathered around the Art Institute on Saturday, it was obvious that the opening of the $294 million Modern Wing addition was highly anticipated, as it should be. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Renzo Piano, the 264,000 square foot space creates a memorable experience for observing the modern works of art that it houses. Upon entering, one is bathed in natural light, emanating from the many windows and Piano’s own “flying carpet” skylight, made up of rows of aluminum blades. His clever use of glass diffuses the light and surrounds the works in natural daylight. Not only does this make for ideal gallery viewing conditions, but also cuts down on the building’s electricity demand. The natural daylight, coupled with the white walls, also gives the sense that the viewer is in a studio, taking a first hand tour of the artist’s work. Hardwood floors and railings contribute to the warmness and keep the space from looking too institutional.

As viewers progress through the interior, it seems that the linear space offers a clearer path of travel than the old museum, with a large central atrium and exhibitions branching off from it. However, after turning into an exhibition, I found that the viewer is still subject to the same flaws of minimizing the need for simplicity of navigation which plague most art museums. Winding rooms with multiple entry ways often bring the gallery goers to rooms they have already been in, or unfortunately, as is the case with the architecture/design gallery, a walled off dead-end. Things get especially confusing in the abstract art sections, where there is a strong chance that someone will accidentally step on a floor installation, or mistake an art piece for meaningless wires or wood.

The building does offer clear views of downtown Chicago though, with many vantage points that almost show off the city as an exhibition in its own right. The sense of lightness, which Piano is known for, is carried in a cantilevered bridge that crosses above Monroe Street. Walking across it, I got a great view of the stunning Millennium Park music pavilion, designed by Frank Gehry, whose work I had just seen in the museum. Also in view were the crowds of people enjoying the free concerts, giveaways, and other attractions of the carnival-like atmosphere surrounding opening day. The Modern Wing was not only designed to be open to light, but to the public as well. In many ways, it appears that a concerted effort was made to connect the new wing with its exterior environs, Millennium Park in particular. But a museum designed by a top architect using high-end materials has its price, as does the constant maintenance of light surfaces and hardwood floors. This could be one reason for the increase in ticket prices. Regardless, the Modern Wing does try to show that modern art is not something solely reserved for scholars and critics, but also to be appreciated by the general public.

RIVERWALK FROM VIRTUAL TO REALITY

By Darrell Jones

 Animated walk-around by Ross Barney Architects

CHICAGO APR 27, 2009-– The construction of Chicago's Riverwalk is one of the more exciting civic projects taken on by the city since the planning out of the Museum Campus. This ambitious carving out of a new and significant public realm represents perhaps the third leg of a paradigm shift in our relationship to the river. With the cleaning up of this waterway after the historic reversal of its flow in 1900, developers eventually awakened to the realization that a location along this body of water which embraces rather than shunning it can be profitable. Of course it didn't hurt that the city also began to insist on the creation of public access areas and "green space" to be a part of new riverfront developments.  Now, the anticipation of billions of dollars from local, state and federal funds to construct a continuous path from the lake westward on both banks of the Chicago River has given this final piece of its re-adaptation a new sense of certainty.

With New York City's identity closely tied in to the man-made canyons of Manhattan, San Antonio being known for its Riverwalk, and Miami for its beaches, it hardly seems fair that Chicago will soon benefit from the possession of each of these. Of course, the inclusion of the right type of commercial establishments, pedestrian amenities (i.e. lighting, benches, landscaping, etc.), and interactive opportunities will determine the overall success of this endeavor. Our hope is that unlike Navy Pier (which yes is the city's #1 tourist attraction to date), we think through how to maximize the use of each stretch of the Riverwalk without having to revisit its design 5-10 years after its completion in the near future.  

2009 DRIEHAUS AWARD

By Darrell Jones

Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil 2009 Driehaus Prize laureate

CHICAGO APR 6, 2009-– On the weekend of March 27-28, 2009 The University of Notre Dame School of Architecture honored the 2009 recipients of the the most significant award for classicism in the contemporary built environment. Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil was presented with the 2009 Richard H. Driehaus Prize at a colloquium at the historic John B. Murphy Auditorium in downtown Chicago.  Also present were over 40 5th-year students from the school of architecture along with WTTW which was recording the proceedings for future broadcast.

The $200,000 Driehaus Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding architect whose work applies the principles of classicism in contemporary contexts, including sensitivity to the historic continuum, the fostering of community, and the impact on the built and natural environments.  It is the largest unrestricted prize of its kind. Fabio Grementieri was also honored at the event with the $50,000 Henry Hope Reed Award, presented annually to an individual whose work has supported the cultivation of the traditional city through planning, preservation or promotion.

At the colloquium honoring the 2009 laureates, Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil will discussed his career in a one-on-one interview with New Yorker architecture critic Paul Goldberger.  Fabio Grementieri was featured in a group conversation on public policy and preservation with Adele Chatfield-Taylor, president of the American Academy in Rome, and Russell Keune, former director of international relations for the American Institute of Architects.

"VAN DER  VOGUE"

By Darrell Jones

OrganiK Revolution modeling a 111 S. Wacker-inspired creation

CHICAGO MAR 30, 2009-– Architecture + Fashion. On first glance one would think these two design communities have little if anything in common. Yes, architecture is about artistic beauty as much as the science of construction; and fashion can be distilled down to the simplicity of form and function of what we wear. But can the two share meaningful expression and interplay in design theory with cutting-edge results? Well, apparently a few fashion designers and architects set out to make it happen as they came together with their productions for "van der vogue" - an Illinois Institute of Technology hosted event celebrating the 123rd birthday of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and his contributions to architecture by featuring the creations of local fashion designers inspired by his buildings and similar modernist examples around the Chicago area. Among the buildings from which inspiration was derived for these one-of-a-kind dress creations were the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, south on Michigan Avenue, the God-Box Mies-designed chapel on the campus of IIT, and 111 South Wacker designed by Goettsch Partners.

Some of local fashion designers participating included Kristin Frieman of Red Shift, Lindsey Boland of Habit Chicago, Cynthia Ryba of Cynthia Ryba, Lara Miller of Lara Miller, Alice Berry of Alice Berry, Kristin Hassan of Organi K Revolution, Lidia Wachowska of Evil Kitty and Laura Lambert of Scarlet Designs present their architecturally-inspired creations. According to Laura Miller of Laura Miller, "we were following through on very simple elements and began with functionality in mind. [Our goal was] not just design for aesthetics, but [design with] purpose." Also on hand for the celebration were architecture firms Goettsch Partners, Dirk Denison Architects, UrbanLab, DePree Bickford Associates and Krueck + Sexton Architects. Dirk Lohan open the evening with a brief introduction to the celebration and its fashion component and commented that "Fashion designers give us new ways of looking at these buildings and structures."  Visit the Architecture + Fashion Page to view photos from the evening's presentation.

ARCHITECTURE - FOR FREE

By Darrell Jones

Rada Architecture's Clybourn Point

CHICAGO MAR 16, 2009-– With the official arrival of Spring just around the corner, Chicagoans will no doubt find it to be a welcome sign that despite no matter how adverse the season, new life is sure to follow. In this context, the current economic downturn has been and continues to be a winter of discontent for many. But in spite of the realities of  tightening of budgets and disposable incomes, recent statistics have shown that Americans are finding the resources to enjoy the escape Hollywood provides and a few other entertainment outlets like it. One thing this shows is that we value the means by which we can put our issues on the back burner for awhile even if they cost us some of our hard-earned income.

Despite this fact, there are many others who still can't afford many of the high-priced entertainment venues or traveling to far-flung corners of the world to take in breath-taking memorable sites. Consequently, not only have we seen a decline in our foreign tourists, but the locals are finding more affordable ways to escape closer to home. As our thoughts begin to turn toward a long-anticipated Spring and Summer and the ways we can enjoy the outdoors without going broke, Perhaps one of the best means to do this is to go out and listen to free outdoor concert, relax at the beach or stroll around town and check out the architecture which brings the world to our doorstep.

Yes there are a myriad of tours available at nominal rates, but the thing about Chicago's museum of architecture is that its open and accessible for free 24/7 year round. You may not hear all about the history of these places of interest from a tour guide, however with the wealth of information made possible through the internet today, we all can be experts on art deco if we choose to be. While its true that more than a few developments have been stopped and many others scrapped, its a good bet that Chicago's neighborhoods hold enough newly built surprises to satisfy any architecture enthusiast. For an added twist, maybe a surveying of the area's halted projects could be someone's idea of fun.  So whatever your tastes, make a point to get out and enjoy all that Chicago has to offer - for free!

HALSTED STREET-THAT "GREAT STREET"

By Darrell Jones

University Village, Chicago

CHICAGO JAN 18, 2009-– During a recent snowstorm (take your pick), a colleague of mine bemoaned the unfortunate circumstance of having to detour to work through the congested University Village Halsted Street corridor. A section stretching from Roosevelt Rd north to 15th Place to the south. Of course if the planners of this new community had fully envisioned what a successful outcome of their project might look like, perhaps they would have considered requesting a 4-lane or at worst a turn-lane throughway down one of the more heavily trafficked gateways into downtown Chicago.

Of the many notable roadways throughout the city, few can rival the rich history and continued significance of Halsted Street. From its place as the epicenter of the meat-packing stockyards industry at the beginning of the 20th Century through the ethnic outdoor markets of Maxwell Street to emerging university communities today, Halsted Street is indelibly meshed into the warp and woof of the "City of big shoulders."

Although only a small section of the meat-processing business remains there, and Maxwell Street has been neutered into insignificance, University Village seeks to instill a sense of place along a stretch of Halsted which can extend street-level vitality from downtown several blocks southward. With human-scale lighting, public spaces, and curbside parking, the area is beginning to awaken with residential and retail traffic. Still needed are more green spaces, additional parking and better traffic flow to enhance the effort underway there.

The story is reversed several miles south at 63rd and Halsted Street where Kennedy-King College's new 40-acre campus is spearheading a re-vitalization in the heart of economically-distressed Englewood. This is an area which enjoyed the limelight as an intercity retail destination back in 50's and early 60's. The locating of the city college campus there is the first injection of new life into the area as the streets have been re-paved, the CTA station improved, and noticeably more green space has appeared. 

According to CBS2chicago.com, a new Walgreens next to the college is expected to attract more commercial development. New housing, retail centers and a new police station are all opening near the college. A large, stately vacant building sits a block north of the campus and could be a critical piece to changing the personality of the neighborhood. What once was a former temple of worship could with re-investment become a central focal point through re-adaptation as a cultural center, a community center, a jobs center or of course a church again. This restoration, taken with all the others could signal sincerity to this community that hope for change will be more than just political rhetoric but can be in fact a visible reality along that "Great Street." 

FOUNDATIONS TO THE FUTURE

By Darrell Jones

The stalled Waterview Tower on Wacker Drive

CHICAGO DEC 29, 2008-– In our determination to make it through an early winter onslaught here in the Chicago area, its easy to experience the natural memory fade of all the headlining events in architecture from this past year. But as a new year is already upon us, a compelling question arises from the ruble of all the promise of 2008. What are the top stories which are foundational for what could be future headliners in architecture for 2009? Well, of course there were many candidates from which to choose, such as the impact the new administration will have on the nation's infrastructure and planned re-dos of Grant Park and woeful stretches of North Michigan Ave. But we settled on three which might have the greatest continuing impact on into the new year.

Heading up this list has to be the ongoing crippling effect of the economic recession not only here but globally. Extremely fortunate are some projects of note which were well into construction and secured financing before the downturn hit. Case in point, Trump Tower (which still is challenged to sell out its units), The Legacy, Aqua Tower, and One Museum Place lead this group. Conversely, one of the most anticipated and acclaimed projects in the world - Calatrava's Spire -remains just a gigantic "hole in one." In spite of the liens and shriveling up of needed capital to restart and finish this iconic building, we predict that all parties involved will find a way to overcome extraordinary odds to get this thing done.

Next at the top of this list is the conflict over locating the new Chicago Children's Museum - formerly of Navy Pier, although when the mayor makes his mind up about a project (see Meigs Field), it is all but gift wrapped and delivered. Yet, the jury is still out on the finalities of this project. In the face of editorial alternatives touting better locales, reports slamming subterranean children's museums, and increasing public scrutiny of the project, the pro-Grant Park forces march forward undaunted. We anticipate additional design concessions, but ultimately expect to see another building staking a claim in Chicago's front yard.

What may be regarded as surprise inclusion here are preservation concerns. With each passing decade, the issue of preserving as many of our historical architectural treasures as we can has heightened in the public consciousness. In the spotlight  of late has been efforts to recognize, rescue and restore mid-century modern masterpieces.  Additionally, mainstays such as Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House in Plano, IL continues to be ravaged by the floodwaters in its Fox River Valley locale. On another front, little movement seems to be detected in raising the necessary capital to fund the restoration of Louis Sullivan's fire-decimated Pilgrim Baptist Church on south Prairie Ave. On a more positive note, the discovery of a few Sullivan-designed storefront facades at 18, 22 and 28 S. Wabash Ave are in the process of restoration by Chicago architects T. "Gunny" Harboe and Douglas Gilbert. With numerous other projects due to be unveiled or re-adapted, look for 2009 to yield a few more pleasant surprises in the preservation effort.

ANOTHER  PROPOSED UNIQUE TOWER IN JEOPARDY 

Hines Interest development at 444 W. Lake St.

CHICAGO DEC 16, 2008-– These days it seems all too frequent that the "best laid plans of mice and men come to naught." So it is with another statement-making downtown structure - 200 N. Riverside Plaza. The 52-story office tower proposed for development along the Chicago River by Hines Interests L P is being crunched by the current credit crisis. According to ChicagoBusiness.com, Hines needs a $328-million construction loan but has only $200 million committed by a group of four banks thus far. Another $30 million in equity is required from Hines or an outside investor before making any additional loans for the project. Hines has already appropriated $128 million in equity to this point and would be incurring a greater percentage of risk with further personal investment.  The $536-million skyscraper designed by Pickard Chilton Architects Inc. of New Haven, CT was scheduled to begin construction in 2009 and has already secured two high-profile tenants: investment bank William Blair & Co. LLC and law firm Baker & McKenzie LLP.

A RESIDENTIAL RENAISSANCE

By Darrell Jones

Residences of Bradley Place II near Addison & Western

CHICAGO NOV 24, 2008-– While much has been made of the effect the current economic slowdown has had on Chicago's high-rise boom, the city's low-rise residential projects continue to spring up at various locales around town. This trend exists despite the downward spiral in new housing starts which typically reflect the suburban market more because of its greater availability of buildable space. Several examples of new and soon-to-be-completed low-rise residential tracts in the "windy city" include: Parkside homes at Lakeshore East, Residences at Bradley Place, Hartland Park, The Jazz District, Oakwood Shores, Chicago Haven on West Madison and Park Boulevard at 35th and State. Taken together, these new housing developments comprised of similar exterior elements are indications of movement toward the next generation of distinctive architectural housing.

For more than a century, Chicago has quilted together neighborhood patterns of single-family and 2-3-flat homes defined by bungalows, Victorian and European-styles, Prairie-style, ranches, brownstones, Cape Cod interpretations and other eclectic blends. These houses have each featured their own unique mix of layouts, materials and colors. Although today's current projects don't adhere to one identifiable design style, they do appear to share a few common characteristics. Among them are: the use of brick throughout, earthtone colors of browns, reds, and off-whites, front steps leading to a porch on a 1 1/2 to 2-story building many sporting a large arch over an entryway or window. One reason for the consistent look across residences is that only a few developers are responsible for them.

Generally speaking, these new single and multi-family units do project a grit, strength and character expected in urban areas. This is a hopeful trend because of how easy it might be for developers to conceive suburban-style enclaves within city limits if they were so inclined to go in that direction. So while Chicago will maintain its architectural eclecticism beyond any current dominant design trends, don't be surprised to see a slight directional shift in architectural housing styles filling pockets of our urban landscape for some time to come.   

SULLIVAN ICON READY'S FOR REBIRTH

By Darrell Jones

Sullivan Center, 33 S. State St.

CHICAGO OCT 20, 2008-– One of Chicago's most revered architectural mainstays is poised to begin yet another of its seemingly "9 lives." The former Schlesinger & Mayer department store which most us identify as the long time home of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. is now morphing into its latest personality - the Sullivan Center. Though this 1903 national landmark's facade has been under wraps for months at the intersection of State & Madison, vibrant and visible change has continued within its interior.  Over 1 million sq. ft. is being divided up for office, academic and retail use. Among the Sullivan Center's new tenants is the project's developers - Joseph Freed and Associates LLC whose headquarters will occupy the fourth floor.  Additionally, the architecture and engineering firm of PSA-Dewberry has leased almost 11,000 sq. ft. and is consolidating its Naperville and South Loop offices there by Dec.1.  In 2007, the architecture and fashion departments at the School of the Art Institute moved into its new digs at the Center. Recently, the SAIC opened 32,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space on the seventh floor for its new Sullivan Galleries. Utilizing 25,000 sq. ft. of available space opened by the vacated Carson's department store, current plans are to have the high-end retailer Fox & Obel store taking occupancy upon completion of the renovations. Several pictures of what looks to be an elegantly restored lobby and various sections of the facade can be viewed at www.jfreed.com.

DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY

By Ross Renjilian

Glen Tower Center, Glenview, IL

CHICAGO SEPT 28, 2008-– Many architecture firms become recognized for creating beautiful, sleek, and innovative buildings. Whether these buildings shoot up into the infinite blue, demonstrate values, or house some of our most prized possessions, they typically stand alone in solemnity. Today's architecture firms take on these "breakout" projects focusing all their energy on this one structure by creating what they hope to be an "icon" from start to finish. Pappageorge and Haymes Ltd. has been a firm with much of their focus in the Chicagoland area via large contributions to housing restorations, townhome communities, and even residential skyscrapers. In Chicago's continually emerging, constantly evolving cityscape, this is a firm that seems to be determined to be front and center in the discussion as to what shape this city's built environment is going to take in the near and distant future. Creating whole "walkable" communities with local restaurants, retail, entertainment, accessible transportation and communal green space has become a primary way in which Pappageorge & Haymes is leading the way in fostering interaction between people and the built environment.

One of their best examples of this firm's community approach is the Glen Tower Center located in Glenview, IL. This project focused on the redevelopment of an abandoned naval air base through providing high-density housing and mixed-use programs. The Glen Tower Center incorporates townhomes, apartments, retail shops, department stores, a movie theater, parking facilities , and of course, restaurants. The area also takes advantage of open park spaces, allowing people to escape from the congestion of main street. Glen Tower Center has been extremely successful in its objective to create an environment in which people can comfortably interact with each other and their surroundings.

LOCAL ARCHITECTURE'S UPCOMING SEASON

New mezzanine at Grand & State substation

CHICAGO SEPT 8, 2008-– If you had an opportunity to see any of China's iconic contemporary architecture during the 2008 summer games, you no doubt couldn't help but be impressed. While Chicago doesn't have an upcoming season of anticipated projects which would quite measure up to any of that, we do have a number of exciting developments to look forward to this season and beyond. Some of these new design/build projects will potentially have an immediate and lasting impact upon our urban environment, visually and functionally. Several are as follows:

• The Grand/State CTA - Red Line Station. Work continues to progress on this vital transportation hub which services an estimated 8,000 patrons daily. The renovation will add over 2,000 sq. ft. of mezzanine space along with new granite floors and stairs, glazed wall tiles, new elevators & escalators, kiosks and more.

• The Roosevelt Rd. Metra Station. Truly an overdue renovation  project if their ever was one. This station is one the city's more strategic portals near Soldier Field and the Museum Campus. The old platforms have all but been replaced along with new heated shelters . Elevators are currently being installed with the rickety wooded pedestrian walkway to be made kindling next.

• The Residences at Lakeshore East. Chicago's newest major neighborhood is in the midst of its final phase as it adds a number of single-family residences and retail spaces to ring the perimeter of its ventrally-positioned iconic park area. Additionally, Jeanne Gang's Aqua Tower sits to the west of this development and is sure to be an attention-grabbing part of the entire area.

• Roosevelt Square. Driving through the circle one can see a noticeable section of construction framework and scaffolding rising from among the glut of structures in the south Loop. This new urban plan promises to bring new life and vitality to this section of Chicago's South Loop through the development of a "walkable" community of residences, retail, restaurants, entertainment and public space.

• Carson Pirie Scott Store. As frustrating as it has been to have Sullivan's historic landmark work under wraps all year for restoration, its good to hear that interior spaces are being re-adapted and utilized for School of the Art Institute classes and a public gallery. Its ultimate success will no doubt be measured by the installation of a proposed food market in the lobby space.

• Additional Projects of Note. Several other projects with high expectations moving toward conclusion which will command our attention are: Block 37 and 22 W. Washington CBS2 Studios, One Museum Park and the Blue Cross Blue Shield building vertical addition.

COULD CHICAGO TOP BEIJING IF 2016 BECOMES OUR TURN?

By Darrell Jones

National Center for the Performing Arts - Beijing

CHICAGO AUG 25, 2008-– Wow would probably be an apt exclamation for the effort and outcome resulting from the XXIX Olympiad held in Beijing China. As exciting as the summer Olympics can be and Michael Phelps doing a fine impression as Aquaman, much of the buzz this year was generated from the cutting-edge Chinese architecture both old and new. Along with the CCTV irregularly-shaped building, the Bird's Nest stadium and the Water Cube have presented worldwide-watchers with stunning backdrops, night shots, and aerial images of these structures. Total costs for these games have been reported at over $44 billion.

So where does Chicago fit in the game of 'one-upsmanship" in its hopes of impressing a good part of world still ignorant of Chicago's emerging presence of the world stage in the vein of New York, Paris, London and Rome? Well, for one, we certainly aren't expected to spend with the fanatical abandon of the Chinese government. Second, China is seeking to show its positioning itself as a 21st century player in economics, culture and architecture. Chicago, I believe is that already as its markets, politics, cuisine, and of course architecture has put it on the map in subjects of global opinion.

With Chicago's present world-class mix of classic and contemporary architecture, we don't need to blow anyone with new Olympic structures. However, we do need to design to a standard of excellence and innovation we've already set for more than a century. The hope is that if we land the 2016 games, we would proudly improve the design/build environment and transport infrastructure which currently exists. Landing these games should be see as an opportunity to show the world how and why we defined progressive architecture.

CBS 2 BROADCAST SCREEN OUT OF PLACE

By Darrell Jones

View from Washington St.

CHICAGO AUG 3, 2008-– Forget the "curse of the Billy goat;" the "curse of Block 37" yet lives!  No, its not that the 17-story office building at 22 West Washington is not going to be completed-on the contrary; its due to be finished this summer with what looks to be a well-designed and well-placed shinny new broadcast studio. Although its retail neighbors hit a snag with the axing of the super transit station project, it is otherwise on track as well. No, my beef is with the past week's revelation of what its new outdoor broadcast screen will look like. Too many times when given a seminal moment to make an architectural statement which is worthy of our reputation and could move us forward, corporate or civic heads go brain dead and we're left with a legacy of less. Several notable examples ever with us are the River North McDonald's on steroids and landmark-stripped re-fitted Soldier Field to name a couple (see Chicago's Not So Magnificent Seven in local archives).

Unfortunately, Chicagoans are left once again with second-tier design results as WBBM-Ch 2 president and general manger, Joe Ahern and other suits chose to overrule their architect's opinions for the size and location of this screen fronting Daley Plaza at Dearborn and Washington Streets. Ralph Johnson of Perkins + Will planned for a screen, I believe, that was much anticipated in the playful energy it would add to an enlivening State Street theater district.  Johnson's designs called for a unit which would be larger and stretch horizontally 80' to the corner or at least would've had the smaller unit asymmetrically placed. We got neither. Instead of contributing to a mini-Times Square-like feel emerging in the area, the little screen (30' x 19') they settled for seems more like an afterthought or typical video billboard found on many buildings today. Worse yet, the exposed framework behind it looks as though its unfinished. If CBS 2's goal is to step into the arena with the broadcast news big boys (ABC 7 and NBC 5), it just embarrassingly tripped on the way up to center stage. 

Public sentiment at least in the blogesphere seems to be revealing a general angst at the broadcast screen's size and placement. I hope that CBS 2 reconsiders this design in consideration for Chicago's architectural reputation and the wishes of the community it purports to serve. Our hope and our appeal is that they will give is something to readily embrace and be proud to show-off for years to come.

DOLLAR BILLS, PALM TREES & OTHER GREEN THINGS

By Darrell Jones

Bridge to Millennium from New Modern Wing

CHICAGO JULY 27, 2008-– Somehow I imagined the bridge leading from the Art Institute's New Modern Wing to Millennium Park would be thin, flat and somewhat transparent. Seeing it now for the view-obstructing "half-pipe" structure that it is, my impressions are--not cool.

In light of the stalled construction at the future home of Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications and the recent radio ad appeals for contributions, its unbelievable and shameful that this project is not more widely supported or sufficiently funded.

Speaking of stalled projects, I hope the Waterview Tower on Wacker is able to resume construction soon. Looks to be a nice riverfront addition.

Funny how the idea of a Public Housing Museum here in Chicago always seems to draw chuckles and sarcasm from whomever I mention it to.

Along that line, unsolicited suggestions for possible rides included an elevator which stalls, drops and breaks for several days and a courtyard obstacle course complete with a hot asphalt barefoot walk and sniper- evasion run. 

Since green roofs are all the rage, how long before we start to see actual "green" buildings covered with Wrigley Field-type ivy on all sides?

No matter what they do, they'll unfortunately never be able to make a continuous Riverwalk along the Chicago River. 

Did anyone hear about the Palm trees purported to be brought in for this summer's AVP tournament at North Ave. Beach? What next, faux mountains placed as a backdrop for the next PGA Tour event in here?

Has anyone noticed the textbook-like layout of the city's skyscrapers in view as you drive into the Loop on the Dan Ryan Expressway?

Isn't the silence deafening now that the mayor has appeared to come through victorious in placing his new subterranean Children's Museum in Grant Park?

Are plans in the works or deals on the table bringing Chicago its first major movie studio lot yet?   

CHURCH STREET VILLAGE

THE REVITALIZATION OF EVANSTON’S WEST SIDE

Press Release

Evanston, IL – Cyrus Homes has partnered with Indie Energy to provide affordable year round heating and cooling from geo exchange systems provided by Indie Energy at their newest development, Church Street Village.  Church Street Village, a Townhouse Green located at 1613-1691, offers 40 brand-new, all-brick two and three bedroom town homes from $389,900. The development is 50 percent sold as of this month.

The town homes at Church Street Village will be built to LEED certified standards in order to ensure that it is a truly “green” community.  It is one of the first residential communities in the country to offer geo thermal energy systems which, in addition to Energy Star appliances and double insulated windows cut energy usage.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the geo exchange system is the most efficient HVAC system on the market.  Not only does the use of the geo exchange system reduce wasted energy but it also reduces the cost.  As a result of the over all efficient system a homeowner can expect to see up to 70% energy savings on annual operating costs. 

The developers have recycled over 6,000 tons of material that was on site that would normally be taken away to landfills and re-used it for the community’s construction.  In addition, they are offering non-V.O.C. (Volatile Organic Compound) paint and the option for non-V.O.C. carpeting, as well as exploring environmentally safe alternatives to insulation which includes made from recycled blue jeans! 

In addition to their mission of providing eco-friendly option in Evanston, Cyrus Homes and Indie Energy teamed up with Community Builders to offer guidance and jobs to local residents.  Community Builders, overall goal is to provide workforce development and life skills acquisition opportunities for young people in a wide variety of fields.  Many of the people that come to their program are high school dropouts who had been unemployed or working dead-end, low-wage jobs before starting the program. Some had also been involved in illegal activities.  These individuals are trained in a skill and then work on projects within the community, such as Church Street Village.

“We are pleased to see such a great response to this unique living opportunity that Church Street Village brings to Evanston”, notes Walter Kihm, Jr., Chairman of Cyrus Homes and a life long resident of Evanston.  “As native Evanstonians, we want to give back to the community not only by bringing an attractive and high-quality development to its west side but also by contributing to this forward thinking community with an energy conscious neighborhood”

Indie Energy, located at 1020 Church Street in Evanston is a clean-technology energy services company.  They design, finance, install and maintain energy systems based on an innovative combination of new technologies and renewable energy sources: geothermal and solar.  Visit www.indieenergy.com for more information on Indie Energy and geo thermal energy systems.

Church Street Village is located at Church Street and Florence Avenue within walking distance to parks, the CTA, Metra and downtown Evanston.  The Sales Center is now open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 PM or by appointment.  To schedule your visit to Church Street Village, please call 877-879-5900 x 101 or visit www.churchstvillage.com to request more information on this new community.  

A Wee Bit of Scottish Flair in Chicago Design

By Ross Renjilian

The Scottish Manor in Deerfield, IL

Orren Pickell is one of Chicago’s leading residential home designers which specialize in grand homes, classy styles, and luxurious details finished with the industry’s finest materials. This summer Pickell is at it again with not just one house, but with an entire development. “Tarns of the Moor” is located in the Deerfield, IL and is the setting for one of Orren Pickell’s newest masterpieces-the aptly named “Scottish Manor.” This grand, super-sized, European-styled mansion has set the tone for what we can expect from this housing development in terms of scale and style with its castle-like feel.

After visiting the “Scottish Manor”, I left with a desire to pack up all of my belongings and move in the next day. The truth is all of my stuff would fit into a small corner of this estate home as it is “nearly” 9,000 square feet boasting 6 bedrooms, 5.3 baths, 7 fireplaces, and to top it off- a pub in the basement!  Unfortunately, upon learning that the price tag was but a “mere” $4.8 million, my desire was quickly demoted to dreaming.

The house has several interesting layout features from a design standpoint. Yet, despite its size, the “Scottish Manor” actually possesses a very quaint feel.  It’s worth noting that the entrance was not overdone or extremely dramatic as many are apt to be for this type of high-end residence. To create a more old-style feel, the front windows were leaded which also adds privacy, but also sets a tone for anticipation of what’s inside.  The dining room is located right in the center of the house, visible upon entry. This was a bold move because the foyer was toned down in order to put a hierarchy on the center table.

The house is split up into two different sections; one side is for formal entertaining whereas the other side has a more rustic-home feel and is designated as the living area. In order to create this contrast, different materials and languages were used to create these divergent spaces. The formal section used many curves, to give it a smooth flowing feel. These curves were used in the arched doorways, the barrel vaulted corridor, an oval shaped dining room, and a cylindrical foyer accompanied by a spiral staircase. The area used much cooler colors and shades of light gray and creams in the walls and furnishings. The floors were a combination of acacia wood and travertine stone. The rustic side, although not devoid of any luxury does carry a much warmer feel. It does so through its use of materials such as hand scraped oak floors, granite countertops, slate stove back drop, cherry cabinetry, and limestone. The house is suited with top of the line appliances which are masked in order to keep the rustic feel.

A new and unique design decision was to create, not one, but two master suites in strategic locations. While the primary master suite is located on the first floor, Orren Pickell has placed another essentially versatile suite on the second floor. The idea behind this is to make the house more flexible to the eventual owner who would be able to exercise a preference of locating their sleeping quarters on the first floor, second floor or maybe even both.

My overall impressions were that the “Scottish Manor’s” interior is very well-organized with ample space for living and storage. Within the context of high-end residential design, this house makes a definite statement with its grand size, intricate details, and lavish use of materials. It is this skillful approach the “Scottish Manor” masters in creating an elegantly cohesive living space which make this type of luxury a dream destination not just for this writer but for many.

                  Green is the New Pink

Inside of one Chicago’s more trendy residential complexes

By Ross Renjilian

Interior of the newly opened Emerald

CHICAGO, IL, JUNE 16, 2008-Styles and trends come and go. At one time bellbottoms were the must haves, the yoyo was one of the most popular toys, and everyone had, yes, a pet rock. The truth is that the realm of architecture also goes through many cycles of different styles and trends, and right now that trend is “going green”.

The Emerald is a recently completed residential building that is ironically and perhaps intentionally located on “Green” Street. Chicago-based architects Pappageorge/Haymes, Ltd.  designed The Emerald and have ownership of numerous other projects throughout Chicago. The residential building is a twin tower set-up, which is connected by an 8,000 square-foot foyer and lobby space. What makes the Emerald truly unique is its substantial effort to bring green, recycled and sustainable materials into the built environment. These materials were demonstrated in their $4 million lobby, which included: LED/ Fluorescent lighting, Bamboo veneers, recycled glass terrazzo/ quartz floors, recycled glass countertops, and even green furniture made from sustainable materials. Beyond the Lobby, The Emerald also gives residents the option of putting green features into their residences including recycled counter tops and bamboo flooring. With this idea in mind, the Emerald’s selling point is a green lifestyle, in which they create an image for themselves, and that is making green design trendy and fashionable.

On the surface the Emerald demonstrates many innovative uses of green materials, but unfortunately missed the mark by not being a LEED certified building. The building has been in planning for the last three years, and three years ago green technology was still under development. Therefore architecturally the building does not demonstrate innovative technologies, or design efforts, which cater to a more sustainable or green design. With the new trend being “green”, even though the LEEDS criteria was not established when the building was originally conceived, Pappageorge/Haymes, Ltd made a good effort to incorporate sustainable finishes into the completed building in order to minimize its environmental impact. Overall, The Emerald is a nice residential building, with beautiful panoramic views of the city, and inviting spaces that create a fun and trendy atmosphere. The use of sustainable and green materials is also a ever-widening sphere of innovation in today’s residential design program. It was a great idea to think about sustainable and green solutions into the final finishes to keep pace with current green trends. The Emerald demonstrates that even though a building was not originally designed to fulfill LEED’s standard, it can incorporate aspects of sustainable design prior to its final completion and thus reducing its carbon footprint on the earth.  

Chicago Firms Show Their "CAN-Do" Attitude

Canstruction of Chicago Skyscrapers

Chicago, IL, June 10, 2008-If you didn't have the good fortune to have grown up using LEGO's, viewing the 2nd Annual Chicago Canstruction at the Merchandise Mart might bring back memories of your of your innovative childhood improvisations. In conjunction with the Greater Chicago Food Depository (CFD), 20 top local architectural and engineering design firms unleashed their precocious inner-child as they utilized over 86,000 full cans of food ranging from Spam to Campbell's Soup to construct scaled-models of notable figures. These food items will be donated to the CFD at the conclusion of the exhibition. Among the obvious favorites on display were Booth Hansen's "paCmAN," RJN Group, Inc.'s A SOUPer Bowl of Nutrition and 4240 Architecture's "Tuna City."  Maybe this exhibit represents the next step in renewable and sustainable building resources for environmentally-conscious design or maybe its just cool and fun way to contribute to a good and noteworthy cause. Canstruction Chicago 2008 will be on display to the public now thru June 22 at 350 W. Mart Center Drive (Apparel Center). The AIA-Chicago, SEAOI, SMPS and other were sponsors.

Chicago's Not So Magnificent Seven

By Darrell Jones

Museum of Contemporary Art

Chicago, IL, May 26, 2008-Over the last 20 years, Chicago has seen the construction of more architecturally significant projects than most cities around the nation could ever imagine for themselves. While these projects represent signs of economic health and growth in our city, they also represent additional pieces to the overall mosaic which defines the character of our built environment. For better or for worse, once these structures are thrust upon us they become new "in-laws" among our family of buildings.

Chicago over recent decades has grown increasingly more conscious and more proud of its architectural heritage and place in the world. When great architecture which is innovative or an aesthetic-knockout is produced, we share a collective pride and joy-not unlike a proud proud parent or child. So, it stands to reason, we feel diminished, perhaps more so than other municipalities, when an opportunity for greatness is lost or squandered by the new construction of a bland, unattractive, or backward-reaching structure.

Recognizing the long term negative impact these underachieving buildings have on our visual environment, Chicago Architecture Today has compiled a list of what we believe to be seven of the city's greatest missed architectural design opportunities. Perhaps you agree with our list, have others which should be on it or some which you think shouldn't have made it. Feel free to let us know what you think.

The Museum of Contemporary Art - 1996, designed by Berlin architect Josef Paul Kleihues: An above ground bunker or handball walls extreme.

Soldier Field -2003, designed by Wood + Zapata, Inc: The resulting renovation brought about a delisting of the stadium as a national historic landmark. This marriage of old and new (which doesn't pass muster as good contemporary design) may be the most hideous I've ever seen.

Rock n' Roll McDonald's - 2005, designed by McDonald's corporate in-house group: Great forward-looking designs submitted by Helmut Jahn et. al rejected for this giant happy meal box.

Harold Washington Library - 1991, designed by Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge, Inc.: This oversized retro-styled behemoth eclipses all light and life in the south loop.

U.S. Cellular Field -1991, designed by HOK Sport, Kansas City, HKS, Inc,: Parked resides in the no-man's land of mediocrity between the great neo-classic designs and the exciting contemporary facilities.

Navy Pier - 1992, Renovated: 1992 by Benjamin Thompson and Vickery/Ovresat/Awsumb: Despite its popularity everyone knows it needs another major redo.

Trump Tower - scheduled completion 2008, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Honestly, the building isn't half bad, but the footprint somewhat overwhelms the site, the glass used for the curtain wall is not the the first and best choice, and the shape once again seeks to evoke the designs of past local icons instead of stimulating new architectural dialogue for contemporary construction as is occurring today in Asia and the Middle East.   

Looptopia + Architecture = ?

By Darrell Jones

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.

Observations, Opinions & Rants about Architecture

By Darrell Jones

The South Loop's Emerging One Museum Park Skyscraper

Chicago, IL, April 28, 2008-The Chicago Tribune's editorial alternatives for re-locating the Children's Museum away from Grant Park and to either Northerly Island, Lincoln Park, and the near West side are 3 great ideas which will be totally ignored by city hall.

Does anybody else think Calatrava's original Spire design looked more elegant than the current chubby one? Does anyone even remember?

I think an antenna or something would make the Spire look a bit more complete; don't you?

Every summer since the cows "paraded" around town, the city has tried to re-capture that glory with as much success as the Bulls current playoff run... Oh wait...nevermind.

Come on, admit it. You dislike the look of Trump Tower just because of Donald Trump. That works for me.

If you've never been on one of those river boat tours or its been a few years, shame on you!

With the exception of the Spire, is there any more highly anticipated building than Jeanne Gang's Aqua Tower?

Will the new home of the Museum of Broadcast Communications ever get the funding for construction to become the amazing resource that its ready to be?

Is it me or has the latest behemoth-One Museum Park-in the south Loop snuck up on you too?

One of the coolest things will be the opening of the Nickerson House at 25 East Erie Street as a public museum preserving its exterior and interior furnishings. 

The Power of a Place

By Darrell Jones

Chicago, IL, April 6, 2008-As America's pastime heralds the arrival of Spring, the faithful are religiously populating the temples of the athletic idols of their affection. Most of these "temples" or

stadiums though loaded with fan-friendly and high-tech amenities, tend only to hold the attention and allegiance of their patrons as long as their team is playing well. Fair enough. Notably, there are a few venues which stand out because of their place in the history of the sport i.e. Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Wimbledon, Augusta National, etc. Yet, one place stands out in defiance of continuous championship moments because of its inherit power in the psyche of its visitors--Chicago's iconic Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs. As the Chicago National League Ball club plays out the century mark since its last World Series championship, its 94-year-old facility is notoriously cramped, crumbling and out-dated in its infrastructure. Nevertheless, Wrigley Field has been filled to capacity and is almost as sought a ticket as when Jordan's Bulls graced the United Center. In a recent AIA survey of the nation's most beloved architectural spaces, Wrigley Field led the list among Chicago's nominees.

In spite of this iconic popularity, Wrigley Field has been named this past week to the list of Illinois' top 11 most endangered landmarks by Landmark Illinois due to its impending sell and talk of possible renovations. Needless to say, concern for the historical integrity of this ballpark has been loudly voiced by its passionate patrons. Make no mistake, the passion for this place is real and intense. Although we may rarely vocalize it, we do care deeply about many of our significant spaces. For you it may be an iconic place or a place on a smaller scale like the local bar, a favorite club or workout facility, a park, bedroom or rec room area.  Regardless of the preferred venue, the time spent, experiences shared and emotions invested, cherished spaces often reveal the power an endearing built environment can have in all of our lives. Perhaps this fall Wrigley Field can will finally reward the Championship-weary Sun worshippers with memories so positive as to solidify the power of that place in the consciousness of its faithful forever?  

Re-Making  the "Un"-Magnificent Mile

By Darrell Jones

Chicago, IL, March 4, 2008-In an article reported last week by Crain's Chicago Business, the less magnificent portions of Michigan Avenue may be receiving an extreme makeover. Anyone who has traveled the length of Michigan Avenue from Randolph Street to the south, and as far as Wacker Street to the north, knows that there is little reason in between  to slow one's pace. With a hodgepodge of cheap retail, dark cavity-like spaces, and uninspired plazas, this strip has long been the architectural and retail pimple on the princess that is North Michigan Avenue and its newer sister - the southern end dubbed the "Cultural Mile."  According to Crain's, the Chicago Loop Alliance and the city's department of planning and Development along with 42nd Ward alderman Brendan Reilly have brought on a group of architects, retail experts and urban planners to submit a plan to elevate the the profile of the section in scrutiny.

On the table for consideration are the construction of two sets of "landscaped, ornamental steps leading from Michigan Avenue to the Illinois Center Office complex" not unlike the Spanish steps in Rome. The stairs would be designated for the southeast corner of Michigan and South Water Street and at 321-325 N. Michigan Ave. where a low-rise currently sets. Additionally, plans are to extend Lake Street to Columbus Avenue and add new lighting at street level in concert with the modernistic tones of Millennium Park. The planning department has indicated that they will most likely not be accepting all the proposals. Nonetheless, we assume that they are aware of the chance for a bold and forward-thinking solution to truly make a lasting, indeed world class statement here. We trust that they will sign on to the ideas which will not only be the most feasible financially but also architecturally innovative and functionally sensible.  

Environmental Facility Set to "Nest" in the Calumet Region

By Darrell Jones

Chicago, IL, February 11, 2008-Beijing isn't the only place that knows how to put together an imaginative, oversized bird's nest. Looks like Chicago is going to put together its version of one of nature's most basic living arrangements. The Chicago Plan Commission has recently approved the development of the 27,000 square-foot Ford Calumet Environmental Center. Located in the far southeastern community of Hegewisch, the "Best Nest Building" so-named by its designers - the Chicago-based Studio Gang Architects - is scheduled to begin construction this June.  Studio Gang was awarded the commission after winning a 2004 city-sponsored national design competition for a "green building" project.  According the firm's website, the new center will serve to "educate visitors on the past and the present of the Calumet region's unique patchwork of industrial and natural areas."

Although the site selected is most associated with the nearby Ford Chicago Assembly Plant, the area is also home to the 4,000-acre Calumet Open Space Reserve of marshes, wetlands and prairies. The project, funded by the Ford Motor Company, the city of Chicago, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was delayed due to land-acquisition issues.

The building's nest-like design incorporates indigenous materials which are abundant and even discarded. The structural composition of the building utilizes "salvaged steel from the Calumet industrial region and other recyclable materials such as slag. Studio Gang's website also reveals that the south facing porch is enclosed within a basket-like mesh of salvaged steel which protects the migrating bird population from collisions with the glass they cannot see.  Additionally, an outdoor classroom will be the result for visitors and becomes a window for observing wildlife.

Jorge Perez, executive director of the Calumet Area Industrial Commission, in statements to nwi.com has stated his excitement for the project. "We're excited that it passed the Plan Commission and building will proceed." Perez said. "It feeds off the Calumet land use plan that looks at opportunities for industrial projects and open space, and what can be preserved and reclaimed. It will be a great gem for the area."  

The Making of Convention City-Chicago style

By Darrell Jones

Chicago, IL, January 14, 2008-Plans have been announced for new 21-story hotel towers to be constructed across from the recently completed McCormick Place West building on 2.7 acres of land on east 22nd street. When built, the 1,500-room facility will also include restaurants, retail shops, 100,000 square feet of meeting space, and possibly a casino if the approved by the Illinois General Assembly. The Alter Group Ltd. which may have beaten McPier to the acquisition of this parcel of land has chosen architect Lucien Lagrange to design the hotel.  Lagrange has several current projects in various stages of development around the city ranging from the traditionally-designed Elysian Hotel at 11 East Walton to the distinctly contemporary and publicly-contested X/O Condominium also in the south loop. 

Alter Group's hotel complex would be the 4th largest hotel in the city. If they land the casino they covet for this prime venue near McCormick Place and key expressway interchanges, this somewhat stark, uninviting outdoor local could be transformed into another major tourist destination within the city. In some cases, this emerging convention complex-especially with casino-if realized, will be the first prolonged experience these tourists will have with Chicago. The design of this hotel is a choice opportunity to not only put our best foot forward aesthetically but to also thoughtfully shape the architectural character of an emerging streetscape. The no-nonsense clean, contemporary lines of the new McCormick Place West has set the standard. The placement of another separate high-profile hotel across the way form it will most likely enliven outdoor areas with pedestrian traffic between facilities.

In the context of this unique opportunity, we're hoping that Lucien Lagrange will seize it to smartly and pleasingly integrate the now dormant landscape into a vibrant theme which ties all parts into a cohesive whole. This entails the design of "green space," human-scaled building entrances, lighting, public seating, walkways, and casino marquee's (if applicable). We see this as a chance to define a singularly specialized "neighborhood" with an architectural flair and functionality while not sacrificing a new modernity which proudly proclaims "Chicago!"         

Area Architectural innovation Goes Back to the Future

By Darrell Jones

Chicago, IL, December 31, 2007-Worldwide, Chicago is known to be, among other things, the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. It is an urban center which boasts world class cultural institutions like The Art Institute if Chicago. Yet, there is no need for this city to memorialize its architectural treasures through the confines of four walls. On the contrary, what remains among our past structural masterpieces which have not thoughtlessly been destroyed comprise exhibits of a living, functional museum of design innovation on a grand scale. Although Chicago has had its moments of breakthrough with cutting-edge architectural design, recent history has given us more noteworthy projects in Europe, Asia, and as of late, the Middle East. In some ways, we seem to be only reflecting the glories of our past. But, the city which has been challenged "to make no little plans." has re-awakened to discover the freshness, fearlessness and fun of edgy design as it once again embraces this creed through the work of several bright, young members of our architectural community. Projects completed this year such as 340 on the Park, the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, and Optima Old Orchard Woods along the Edens Expressway are a few of the shining stars which appear to lead Chicago back to its former status as leader in modernistic design.

Yet, the new year brings with it the threat of slowing or even sidetracking some of the city's latest architectural forays into the future. The economic downturn in the housing market with its ripple effects throughout the lending community have jeopardized the viability of such projects as the Waterview Tower, X/O condominiums, and even the Spire itself. Since most of these on-the-board projects have a greater residential component to them than other uses, they find themselves at a greater risk of stalling. With the optimism that any year brings. lets hope that we've seen the worst of our housing woes but just the beginning of a future re-establishing Chicago as the place to experience the next wave of architectural innovations.    

Downtown Edifices Shine as Stars during the Holiday Season

By Darrell Jones

Dec 17, 2007

Who says only single-family homes can have all the fun during Christmas time getting decked out in lights, holly and reindeer? Well, certainly not some downtown edifices in Chicago. In what has become an annual installment during the holiday season, a fair number of our old mainstays like the Merchandise Mart and the Hancock Center, and a few of our new arrivals on the block i.e. 191 N LaSalle and 311 S. Wacker dress-up in their Yule tide best for locals and tourists alike to enjoy. Many of these office buildings flood their upper floors with alternating red and green lights in either vertical or horizontal patterns. In addition to this, the placing of large wreaths over entryways and the stringing of lights through the trees along their fairways have become staples to our streetscape during this time of year. It has been pleasing to observe-at least in a few cases-how our buildings tend to mimic us as they aspire to wardrobe changes befitting the various celebrations of life. Office towers such as the AON Center, the Blue Cross Blue Shield buildings even utilize their facades year-round by arranging their interior lights to announce certain events or causes like local professional athletic team playoffs, breast cancer awareness or Chicago's Olympic bid. So here's to our big shouldered neighbors in the loop and beyond and their desire to shake off the doldrums and step out into the night wearing their holiday best. Party on!  

New Spertus Facade Flashes onto Historic Michigan Ave. 

By Darrell Jones

Nov 26, 2007

While vacationing in Chicago this summer from France, a tourist cited one of the things he liked best about the city was how the older buildings where everywhere in juxtaposition with the new.  Nowhere is that more evident than at 610 S. Michigan Avenue where the new home of the contemporary-styled Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies sits wedged between its more traditionally-designed neighbors. The $55 million multi-purpose center which includes galleries, a library, a 400-seat theater, high-tech classrooms, a Wolfgang Puck cafe and a gift shop will be officially unveiled to the public Friday, November 30. The jewel-like 10-story designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm of Krueck + Sexton, also lauded for their innovative work in Millennium Park which includes the Harris Theater and Crown Fountain, stands out along the historic Michigan Avenue streetwall in many ways. The multiple angles of the 161-foot-tall, 80-foot-wide glass facade turns a corner from the norm of flat-surfaced curtain walls of typical post-modern skyscrapers. The structure boasts an exterior composition of 726 individual pieces of glass of which there are 556 diverse shapes. To further add to the gem-like appearance of the facade, the size of these pieces vary in size though most typically are 4'x 7' with a lower section extending out as a canopy over the entrance approximately 4 feet. The glass facade has a light smoky-gray tint to the passerby owing to the interior and exterior lamination for solar glare reduction.

As one would expect judging from the building's exterior composition, the interior utilizes transparent walls, skylights and clean open spaces to promote the entry of natural light throughout. Although some of these interiors areas can be publicly viewed at no cost such as the gift shop and lobby, the galleries will require a fee to enter. 

The newly-remodeled facility represents another radical step toward out-of-the-box post-modern design framing Chicago's front yard. With the recent approval of Lucien Lagrange's XO Condominiums, Jeanne Gang's Aqua tower in Lakeshore East, and other similar proposed projects, the Chicago architectural design community is showing an increasing comfort level in flexing its innovative-muscle moving the city once again toward the forefront of cutting-edge architectural design.     

Final Identity of Block 37 Could Define a Revamped State Street 

By Darrell Jones

Nov 5, 2007

As construction continues at pace as brisk as Chicago's pre-winter weather on the once thought-to-be accursed Block 37, rumors about possible future high-profile tenants are also moving at a similar pace.  While the attention-grabbing development bounding State, Washington, Dearborn and Randolph Streets already claims CBS2 News and a David Barton Gym, plans are in the works for an 800-seat, seven screen movie complex.  In addition, the multi-use project to be completed in phases by Joseph Freed and Associates of Palatine has been mentioned in conversations as a possible location of the city's first casino. Now that this key tract of property in Chicago's central core is off and running, it is naturally attracting interest from parties and projects looking to capitalize on the opportunity of partnering with an exciting development at a high profile site. With the embracing of the street and public by the re-designed WLS7 State Street studios, the refurbished Chicago Theater, and the relocation of the Joffrey Ballet in Smithfield's soon to be completed MoMo mixed-use construction, State Street may be auditioning to become (forgive the comparison) Times Square-lite. 

The type of tenants and how those tenants within the Block 37 development architecturally herald their presence to the surrounding streetscape will most likely significantly influence the character of that section of the Loop for years to come.  Let's hope that the final architectural statements made by Block 37's streetscape serve to lift what was once known as "that great street" to not just a glitzy exclamation but to a renewed vibrant urban space which contributes to the elevation of the spirit.  

A Dilapidated Building Awaits Rebirth As a Place of History 

By Darrell Jones

Oct 8, 2007

By all accounts, Chicago seems to take its museums seriously. With the Chicago Children's Museum currently the focus of a passionate debate as to its future location and a modern wing for the Art Institute currently under construction, these civic facilities don't figure to be playing second fiddle any time soon. With so much of our storied past well represented in various receptacles of history around the region, one omission is conspicuous by its absence. At the corner of Halsted and Exchange in the Southwest side communities of Canaryville and Back of the Yards sits an old, neglected building-the former Stock Yards National Bank-which was once a part of Chicago's reputation as "Hog Butcher to the World."

The city has given a nice nod to the famed Union Stock Yards by its creation of Stockyards Industrial Park incorporating with it the preservation of the limestone gate (designated a National Landmark in 1981) which served as the entrance to the Union Stock Yards originally designed by John Wellboorn Root of Burnham and Root around 1875.

Although nearly all of the architectural structures have been destroyed to make way for the modern facilities which now populate the area, the building at 4150 S. Halsted which mimics Philadelphia's Independence Hall has sat vacant for more than 20 years still remains. Already proposed as a move which would undoubtedly be an economic and cultural asset to the city and the local community, the Community Design Workshop Department of the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign and neighborhood organizations have envisioned this as an opportunity to contribute to a greater renaissance of an area striving to refine and re-assert itself as significant in the fabric of this city.  This facility and surrounding industrial park would become not only a top destination for historically-minded tourists but would be a boon to Chicago's educational community as well. Re-adapting this building into what would be a museum of Chicago's stockyard history complete with images, artifacts, and even the sounds and smells of that period would be a long overdue and invaluable addition to Chicago's museum community.

Is Grant Park the Best Location for New Children's Museum?

By Darrell Jones

Sept 23, 2007

Who could have ever foreseen that when it came time for the highly successful Chicago Children's Museum to re-located to accommodate its success that that move would engender so much angst and controversy. As the mayor went public with not only his support for the move from Navy Pier to Richard J. Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park, but his charges of racism toward those residents opposing the use of this location, the ghosts of Daniel Burnham and Montgomery Ward have been drudged up to witness for one side or the other. Its obvious that the intent of those civic pioneers to keep Chicago's front yard clear and free of buildings and obstructions has not been honored since the first building to erected, the Art Institute of Chicago, was allowed to "fudge" on that stated intention in 1891 along with other subsequent "structures." Yet, that doesn't justify throwing the flood gates wide open to every "worthy" new project coming down the pike to fill what remains as open space in Grant Park.

In a recent conversion with one of the city's many international visitor's, Sebastian, from Santiago, Chile remarked that compared to New York's Central Park, our lakefront parks lacks the "feel of being away from the urban environment as you still hear and see the roar of traffic around you along with the proliferation of buildings placed throughout." Additionally, he commented that there was no easy access to the lakefront from the park due to having to ford Lake Shore Drive. Although there is some ease of access with the museum campus re-design, much remains to be improved upon. Sebastian does make perceptive observations. We need to be careful to preserve our parks as green space first, everything else second. In lieu of all the focus upon our South Loop area, both because of the recent construction boom and its consideration as a possible 2016 Olympic venue should the Chicago receive the bid as host city, locating such a popular cultural institution there as an "anchor" of sorts in the midst of new developments would seem to make more sense. Hopefully, museum officials, the park district and the mayor will put aside the politics and be open-minded to an alternative location for the Children's Museum which would "spread the wealth" of significant developments and not just seek to cram everything into an already greatly populated central core. 

Are We Again the Epicenter of 21st Century Design?

By Darrell Jones

August 20, 2007

In its September 2007 addition of Chicago Magazine, Jay Pridmore listed and commented on what the magazine dubbed as 10 buildings which best "illustrate" Chicago's re-established leadership in innovative contemporary architectural design. These buildings according to the magazine are a testament to the fact of Chicago being "once again, the global epicenter of architecture". While we enthusiastically assent to our city's awakening out of what could be described as a 20-year innovation slumber-ending with the cutting-edged design evident over the last two decades-we hardly think we have arrived yet. The design dialogue has certainly been elevated as referenced by such works as John Ronan's Gary Comer Youth Center, Jeanne Gang's under construction Aqua Tower and Santiago Calatrava's Spire also presently under construction.  But with the free flow of funds and unbridled freedom to express their ideas given by attention-happy local governments to architects, Asia, the Middle East and even Europe have emerged as probably the most fertile soil for avant-guard design in the world today.  Nevertheless, even as Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin noted in a recent story, many of the newest concepts in skyscraper construction are taking place right here which are revolutionizing and pushing the boundaries of design to greater heights physically and aesthetically.

We feel the publicizing of a list of ten masterpieces of modern design in the city of Chicago is a good thing.  It fosters recognition, conversation and debate in the public arena about issues and structures which may not have brought to the attention of many. As for most of the list, we are on common ground although we are in greater agreement with the alternate list of ten garnered from a survey of AIA members. They included Skybridge, 111 South Wacker, the Peggy Norbert Nature Museum and the Hyatt Center. The only one we were surprised to see there was the soul-less concrete bunker that is the Museum of Contemporary Art.  Overall, as these recent buildings are taken together in evaluation, it bodes well for the future of 21st Century architectural innovation finding an enduring home in Chicago. 

Millennium Park: Fun Follows Function

By Darrell Jones

August 12, 2007

A hot summer day in Millennium Park finds your typical "Bean-gawkers" and Crown Fountain "splashers," but wait, what's taking place over there in Wrigley Square? Looks like a wedding!  Yes, indeed a wedding, but not the type of high-society affair one would tend to expect in commandeering a space such as this-but a small, simple common matrimonial celebration shared with the hundreds who stopped in wonder at the sight of this venue's unusual spectacle, and to see the bride of course. When the over $400 million symbol of the millennium celebration was finally completed about 4 years after the event for which it was named, not a few people consigned the park as a Daley pet project for the well-heeled and tourists. Although the park has been inaccessible to the public on a couple of occasions for private functions to schmooze its corporate donors, the wildly popular space is growing increasingly ulitarian in its function.

This past weekend saw the 2nd annual Great Performers of Illinois invade the every vestige of the park as sounds of from different musicians could be heard within a few hundred feet of wherever you might have been. In addition to the showcasing of local bands, midway performers, dancers, poetry readers, storytellers could also be found throughout the area. Even the little-used Wrigley Square came alive with the sounds from various alternative and rock bands vying for a chance at "making it." Utilizing all areas of Chicago's new front yard to showcase local talent brought this venue to life in a way the park planners may not have ever envisioned. Here's hoping that this kind of free and full-use coverage would not only continue, but in fact grow in diversity and frequency, which would make Millennium Park worth more than its weight in time and money giving us a consistent model in teaching us how fun can follow function.

Edgy Design May Be Cut Short

By Darrell Jones

July 30, 2007

When Lucien LaGrange laid out the plans for the construction of his unconventional X/O Condominiums, one of his least concerns had to be any future challenges to the height, especially in the city which boast several of the world's tallest buildings. Yet, that is exactly what he and Kargil Development are facing in the Prairie District of Chicago's South Loop. As reported by the Chicago Journal, Prairie Avenue District residents and their new alderman-Bob Fioretti are raising objections to the radical contemporary design and the height of the two towers. Their concern is that the building  conflicts with the dominate architectural style of the area and would awkwardly tower above its neighbors. According to the Journal, Tina Feldstein board president of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance-a community organization formed to fight the X/O development-stated, "We're not against the design or developer. It's not in keeping with the character and scale of the neighborhood. It just doesn't make sense." Currently, an ordinance has been introduced to re-zone the area for a height ceiling of 225 feet. The 490-unit condominiums to be developed at 1712 S. Prairie, will have two towers-one at 310 feet and the other to be 450 feet tall. The X/O complex would be situated across from the historic Glessner House, a landmark. Kargil principal Keith Giles stated in the Journal that "being a historic district doesn't mean you have to duplicate historic buildings; we are building a unique, architecturally significant building."  Along with Jeanne Gang's Aqua Tower, Calatrava's Spire, and the emerging new Spertus facade on the south Michigan Ave. street wall, X/O looks to be another bold step toward forward-thinking architecture in a city whose recent skyscraper designs have either been wandering in the past or just plain lackluster too often with too few exceptions. Lets hope a solution is found that is workable and profitable for the community and the city to move this project along.

Green Spaces Are Needed Spaces

By Darrell Jones

July 16, 2007

On the weekend of June 22-24, the so-named "Pritzker Park" at the northwest corner of State and Van Buren Streets was all abuzz with some unusual activity. No. not a police raid, which might not be all that unusual considering its daily patrons. Hosted by Close Up 2-a local jazz club in the midst of the Financial District-sounds of their first Smooth Jazz Festival filled the corridors of the South Loop. Passer-bys paused to take in the take in rhythmic tunes with a look of discovery and amazement that said. "Whoa, what's a concert doing here!" While its true that typically concerts on this order are held in Grant Park or Millennium Park, public utilization of dormant but prime open space such as this and the proliferation of such can only significantly enhance our enjoyment of downtown Chicago. Of course in an urban concrete jungle, spaces like these are rare and when they're found they are routinely embraced. Yes, our lakefront parks are amazing; and yes, our system of expansive park district areas are community gems, but whenever there is an opportunity to carve out "green spaces" in isolated corners of overbuilt areas like the Loop, we should capitalize on it. Thankfully, to this end, the City of Chicago has established its Chicago Central Area Plan, which sets as a goal open spaces within a five minute walk of everyone living and working within the Central Area. One such current application of this plan is the park planned for the intersection at Franklin and Randolph Streets as a result from the agreement to construct the 48-story office building being developed by John Buck at Randolph and Wacker Drive. But like the long notoriously delayed "Block 37" now finally under construction, Pritzker Park has languished over the past few years as a home for the indigent while being handed back and forth between civic institutions. Once under the ownership of the Chicago Public Library immediately south of the park, it was taken over by the Chicago Park District under one project director who was involved with its imminent development, but upon leaving, the park project was passed to the next director. According to Laura Jones, an Associate Director of the Chicago Loop Alliance, "with the permit process and everything that has to happen before a final decision is made on a project of this nature, we're probably looking at being a year away from re-development."  "Certainly with all the students populating the Loop now, we could see Pritzker park as a great place to hang out."  A well-thought-out green space within a stone's throw from many of those new student residences would a convincing step toward making the Loop the 24-hour "livable" district many are envisioning it to be. 

Grand/State Subway's Time Has Come

July 16, 2007

So the Grand/State station's turn has finally arrived in "grand style" so-to-speak. The city of Chicago has announced its intentions to begin a $67.2 million renovation of one of the Loop's busiest commuter facilities to begin in September and conclude two years later. After numerous delays (since 1982), the subway portal serving the River North and Streeterville sections of the city, is ready to step up next in line for long overdue attention after the recent completion of the Blue Line's Jackson station $33.8 million project. Although this is arguably not the worst of the transit terminals in need of rehabilitation, it certainly ranks high on the list. The walls, floors and ceilings all reveal the signs of years of wear and neglect fating back from its opening in 1943. The project awarded to Walsh Construction will keep the station open as it expands the mezzanine by 2000 square feet and adds granite floors, glazed tile walls and vaulted ceilings which will feature a representation of the Chicago skyline. Also included in what looks to be a space-age contemporary-styled re-design from released concept renderings are improved lighting, wider stairwells, street-level escalators, additional turnstiles, security cameras, video information screens and a more user-friendly vending areas.

36-Year Old Vacant Riverfront Site Targeted for Development

June 25, 2007

Crain's Chicago Business is reporting a proposed $1.6 billion residential development on the western edge of the south loop along the Chicago River. Developers Rokas International Inc. and Frankel & Giles have secured a parcel of land once the site of Grand Central Station but which has since been vacant since its 1971 demolition.  The property is bounded by Harrison St. to the north, Polk St. to the south, Wells St. to the east and the river on its west side.  Designed by the firm of Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill Architecture, the project is to include over 3000 residential units consisting of a combination of condos, apartments and senior housing. A 500-room hotel is also apart of the picture, but the distant south loop location makes that aspect more of a question in terms of its attractiveness and viability. The retail portion of what is referred to as Franklin Point is planned for about 125,000-square feet of this space. The entirety of the project would encompass 3.5-million-square-feet and feature a building at least 80 stories high.  Previous proposals have been floated for this stretch of land often called another "Block 37" but never made it off the drawing board. This project's developers are hoping to gain the approval and re-zoning authorizations from the city and the nearby community to go forward.

Forward Progress on Chicago's Security Barriers?

By Darrell Jones

June 18, 2007

At In case you haven't notice, several locations around the loop have seen the unveiling of new concrete planters in front of buildings no-doubt deemed to be security concerns.  Of course since the Morrow Federal building truck bombing in Oklahoma and 9/11, building security has become a legitimate point of focus.  Many of the make-shift barriers thrown up adjacent to potential target buildings around the country have been great on function but leave much to be desired on form. Washington D.C. with all its major governmental structures which are also some of the nation's most popular tourist sites is a case in point. Chicago unfortunately has not been an exception in the "uglying up" of some of our public spaces because to the need to restrict access for our safety.  But it is heartening to observe that evidence of some aesthetic thought is beginning to shape around the loop in the form of these new barrier/planters popping up here and there. This is so obviously in step with Mayor Daley's continuing crusade in "greening" the city and its hard to argue against powerful visual impact trees, shrubs and flowers have on any environment, especially one as stark and hard-edged as an major urban landscape. Another positive observation is that it appears that they all aren't "cookie cutter" products, but designs are being fitted to some degree with the building or streetscape itself. The city would do well to follow the lead of such bold and innovative efforts as that which was produced by PWP Landscape Architecture for the UBS Tower at One North Wacker Drive. Of course, the city's efforts don't quite approach the level of the previous example, but at least it seems to be moving in the right direction.

Sweet Home-of the Gospel & the Blues-Chicago?

By Darrell Jones

June 6, 2007

At this juncture, wedged between Chicago's recently concluded 23rd annual Gospel Fest held in Millennium Park this year and the upcoming Chicago Blues Fest to take place in Grant Park, I can't help but reflect on the opportunity being squandered by the city of Chicago by not memorializing these local traditions with each having a facility designated as its own "Hall of Fame."  Regardless of plans which call for such a facility to be built to honor gospel music in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida by Dr. Bobby Jones, Chicago is acknowledged to be the birthplace of gospel music as it was once home to such greats as Mahalia Jackson, Thomas A. Dorsey, and the Rev. James Cleveland to name a few. Many in our community would agree its high time to unthaw this slow-moving glacier of resolve and bring the nation to Chicago for yet another historically significant experience.

What better place for this to happen than the recently burned-out Louis Sullivan masterpiece- Pilgrim Baptist Church at 33red and Indiana? Although the state of Illinois through governor Blagojevich has promised to kick in a million, and money has come in from other donors, it will require millions more and a total community effort to not only restore this structure but re-adapt it to be partially available to the public as "the New Home of Gospel Music." Another possibility is to negotiate space in the soon-to-be-developed old Main Post Office over the Kennedy Expressway. Considering the current difficulties of even bringing the Museum of Broadcast Communications new digs to completion after financial challenges which has the project starting and stopping, this may appear to be a daunting task. Chicago is known as the birthplace of many renown areas such as the skyscraper, but lets hope we are proactive enough to secure the desire, the will, the funding and of course the appropriate venues to truly make this "Sweet Home, Chicago," when it comes to honoring our rich blues heritage and our unparalled tradition in gospel music.

Finding Its Place: State Street

By Darrell Jones

May 27, 2007

Like a once popular rock band trying to re-invent itself to gain contemporary relevancy in its genre, State Street is finding itself in a similar predicament. Know as "State Street, that Great Street," in times past-with State and Madison claiming the title as the busiest intersection in the world-it has in recent years had to acknowledge the comeuppance of its younger sister "The Magnificent Mile" as the place to be. This past Saturday saw the conclusion of another colorful Memorial Day Parade down this fabled thoroughfare. Although many of the city's most celebrated parades have marched down this historic location, including the St. Patrick's Day and the Christmas season parades, State Street has no exclusive claims to these as part of its major identity as several other ethnic routes are conducted on Columbus Drive and in other various ethnic enclaves around the city.

So what is State poised to become in the next 20 years? With the disintegration of its dinosaur department stores and the hodgepodge mix of low-end and mid-level merchandising, a "must-do" shopping destination doesn't appear to be in its immediate future. Besides, the Mag Mile has snagged that prize, with Lincoln Park catering to the trendy boutique crowd and Wabash Street corralling the bargain hunters. Certainly, State Street's renown architectural masterpieces and the city's efforts to accent and compliment those structures with its period signage, street-level lighting, transit coverings and so forth have carved out what could be its greatest place of standing among other competing streetscapes. But even here, State must do more to command the public's attention in declaring some exclusivity in this area of Chicago's world class reputation.

Upon the completion of "block 37's" state-of-the-art transportation hub, mixed-use facility and the new WBBM TV news studios, maybe this will contribute to a re-direction of how the area is viewed and utilized. It is arguable that the greatest transformative factor for State Street at this time is the recent infusion of student academic and residential spaces. Perhaps as the developers, commercial and civic powers that be recognize the unique and valuable asset it has in this specific population, maybe an innovative plan can be developed to not make it "college street" but a venue which uniquely accommodates and celebrates the the energy, style and edginess of its new urban neighbors.  The recent all-night fest of Looptopia was a step in the right direction. Its time to see more of that along with convenience venues, later retail hours, entertainment facilities, et al to once again make State Street a great place to be.    

Working Hard at Fun at GameWorks 

Second in a Series on Chicago's Gaming Venues

 By Ryan Ornberg

May 14, 2007

Located at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, GameWorks is the perfect place to drop off the kids and let them enjoy a day of video-gaming. The games available are directed towards any age group but more so to younger kids and teenagers. While the kids are playing though, you can hang out in the sports bar on the main floor and watch the game with a drink and a great meal. The second floor also has a bar with many pool tables, but if you want to go shopping or eat at a fancy restaurant, there are plenty near by. Focusing on the main feature, GameWorks offers 2 full floors of video gaming entertainment. From the classics of Pacman to the latest shooter games, anything you are looking for is here.  The first floor is devoted to racing, with plenty of stations for different games experiences.  An added bonus is that there is always at least two of the same game so you can go head to head against your friends in a heated race. For one racing game, you are in a seat that rotates on its sides to give the affects of being in a real car. However, the favorite feature of these games is the Indy 500. Six F1 cars are lined up and ready for the 4 minute race that is broadcasted on a big screen for the people in line. An announcer lets you know what place you are in and how many laps are left; these races get very intense so get in line early.

For the younger kids, there is a section of ticket winning games so they can eventually cash it all in for a prize. Other games include virtual and simulator games. The second floor is home to the action games. Every version of the popular Time Crisis is available along with many other shooting games. A DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) competition is usually happening in this area along with Guitar Hero. A bowling simulator is displayed on a big screen as if you were there in person. The classics from the birth of video games are also upstairs and are a fun taste of the past, but once you beat Pacman, move on to House of Dead 4 and kill some zombies in the latest release of this game. GameWorks is also the ideal place to hold a child’s birthday party; they have a private room available for rent along with game packages.  

So if you’re looking for a fun filled evening away from the city, try out GameWorks and enjoy some competitive racing or shooting games with your friends, or relax at the bar and let your kids go wild. 

Location: 601 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, IL 

Phone: 847-330-9675

www.gameworks.com

A look Inside Chicago’s ESPN Zone 

By Ryan Ornberg

May 06, 2007

As most Chicagoans anticipate a non-too-hasty escape from cabin fever with the onset of spring, ESPN Zone seeks to make it difficult to leave the great indoors entirely behind. If you enjoy simulated sports, this gaming Mecca on East Ohio Street is beckoning all faithful followers to make their pilgrimages there. Typically sports are the exact opposite of video games, but at ESPN Zone, that’s what they’re all about. The 35,000-square foot facility is dedicated to entertaining you with all types of sports, be it through over 100 video games or the countless TV’s. Upon entering, you are greeted by an employee who will point you towards the action you’re looking for. The main floor features an ESPN sports shop and Studio Grill-a sports-themed restaurant serving American grill food. Making your way up the staircase you pass a great display of televisions which opens into the frenetic activity of the Sports Arena. All of the latest video games are located here in every genre. The difference between these games and those of an arcade are that each is a simulation of a sport and is increasingly offers the latest craze of hands-on play. Newly added is the Madden NFL Football game which is displayed on a 15’ screen in the middle of the arena. The hands-on games take you away from the buttons and joy sticks, they include: golf, baseball, basketball, bowling, skeet shooting, football, fishing, skiing, boxing, hockey, and racing. These games use motion-capture technology which senses you swinging a club or making a punch and presents the action onto screen. It is the perfect way to test out your skills in any area of interest.

The second floor is also where the serious sports fans gather. The Screening Room broadcasts almost every sporting event on a dozen 36” televisions surrounding the 16’ big screen which shows the most popular game of each day. There are plenty of tables and lounge chairs to relax and enjoy your favorite sports. This area is also contains one of three available bars. Chicago’s ESPN Zone is perfect for any outing day or night. It is the ideal place for kids to play the games while their parents dine to the site of their favorite teams in action. Private events can also be hosted on the second floor and is often the venue for many large public events put on by ESPN. Overall, the atmosphere is upbeat and the people are kind, combine this with the awesome video games and an amazing amount of TVs, and you have one great night.    

Location: 43 E. Ohio St.

Phone: 312-644-3776

http://www.espnzone.com/chicago      

Seven Wonders of Illinois Announced

Once again after the tally of a popular vote, Wrigley Field stands alone in representing Chicago as our greatest places of note. In march balloting conducted by the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, the beloved baseball shrine was chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois. A structure which seems to be gaining more and more notoriety-and deservedly so-the Baha'i Temple in the northern suburb of Wilmette was also selected to the list. Rounding out the rest of the Seven are as follows: Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello, Rock Island, Rend Lake in Benton and Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway in Alton.

"The Seven Wonders of Illinois program was not only an exciting contest for our communities to rally around their favorite destinations, but it's going to continue spreading the word about all our unique offerings across the state. These innovative tourism programs are bringing visitors from near and far, expanding our economy and helping create more good jobs," Gov. Blagojevich said. More information can be accessed at www.enjoyillinois.com

Old Main Post Office Targeted for Re-development

By Darrell Jones

 April 30, 2007

Now that all the excitement of the filming of Batman: The Dark Knight and the non-related fire in the old main post office has died down, we can get on to some real business. The Chicago Plan Commission has recently approved the redevelopment of the 2.5-million-square-foot structure at 401 W Van Buren by Chicago developer Walton Street Capital LLC. The property which has remained vacant for over a decade is to be converted into a multi-use facility consisting of a 340-room hotel, 300 residential units and nearly 500,000-squsre feet of office space. To make this happen, approximately 800,000 square feet would have to be demolished. But don't look for any construction to be visibly identifiable any time soon. Interior work such as asbestos removal must precede any significant construction. Also, the cost of financing the project has yet to be determined by the developer who is currently seeking tax-increment financing (TIF) money for this project. Walton Street is reported to be in talks with banks for construction financing and presently has a letter of commitment from one of those banks.

The massive 1921 Art Deco building (expanded in 1933) has been considered for a host of uses during its dormancy including a water park, an auto mall, a casino and even a mausoleum. With the current glut of downtown office and residential space, some question the viability of the use of this structure as planned. In many ways the facility seems an ideal space for a Smithsonian-type museum-making the West Loop another tourist-centered destination in the city. That may well yet be an option someday as time determines the success of this current proposal.

"Chicago Spire" Advances Past Another Hurdle

By Darrell Jones

 April 20, 2007

Okay. that was the easy part. Now comes the real test. The Chicago Plan Commission in a unanimous vote approved the zoning for the so-called "Chicago Spire" designed by Santiago Calatrava and promoted by Dublin-based developer Garrett Kelleher. The 150 story and 1,200-unit condominium structure would not only be the tallest building in Chicago, but in the United States as well. While the city's zoning approval was expected to be a foregone conclusion, most analysts seem to agree that the main issue in the realization of the construction of this project will be the financial viability of what could approach a $2 billion price tag.

Finally! Metra Announces Extreme Makeover for Eyesore Stop

By Darrell Jones

 April 27, 2007

Can it be? Is this embarrassment of a major public transit location about to receive a long overdue facelift? The Daily Southtown is reporting that an extensive renovation has been approved for the Metra Line's Roosevelt Station by the Chicago Department of Transportation.  The work is set to begin upon the issuance of the necessary building permit. Statements from the CDOT indicate that the work could commence within the next few weeks. The projected completion date is summer 2008. The station currently consists of rickety wooden stairs, rusted structural members and an antiquated passenger shelter facility. The irony has been that this stop stands in negative contrast to the recent development of the South Loop and the redesign of the Museum Campus with its elegance and ease of access to Soldier Field.  According to the Southtown, plans call for tearing down the old facility, rebuilding the platform and stairs, adding two new station houses with elevators, canopies and warming areas. The project awarded to Blinderman Construction Co. is estimated to cost $10 million.
 

Architecture Week in Chicago

PRNewswire/ -- As the birthplace of modern
architecture, Chicago is a city where buildings matter. Perhaps more than
residents of any other American city, Chicagoans know their architecture.
Home to masterpieces by such visionaries as Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis
Sullivan, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Chicago is a place where
architecture is talked about, admired and appreciated.
    And what better time to celebrate Chicago's stunning architecture than
during the first-ever "Architecture Week," which kicks off today? The
Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects offers up the
following five ideas for Chicagoans looking for a way to honor their city's
incredible tradition of architectural excellence:
    -- By attending internationally recognized architect Edward Mazria's
       lecture on how buildings are more to blame for global warming than are
       cars ("Resuscitating a Dying World," a public lecture on Wednesday,
       April 11 at the Art Institute)
    -- By visiting http://www.illinoisgreatplaces.com , a newly launched
       website that showcases "150 Illinois Great Places" as selected by
       Illinois architects, historians, and preservationists
    -- By registering for a free "Working With an Architect" seminar to learn
       more about how homeowners can work with residential architects to
       achieve the house of their dreams
    -- By picking up a one-of-a-kind treasure at the Chicago Modernism Show
       and Gala, which runs April 13-15
    -- By stopping for a moment to enjoy the breathtaking architecture that
       helps define our city.
    Architecture Week in Chicago begins Monday, April 9 and is part of a
nationwide celebration of 150 years of the American Institute of
Architects. For 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects
have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable,
healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. For more
information about Architecture Week events in Chicago this week, visit
http://www.aiachicago.org

Latest (and Final?) Twist in Spire Design

by Darrell Jones

 March 28, 2007

Haven't we been here before?. So now we have version 4 of the perpetually spiraling designs of Santiago Calatrava's and developer Garrett Kellerher's Chicago Spire.  Although this promises to be the final major re-design, I was hoping for a few more to make a complete set to trade or sell at a future date. I don't know about you, but the latest look recently unveiled to the public this week doesn't quite have that "Yo" factor as Randy Jackson of American Idol would put it. The iconic 2000-ft twisting tower has lost a few pounds from its previous big-boned frame for sure. It also has recovered some of its "verve" now that the rotation has been brought back to 360 degrees from the uninspired, scaled down 270 degrees offered up as a previous sacrifice.  Yet, this current shape which tapers toward the top in a conical fashion fails to elicit the anticipation of pride which the first design scheme engendered. In some ways, the building's finishing apex as is (and of course there's sure to be deign tweaks and alterations done the road, if this venture comes off) kind of mimics a few of the more recent Asian skyscrapers erected. That in itself is not really a problem. As with every design concept floated thus far, the public and critics assign the name of the first descriptive thought that comes to mind-drill bit, candle, tree trunk-well, you get the idea. So, the question now is "what image does our latest version conjure up? Many of our nations monuments and skyscrapers of like fashion are often accused of phallic subtleties-some arguably stretched to fit that implication-but in this case, it doesn't appear to be a stretch. Anyway, Calatrava rightly implies that this skyscraper will re-define Chicago for decades to come. With a building sure to become a signature edifice of this city, I for one wouldn't mind just one more re-design. Chicago deserves no less and I still hoping to put together that trading card set.

State AIA Lists Its 150 Illinois Great Places

by Darrell Jones

March 23, 2007

Now this is more like it. Having recently had foisted upon us the national AIA's interpretation of what was supposedly the nation's favorite architecture (with a Chicago structure not breaking the top twenty), its refreshing to see the deserved prominence given to many of our beloved buildings and spaces. This is an excellent way to launch the celebration of the Illinois AIA 150 Year anniversary. Quoting from their website, "these places are recognized for how they enrich our quality of life. We celebrate the great variety of places that make up the fabric of the Illinois community." Not only are your typical landmarks structures present in this listing but such diversity of treatments as our state's college quadrangles, the lakefront, housing styles i.e. the Chicago bungalow, and significant intersections such as State and Madison. You can view and read a brief description of each selection and why it was chosen at www.illinoisgreatplaces.com  One of the obvious benefits of an exercise of this nature is that it fosters discussions about our built environment and directs our attention to magnificent places and spaces we may otherwise have not been previously cognitive of. Absent from the list are some of the more recently completed projects by a number of Chicagoland's up and coming design innovators like John Ronan's Gary Comer Youth Center on the Southside, Skybridge, and Douglas Garofalo's Hyde Park Youth Center. Submissions were taken from the public around the state with the finalists being chosen by AIA members in consultation with various local officials.

Farwell Building's Faux-Fate

I'm sure not a few people are wondering or perhaps don't even know or care what all the fuss is over the now certain to be re-constitution of the landmarked Farwell building on Michigan Avenue. The  Commission on Chicago Landmarks recently approved Prism Development Co.'s plan to gut the crumbling interior of this structure while preserving its limestone facade. This was done over the objections of Landmark organizations, architectural bloggers, et al. The move appears to be an unprecedented one. Although one can understand the practicality of the economics of the situation-the enormous cost it take to save this dilapidated building in its entirety, a slippery slope has been obviously been opened.  As with the Supreme Court's decision on eminent domain, the citing of a municipality's or developer's greater economic good in reference to circumventing the intended protections instituted by a landmark designation may become a grievous loophole to persevering our city's historically significant structures. When this type of situation arises again in the near future undoubtedly, let's hope that we'll have engaged in more purposeful and thoughtful dialogue to find better solutions in order to protect some of our most valued resources without sacrificing economically progressive proposals.

 by Darrell Jones

 Carson's Ready For Reincarnation

I have to admit walking down State Street and peering into the window of a trashed Carson Pirie Scott was a bit of a jolt. This was like going to see your sophisticated aunt and finding a once prim and proper lady all disheveled and somewhat threadbare. Fortunately, that disorientation didn't last as I considered that this was just a temporary re-staging, a re-arranging of props so-to-speak, leaving the venue itself intact. This kind of reassurance is one of the major benefits which come with knowing that the famed Louis Sullivan structure in transition is designated a National Historic Landmark. Sure, when this beloved space takes on a brand new function and interior look, its going to be a bit startling initially, especially when the talk is that new building owners Joseph Freed and Associates are thinking of anchoring a grocery store there. But rare is the space that's been around as long as this structure has which doesn't change names, function, and even form several times over the course of its public life. Certainly with the thousands of new residents in the loop (students & condo owners), a grocery store would be a welcome sight. Let's hope that whatever it is or however its done, it's done in a manner worthy of this sophisticated lady.

 by Darrell Jones

 Wrigley Field- Chicago's Best Architecture?

Its early February, the Bears are history, and Chicago is doing its best imitation as a freeze pop. You see Wrigley Field in the news and you think ahh..baseball..pitchers and catchers must be reporting.. Well, if that was your first reaction, you undoubtedly discovered by now that's not quite the crux of this story. In a nicely crafted marketing move this past week, the American Institute of Architects and Harris Interactive released the results of its poll on the nation's 150 best works of architecture. Survey respondents were asked to select their favorites from a portfolio of 248 structures nominated by AIA members.  The results seemed to be skewed decidedly East Coast and Classical-revival. The Empire State Building led the list with the White House second (along with many other Washington-area structures), and the National Cathedral third. Overall, New York garnered 32 of the 150 spots of this poll making one wonder if the respondents were primarily East Coasters.

But Chicago, which many consider an architecture Mecca managed to achieve its first mention at the 31st slot. That 31st place is held down by none other than the masterpiece of renown architect Zachary Taylor Davis-Wrigley Field!. Now admittedly, the nation's second oldest ballpark- a national landmark, is a classic among sports venues even with the various additions and renovations through the years. But Wrigley Field before the John Hancock (which didn't make it at all)? or Wright's Robie House? And not one of Mies van der Rohe's buildings wad to be found. Hardly. Following Wrigley, the Tribune Tower, the Sears Tower, and the Field Museum come in at 38, 42, and 53 respectively.

So what conclusions can be drawn from these selections? Well, first, that these choices were made with limited architectural understanding at best. Second, that most were probably made fro a tourist's mentality as picks such as the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the Sears Tower would indicate. Nevertheless, the poll makes for interesting analysis and discussion. At least one of our most favored made it-333 Wacker Drive-at #62.

 By Darrell Jones

Bears Get A Different Look in Miami

Its now Miami or bust for our Monsters of the Midway-Chicago Bears. In some ways South Beach has undergone a bit of a renaissance over the past decade or so, especially since Hurricane Andrew's devastating impact leveled much of the area back in 1992. New construction has and continues to spring up around Miami and its nearby suburbs. Nevertheless, Miami is still expressly Miami. If any Bears are engaging the South Beach environs for the first time they'll find it quite distinct in its appearance from say, on I don't know...Chicago maybe?

Probably the first thing that strikes you upon approach to the Magic City (besides the weather and the palm trees) is the proliferation of color generously found in much of the architecture throughout. Containing the largest concentrations of 1920's and 1930's resort architecture in the world, these periods with their defining Art Deco, Moderne, Post War Modern, and Mediterranean styles make for a truly identifiable regional locale. When you are arrive, there's no mistaking where you are generally speaking which is in fact, a good thing.

What is easily in agreement as one of the worst mantra's heard in media-speak in reference to players coming to South Beach is that "somehow they must overcome the distractions and play well." For sure, this area can have all the feel of an adult amusement park-especially to first-timers-but I'm sure the professionalism of the players and paternal oversight of each teams coaches will be on top of that issue. Hopefully, observant and appreciative Bears will take note of the vibrant and rich culture and architecture of Miami-worthy of a vacation mentality- as a fresh change from the norm and then focus on the business at hand-handing the Colts their heads in the Super Bowl.

By Darrell Jones

2016 Olympic Facilities Unveiled

On Tuesday, the city of Chicago and its Olympic Planning Committee unveiled their designs for what would be a temporary Olympic stadium in Washington Park and Olympic village near McCormick Place should it receive the bid to represent the U.S. and ultimately gain the bid internationally.    

Although, the concepts for the Olympic village aren't widely publicized yet, the stadium in plan view and perspective have been released. The stadium's principal design team included architect Ben Wood of Shanghai-who by the way had a hand in the design of the renovated Soldier Field and Goettsch Partners of Chicago.

Instead of seating to hold 95,000, the facility has been scaled back to seat a smaller 80,000. Additionally, the amphitheater that will remain once the majority of the stadium is removed had been taken from 10,000 seats to 5,000 as to minimize its obtrusiveness to the open vistas of the historic landmark park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Regardless of these changes, some area residents and civic groups remain opposed to what they see as "marring" this landscape architect's masterwork in any way.

The stadium will sport an asymmetrical design with a visual play on the letter "C" (possibly for Chicago?) as the defining form when viewed from above. Despite being temporary, there will be skyboxes and priority seating areas. Some of those areas will be covered by the roof extending over them in an otherwise open-air structure. The roof and exterior walls would be constructed of a fabric or vinyl skin obviously intended to save on costs which were announced at an economical $316 million. The outer walls would have massive-sized images of Olympians past & present either projected or printed onto them. An opening in the front would serve as the athlete entrance. 

To alleviate the vast amount of space needed for a typical concourse in large public facilities such as this, the design team made a decision to place all the restrooms and restaurant areas outside-modeling it after the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. This alone could be an area of concern for members of the USOC and IOC in consideration of pedestrian convenience.

Both the stadium and the Olympic village-coming in a $1.1 Billion, are subject to approval by the Chicago Park District which is seen as a formality in this process.

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Looking Toward A Final Design

Chicago Can Be Proud Of

So now we've been shown the third attempt at getting right what's certain to become Chicago's signature structure and the country's tallest building this past week. I don't know about you but I'm still a bit unsettled about this latest revision of architect Santiago Calatrava's so-called "Chicago Spire," a definite improvement over the bloated, twizzler-like" second re-design. That notwithstanding, in my mind, it doesn't quite rise to level of the first design- when the priority was not to "super-size" it in order to jam as many condo units into it as possible.

Even though there is a definite possibility that this proposal from developer Garrett Kelleher of Dublin, Ireland may not be able to secure the necessary financing to be built, its not a stretch to envision its presence among the icons of this city's fabled skyline. The concern here is that I've yet to get a sense of that "wow-factor" that this will be a skyscraper Chicagoans will be proud of- a commanding presence all-the-while exuding an unmatched gracefulness. I recall holding similar misgivings toward the up and coming Sears Tower, recognizing that it would probably not set a pace for avant-guard design to lead Chicago through the non-descript 70's and 80's. Surveying the landscape of current Asian and Middle Eastern skyscrapers by industry giants such as SOM, Murphy-Jahn, and Teng Associates, it's evident that they have carte-blanche to push the edge of contemporary expression. Thankfully though, in recent years, Chicago-the birth place of modern architecture-has seen greater movement toward fresh, ground-breaking statements from Skybridge to the Hyatt Center to the UBS building. Contextually, Calatrava's "birthday candle" arguably qualifies for out-of-the-box architecture with its 360 degree twisting torso. Now, here's hoping the promised additional revisions and touches throughout the final design process will elevate the level of positive architectural conversation throughout the city and throughout the world to heights worthy of our reputation.

By Darrell Jones

A Solution in Michigan Avenue's Best Interest?

One of the topics of concern appearing in the editorial section of the Chicago Tribune this past week was entitled "Facadism on Michigan Ave". At first glance, one would assume they were about to embark on a scathing rebuke pertaining to the dangers of walking too near the precipice of "facadism" as it relates to one of the great streets of the world-Michigan Ave. Yet upon further perusal of this opinion piece revealed an entirely different mindset.

The editorial begins in praise of the grandeur of Michigan Ave. This leads into the crux of the conversation at hand and that is the Prism Development Company's planned dismantling and re-construction of the 80-year old landmark Farwell building designed by Phillip Maher at the corner of Erie St and Michigan Ave. 

Under the proposed project submitted to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks a couple of weeks ago, the Farwell would be taken down leaving only it's facade which would become a part of a new 40-story Ritz-Carlton. This would purportedly give us the "best of both worlds"-a viable representation of a crumbling historic landmark structure affixed to a new luxury complex of offices and retail space. The Chicago Tribune-seemingly a perennial proponent of this city's architectural prodigy-then makes sure we understand that the proposal worked out by the city and Prism was not haphazardly arrived at, but was forged after a year of much thought and is currently the best practical solution. Their support of this plan seems to be founded on the extraordinary deterioration of the building and the lack of a" better plan."

While the affirmation of this proposal is obviously rooted in the pragmatism of economics, it appears to completely ignore the slippery slope such a precedent would inevitably put future landmark structures on in the face of practical economic measures.  This situation obviously presents a challenge to all parties involved, nevertheless, something better than what we've been given must be found if we are to avoid the slow erosion and Disney-izing of that which has become a major tourist destination and source of pride for Chicagoans. Looks like this might  be a unique opportunity for the Trib's Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic to set the record straight for his paper.           

By Darrell Jones 

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U.S. Olympic Committee Keeps Chicago in the Race

Chicago's hope for hosting the 2016 Olympic games became a bit more realistic Tuesday as the U.S. Olympic committee decided to put forth a city. The next step step in this process will be to best it's only competition-Los Angeles- as the USOC's choice sometime in April. Chicago also helped its cause by announcing it had raised $25 million in private donations required for the bid. The city's Olympic committee made public several venue revisions for some athletic activities although the majority of them will still be retained close to the loop and lakefront. Beach volleyball moves form North Ave Beach to Northerly Island while some soccer venues could be located as far as Minneapolis, Minnesota. Field hockey will shift to Jackson Park from Washington Park and equestrian events are planned to move from Palos Hills to Lake County. 

The Chicago Tribune reports Mayor Daley's demeanor as being "heartened by the committee's decision," quoting him, "I am very pleased the USOC has decided to support a bid," he said. "They could have said they were not going to go forward. … It gives us excitement because it is LA and us in regards to bidding. "What we see is great opportunities to rebuild communities, schools, infrastructure, mass transit in preparation for the Olympics, as well as it gives you a global identification," Daley said. "From my viewpoint, there are so many pluses here for us."

Whichever U.S. city is chosen will then be pitted against what is expected to be a tough international field of competing venues likely consisting of Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Qatar and Doha.

Helmut Jahn's Homeless Facility Scheduled for 2007 Unveiling

The 96-unit homeless facility dubbed Near North SRO is under construction at the intersection of Clybourn Ave and Division St near the famed Cabrini Green housing project. The forward-thinking design by Helmut Jahn seeks to help establish a much more positive attitude and discourse on the problem of providing more than adequate care for the city's homeless population. "If you want to talk about a city with a comprehensive approach to housing and ending homelessness, Chicago kind of sets the pace right now," according former housing secretary Henry Cisneros in an article by Robert Sharoff. The facility will not just house the homeless, but provide services such as counseling, employment, skills training, and case management. The building will be apart of a larger plan to create a mixed-income community with affordable rental units, single-family homes and commercial space.

The building looks to challenge tradition in the way a municipality approaches such a complex. Typically, a city would seek to expend minimal capital and prime property area to resolve the placement of the indigent. Jahn's $18 million design will sport his customary contemporary flair even calling to mind his recently completed, similarly-shaped stainless steel-clad student dormitory at IIT. "I always looked at the IIT building as kind of a prototype for low-rise urban housing," Jahn said in a recent New York Times interview. The average-sized unit will be 300 sq ft and have a private kitchen, bath, central air and heat. The building is expected to incorporate the latest innovations of "green design" and sustainable elements to meet LEED's certification. Additionally, Near North SRO residents will enjoy great views of downtown Chicago which condo dwellers typically pay thousands of dollars to have.

Oak Park Seeks to Make a Mark

in Contemporary Architecture as Well

Holiday lights shine bright on Volvo of Oak Park's newest architectural landmark, visible from the Eisenhower Expressway. Spotlights lit up Chicago's first-ever tower of cars, a vertical showcase displaying seven Volvos in glass cases stacked on top of one another. The view from the glass tower will change and stay fresh as new Volvo models are displayed and lighting reflects the changes in the season.

Last week, Chicago VIPs gathered at Volvo of Oak Park for a dazzling celebration to introduce the area's newest architectural landmark, visible from the Eisenhower Expressway. Spotlights lit up Chicago's first-ever tower of cars, a vertical showcase displaying seven Volvos in glass cases stacked on top of one another. One year ago, when faced with a growing business and shrinking amount of car display space, Volvo of Oak Park needed an innovative parking solution. Out of this challenge came Volvo's first-ever glass tower of cars. Inspiration for the innovative architectural landmark came from collaboration between Van Stokes, Sr. of Shanghai, China, who created a similar structure in Berlin, Germany and Errol Jay Kirsch's architecture firm in Oak Park.

"Not only does our new tower serve a functional, space-saving role for our dealership, it also brings a visually unique element to the Chicago suburbs," said Antonio Scalzo, Volvo of Oak Park president. "This tower solidifies Volvo of Oak Park as a cutting edge, standout car dealership in the area."

"The tower is a first in the nation, adding another level of differentiation from Volvo of Oak Park's innovative organization and enhancing the dealership's premier qualities," said Jeff Pugliese, vice president of Volvo's Midwestern region.

The view from the glass tower will change and stay fresh as new Volvo models are displayed and lighting reflects the changes in the season.

Source: Volvo Cars of North America

Major Re-design submitted for the Chicago Spire

So we've swapped the "drill bit" for a birthday candle. The developer for what easily will be Chicago's most significant addition to its storied skyline submitted a re-design to city hall of their 2000 ft, now less-twisting tower. In an effort to address financial concerns with the project, Garrett Kelleher (developer based in Dublin), and architect Santiago Calatrava have eliminated the hotel portion of the building and converted 3 million sq ft. to 1,300 condominium units exclusively, adding 35 more floors, bringing the overall total to 150 floors. Instead of the 400 ft. broadcast antenna, the now flatter top is accentuated by fin-like protrusions at roof level resulting from the structure's spiraling design . Additionally, the 6-story parking garage has been scrapped for underground parking consisting of 7-levels.  The base has an increased rotation with none at the top according to a quote from Calatrava in the Chicago Tribune. The "twist" is now 270 degrees instead of the original 360.  According to news outlets, Calatrava expressed a desire to "learn from Chicago" as he referenced Sears Tower and Hancock Center as to how his building recalls the "simple silhouettes" of these two icons.  To date the project has been estimated at around $1.2 billion and is scheduled to break ground mid-2007pending political approval and market conditions.

Millennium Station at Randolph Street

Comes to Life with the Color of Retail Shops

So the cavalry has finally arrived! After a few years of waiting for the arrival of retailers to fill the sheet-covered store space in the sleekly modernized Millennium Station, Starbucks is one of the first to break the ice (or glacier). Even though Starbucks is becoming more common around the loop than newsstands, they are a welcome sight to the newly renovated transit hub. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls which dramatically curve around the passenger terminal now reflect the domestic ambiance of Starbucks "homey" interior adding all the sights, sounds, and yes, smells that go with it.  Along with a just-opened flower shop (Cityscents), much needed color has brought this chrome-challenged space to life.  Metra patrons have already begun to settle in to the coffee shops comfy environs to take the edge off their commute wait.  Even though this station is much smaller than its counterparts in the loop, Millennium Station at Randolph Street with its thematic-design, brighter concourse and visual panache created by the large window-wall decor could turn out to be an important first step toward making a good first impression to travelers and tourists alike entering the city through this emerging gateway.

Major Mixed-Use Development Planned for South Loop

Centrum Properties is set to initiate a 12-acre, $1-billion project near Roosevelt road and 9th street beginning early 2007 adding to the surge of recent development in the South Loop. The community named The Roosevelt Collection is to include a 40-story condominium high-rise and a 45-story condominium high-rise on its northern end with 1,800-car parking garage, a 2.5 acre park and 400,000 square feet of retail space. The retail space is to be comprised of restaurants, a health club and a 20-screen theater. The condominiums will range from $290,000 to $600,000 in price.

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Hoffman Estates Enters the  Entertainment Venue Arena

This week the new Sears Centre will open in Hoffman Estates with the Thursday night performance of Duran Duran, Bob Dylan the following night and Lionel Ritchie with Chaka Khan Sunday Oct 29th.  The $62 million dollar 11,000 seat multi-purpose facility will not only vie for a piece of the Chicago area concert pie, but will be the home of the AA hockey franchise Chicago Hounds, the Major Indoor Soccer League's Chicago Storm as well as the Chicago Shamrox of the National Lacrosse League.  Although the entertainment complex replaces the once Popular Creek outdoor concert venue, Jam Productions has announced its intentions to construct an 8,900-seat outdoor facility next to the Sears Centre called Prairie Creek Amphitheater with a scheduled opening of May 2007.

Historical Society Gets an Extreme Makeover

The Chicago Historical Society has undergone what it hopes is seen as an extreme makeover.  Now known as the Chicago History Museum, this 150 year old institution hopes to raise its profile as well as its foot traffic for the next hundred years to come.  The 27.5 million renovation includes 16,000 sq. ft. of new exhibition and gallery space, the focal point of which is the spacious atrium area where you will immediately encounter a vintage "low-rider" illustrating a cultural expression of Chicago's many Hispanic communities.  This is just one of several new permanent exhibits accompanied also by all of the old favorites in revamped spaces.  The Chicago History Museum is located at 1600 N Clark on the edge of the Lincoln Park Neighborhood. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students with free admission on Mondays. For more visit www.chicagohs.org

Olympic-sized Opportunity

Certainly, over the past couple of years, Mayor Richard M. Daley has brought Chicago onto the national spotlight with increasing frequency-for better or worse.  From his “green initiatives” to his now renowned Millennium Park and from recent corruption probes to the announcement of the city’s intentions to make a serious bid toward hosting the 2016 Olympic Games, Chicago has gotten its fair share of national attention. 

Of course few things would command the measure of world-wide focus than that of hosting an Olympic competition. Make no bones about it, Chicago is presently a world class city; yet, if we would be honest with ourselves, there is still a civic self-consciousness about our status on the world stage-especially when compared to New York City (which few if any would ever admit).  We yearn to “strut our stuff” whenever the occasion permits to those out there still ignorant of all we have achieved and are achieving culturally, innovatively, and even athletically. 

Consequently, there are those who feel we have nothing to prove and nothing to gain from inviting “the world” here to experience Chicago for a couple of weeks.  Yet, others see an Olympic-sized opportunity to not only showcase our growth and progress to the world but also a unique moment in time to perhaps move two steps forward with bold, fresh and inventive plans to improve transportation, infra-structure and the architectural cityscape.   Whichever side you fall in this argument, take the time to voice your opinions in whatever arenas you can-work, school, social venues and through our message board, featured friends and web poll.  Chicagoland will be best served as we hash out our differences as a “family.”  We look forward to hearing your responses

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PLAYFUL FORMS FOR COLUMBIA

DESIGNING A CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE

NEW YORK' BY FRANK GEHRY

NEW YORK CONDO DESIGN AN OPEN AND SHUTTERED CASE