DD23 | Chicago architecture price 2021 |Short listed

COMPETITION INFORMATION

“In 2015 former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner announced his interest in the sale or demolition of the Thompson Center. Located in Chicago’s Central Business District and having exceptional access to transit, the property is expected to command top dollar if sold to a developer. In 2019, Illinois Democratic Governor Jay Robert Pritzker signed a bill to begin its sale. In May of 2021, just days before Jahn’s passing, Governor Pritzker issued the RFP for the Thompson Center.“(Chicago Architecture Club, 2021)
“Governor Pritzker has the opportunity, after years of neglect by his predecessors, to lead thru the sale of the Thompson Center by giving it new life. Repurposing the building the right way could go beyond what the building ever was, making it better, more public, and a place where you want to work, stay overnight, live or just visit and feel good. Miracles and dreams can become real.” (Helmut Jahn, 2020)

DD23

There is different approach to deal with issues which we are faced to, we categorise them to three different main group : Changing, Removing and Attaching. Between these three options, attaching will provide minimum Intervention with renovation existing building. Also attaching approach can consider in a way which helps building to become more public and more attractive, it also should works with existing building with minimum damaged, not only physically but also conceptually. The suspension, is a feeling that is exciting, and Helmut John was aware of it when he drawn the atrium, stairs are flying there, and it was much more effective 3 decades ago. on the other hand beauty is happening inside the building, and it is not obvious from outside, in the other word, the strongest factor is covered by a glassed skin, it caused missing The James R. Thompson Center between high rise building in context. This project try to bring beauty in ouside with same language as inside, it placed in a plaza where art work was placed before, so thinking about form here is an important point. It is open, inviting and attractive. Nine floors gallery with an restaurant in three floors in above will be an meeting place, and the pedestrian bridge conncet two building again together. Personal who will work again in offices of The James R. Thompson Center can take fresh air in roof and drink cafe through the bridge.

On the south-east corner where building breaks rigidity of the city’s grid, there is a possibility to use property, by checking the Concourse plan, you can see there is an intersect between grid line DD and 23 which give us chance to do attach with minimum intervention. Expanding public space from the plaza and connecting it to the roof will provide an active roof. Pedestrian bridge plays roll as an inviting object and it also make a frame for The James R. Thompson Center. The bridge also bring feeling of suspension in outside and in this situation we can say inside and outside are flying.