Opportunities to RE•DRESS the character of Chicago’s city streets exist in aging, underutilized structures. With the aim of creatively reducing the cities’ carbon footprint, adaptive reuse can revitalize, densify and catalyze urban environments with needed new developments and programs. This approach is not only sustainable but can introduce unique products to the market through the juxtaposition of old and new. Around the site, there are many murals that painted by Columbia students and artists that changes annually which give the area a different atmosphere. The idea is to create a destination specifically designed for artists and students to inhabit and employ, but also for visitors to enjoy art and be surrounded by it on a grand scale.
This project is located at 615 S. Wabash Ave towards the north end of the Wabash Arts Corridor, which, along with the multitude of Columbia College buildings surrounding our site.
Mural Art taking over the buildings surrounding the site, Columbia College students and worldwide artists paint them annually which inspired us to use art as a medium to combine the building itself and the space.
As an homage to the many beautiful murals located in the Wabash Arts Corridor, we decided to create an LED art projection on our south façade that could advertise and showcase work of upcoming artists.
The idea is to give every residents a best view of the city by putting the amenities on the highest floor. On the other hand, by adding book store, art rooms and gallery space to give people a taste of the view and the art in the building.
It is important to ensure the residents and office workers will have their private area, even when people from outside come in and enjoy the art journey.
There are six art rooms floating in the atrium area. One could take the elevators or stairs located on the East and West end of the atrium as a shortcut to any of the rooms including the gallery and rooftop. The stairs and elevators also support the art room structurally. Ramps not only connect to the art rooms on both sides but also connect to the office, bookstore, and restaurants in the main building.
Ground Floor Plan
Restaurant on the second floor giving the residents and visitors to have a more comfortable living environment. By connecting to the art rooms, one can easily get to the restaurant and bookstore on the way to the top of the building. By sitting on the south side of the restaurant, one can look over the art rooms.
View from the office floor to the art room
On the 3rd floor, a reading room on the east side of the bookstore which we incorporated double height ceiling to gain more sunlight. Moreover, the same language of the curved poured concrete roof as the rooftop gives the space some atmosphere.
Double-height working space
The semi open garden offer residents a place to plant their own food. With several greenhouses provided, the double-height garden floor allows air flow and sunlight to get through. The mounted art atrium roof create a mountain-like view, along with the media mesh wall at the back, it is an interesting scene to look out and enjoy the green life.
Typical Apartment Floor Plan
The Art Atrium and the art rooms contained within it are inspired by artists such as Christopher Janney, Ned Kahn, and Olafur Eliasson. Along with providing space for art installations, they are interesting places to explore when people reach to the top gallery floor.
The art installations are abstract and invoke metaphysical tendencies as the inhabitants wind themselves around the various art rooms. When walking under the art atrium, it is easy to spot on the art installations above. With the sunlight coming through, people can enjoy the curvy paths that leads to different art rooms and different floor.
Rooftop gallery and restaurant
Inside one of the art rooms
