Chicago's architectural identity is a reflection of its diverse layers, from its iconic skyline to the hidden levels underground or within its streets, this design addresses these layers, drawing inspiration from the city's contextual conditions.
Embracing the site's distinct levels, the conceptual framework incorporates a dynamic interplay between the riverwalk level and the street level. Taking into consideration these natural conditions, this project has placed one building on the riverwalk level and another on the street level.
However, after following this natural design instinct, there came the realization that it was missing something. As a pedestrian, there is not a connection to those levels. While observing the split layer site, the question became “How can we create a human experience within these two levels?” This project seeks to respect those two levels, keeping their original footprint, but also connecting and exemplifying them to create a more experiential design.
Embracing the site's distinct levels, the conceptual framework incorporates a dynamic interplay between the riverwalk level and the street level. Taking into consideration these natural conditions, this project has placed one building on the riverwalk level and another on the street level.
However, after following this natural design instinct, there came the realization that it was missing something. As a pedestrian, there is not a connection to those levels. While observing the split layer site, the question became “How can we create a human experience within these two levels?” This project seeks to respect those two levels, keeping their original footprint, but also connecting and exemplifying them to create a more experiential design.
The connective tissue in this project is an added level right in between the two original levels, these layers begin to interact with each other physically connect on the exterior with the connective walls, but also on the interior through these bridges built within the space connecting from one building to the other and the large open atriums on either side of the building.
There are three atriums on each side of the building, each standing five stories tall followed by a five-story gap, and another atrium emerges. This design choice enhances the layered approach, ensuring that within the building, there exists a distinct layers rather than a large open space. Even within its multiple layers. The building's core and these connective elements are what unify everything together.
The curtain wall design also serves as a visual expression of this layered approach, starting with an original curtain wall design but overlapping it with an expressive design creating a multifaceted narrative within the building.
In my vision for the future of work, I delve into the concept of collaboration. Through my research, I've uncovered two contrasting perspectives on this matter. One embraces the traditional approach, advocating for individual private cubicles, while the other champions a modern ethos with open floor plans. Recognizing the diversity of working styles, my concept aims to balance productivity and foster collaboration. To achieve this, I've crafted a versatile furniture piece that combines the best of both worlds.
This innovative cubicle includes sliding doors that transform the space. When open, it creates a small collaboration area, facilitating teamwork and open communication. When closed, it offers a private retreat for focused, solitary work. This design aims to balance personal work styles with the need for collaboration, enhancing both productivity and flexibility in the workplace.
This concept explores the city's conditions, proposing a design incorporates diverse layers whether that’s through the bridges, the atriums, the curtain wall design, or even the site design allowing users to fully experience these levels and the connection between the layers.
