Yesterday I went on the Emerging Chicago Architecture bus tour, organized by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. We began at the CAF, with a brief presentation/introduction on the new Spertus Institute building by Mark Sexton (in the image below, with a white shirt and dark jacket) of Kreuck + Sexton.
Spertus explains their story.
Many factors of the design are definitely contributing to the community at large. First, the new facility is built on a previously vacant lot, so the land marked Michigan Avenue wall will become more contiguous. Second, the facade (under construction, shown above) is Kreuck + Sexton’s 21st century interpretation of the bay, present in many of the buildings along Michigan Avenue, and employs glass similar in size to the typical sizes of glass as it’s neighbors.
Spertus’ program encourages interaction and welcomes visitors. Unlike many of the historic neighbors along Michigan, the top two floors (9th and 10th stories) of Spertus are the public galleries and sky garden, which offer uniquely public high views of Lake Michigan, Grant Park and Millennium Park.
The architect is also pursuing a Silver LEED rating. Green Bean tells us more about the materials and systems employed.
After a brief tour of the South Side, we made our way down to the Gary Comer Youth Center, designed by John Ronan (pictured below, in the protected entry of the center)and completed and opened earlier this year. Blair Kamin gives an overview here.
Gary Comer, the founder of Lands’ End who grew up in the Grand Crossing neighborhood where the youth center is located, donated approximately thirty million dollars to design and build a home for the South Shore Drill Team.
Ecotecture 