*Nominated for the Chicago Award
Graduate Design Studio - Spring 2012 Semester
Three-Person Team Project
Media used: Revit, Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, chipboard, plexiglass, basswood
Problem Statement: The McPier site on the south side of Chicago provides many opportunities, as it is along Lake Michigan, located close to the Loop, directly south of McCormick Place, and near the Illinois Institute of Technology. This challenging yet distinctive site is situated in the Bronzeville area of Chicago, which has a strong identity but is in need of revitalization. The primary challenge is to design a new high-density development for the air rights over the existing McPier parking site. Initial considerations must include identifying a datum, spanning the parking area, engaging the existing Metra line, bringing people to the site, and complementing the overall character of Chicago and its enchanting skyline.
Design Concept:
The New Metropolis development is ecologically responsible, transit-oriented, economically viable, culturally vibrant, and visually cohesive. Strategies for achieving an ecologically responsible and transit-oriented site include using local energy sources, encouraging innovation, planning for future growth, and providing various access points to the site based on user types. In order to be economically viable, culturally vibrant, and visually cohesive, The New Metropolis will contain an entertainment district, strong economic core, landmark buildings, arts initiatives, a lakefront character, and a plan that revitalizes the Bronzeville neighborhood. Our development includes three main east-west axes and a major boulevard running north-south through the site. This development connects with and draws in the surrounding neighborhood through public park spaces and retail storefronts along the transit hub and other major building podiums. The transit hub serves as a new major node for Chicago, providing connections to Lake Michigan, the Metra, CTA, bike paths, and our in-site Tram System. With a multitude of transit options, The New Metropolis is a completely car-free zone, with parking situated below the platform, separate from pedestrian thoroughfares. All street types in The New Metropolis are designed for pedestrian and bike traffic, with deep sidewalks and an array of green boulevards. Small city blocks increase the number of corner retail spaces and pedestrian routes, encouraging diverse social interaction. A Great Lakes Ecological Center is positioned east into Lake Michigan. The center is designated to house public conventions and educational facilities that reflect both local and global ecological research and innovation. Public and private green spaces throughout the site supply unique opportunities for outdoor meeting areas and allow for natural night to enter in within the dense, urban fabric.
