CHICAGO | The 78 Site

[sentinel]

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming. Such a huge miss.

[swipyfox]

Originally Posted by sentinel

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming. Such a huge miss.

We should be grateful of any new development in this city...plus no tax payer funds. Not much room to complain

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by swipyfox

We should be grateful of any new development in this city...plus no tax payer funds. Not much room to complain

That’s a horribly defeatist attitude. Yes, I’m glad something is being built there, and yes, I’m glad no new taxes required for it. But to say that we shouldn’t be critical of mediocre designs when it really takes no additional effort to make something unique, is really sad.

[BuildThemTaller]

Originally Posted by sentinel

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming. Such a huge miss.

Be grateful that the side facing the river isn't a wall of LED screens. That's what is passing for "sleek, contemporary" for some new stadia.

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by BuildThemTaller

Be grateful that the side facing the river isn't a wall of LED screens. That's what is passing for "sleek, contemporary" for some new stadia.

Originally Posted by JK47

Strongly disagree. Those sleek contemporary designs are prone to looking faded and dated with time. Particularly when upkeep on those fun but odd design flourishes falls behind. The brick and glass combined with it's industrial shaping reminds me of Camden Yards which is a handsome stadium that's aged well. Further, that stadium, like this one, was built in an industrial waterfront setting in a city with an industrial past.

They were saying they wanted a stadium that would still look good decades in the future, so they’re trying to go for something that will be more timeless and less “showy” and fits in with the existing buildings of the area. So the criticisms that a lot of people have which other people are also complementing is very much intentional

Though if they wanted to make it timeless AND showy with the current brick warehouse appearance, I’d love for them to have a big clock tower like at the Central Manufacturing District as a monument for the stadium.

[JK47]

Originally Posted by sentinel

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming. Such a huge miss.

Strongly disagree. Those sleek contemporary designs are prone to looking faded and dated with time. Particularly when upkeep on those fun but odd design flourishes falls behind. The brick and glass combined with it's industrial shaping reminds me of Camden Yards which is a handsome stadium that's aged well. Further, that stadium, like this one, was built in an industrial waterfront setting in a city with an industrial past.

[aaron38]

Originally Posted by sentinel

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming.

I've rapidly soured on the concept of "unique". What's unwelcoming about this stadium? It's a rectangular building around a rectangular field. At least it looks like it was designed by an adult.

Would you rather have Audi Field (2018) that looks like an 8 year old built it out of Legos?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_F...Looking_SW.jpg

How about Shell Energy Stadium (2012), designed by someone who watched The Running Man a few too many times?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_...c_Entrance.jpg

I looked for sleek contemporary soccer stadiums, didn't find any.

[southoftheloop]

The design is satisfying and very much "Chicago"—but wish it did a bit more to capitalize on the prime-time site by opening up to either the river or the skyline view

[swipyfox]

Not a fan of how auto centric this development is

[OhioGuy]

Originally Posted by southoftheloop

The design is satisfying and very much "Chicago"—but wish it did a bit more to capitalize on the prime-time site by opening up to either the river or the skyline view

Yeah, this is my main criticism. I wish it took advantage of its location by providing more of a skyline view. I would assume the closed in box helps with creating a louder stadium environment compared to one that’s more open where the sound can more easily escape, but I’d still like to see more of the city from inside the stadium. Overall the design is fine - not groundbreaking but not bad. Like others noted, this will probably age better than some flashy modernist stadium that looks unique now but dated in 10-15 years.