Quote:
Originally Posted by SIGSEGV
It's replacing accelerator, so presumably something like 5620 S Ellis Ave.
(I work in 5640 S Ellis, so I'll probably have some nice updates on this once they finally knock down accelerator... They were supposed to a while ago).
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That is the building being replaced, correct.
Fun story: The last A/E firm I worked at was partnered with Payette, as one of the finalists for the design of the NESB. I was not part of that design team/project, but was aware of the collaboration in the office and saw the development of the competition design over the course of 4-5 months. I have to say, it was far more compelling and unique a design than this is. U of C chose the safest and sadly, blandest design for what is planned as a major, literal corner of the University.
My old firm's design had 9 floors + two below grade. It was L-shaped, hugging the corner of 57th and Ellis Ave...but the really cool parts where 1.) the facade design and 2.) the negative spaces sculpted out of the building, which were spherical. The SW-facing inside area facing the Engineering quad almost appeared as if was sculpted out of a large sphere's negative space, with the canopy extending out into the quad and then curving up along the building facade to the top floor. That entire curved facade wall was composed of solar panels, to take advantage of that optimal angle for solar gain. There were also smaller curved "cut-outs", along the corner of 57th and Ellis, and further south along Ellis, which acted as multi-floor tall meeting areas, or student gathering spaces. I may have some renders somewhere, or I can sketch it from memory, if I remember to do so.
The biggest roadblock was the school's vice-provost, who is an....incredibly challenging person, and had their own ideas of what the building needed to be. For a relatively design-forward organization, I think U of C missed a big opportunity by not moving forward with that design, because it wasn't just unique, but also provided high functionality with lots of future flex space built-in, as well as unique overhead connections to the Eckhardt science building to the south.
Oh well.