CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS - Page 160

Alliance · #**3181** Posted **May 23, 2008, 4:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trvlr70

I don't see that at all. How does it's location drive the design? I know LSE is trying to have a nautical/water theme going here, but this particular plot of land is not inspiring.

I see the balconies and being a flourish, yet a brilliant one that I love. A more pragmatic architect would not have had curved balconies at all.

Asheesh is right. The blaconies are deisgined to give all the residents views of Chicago that would otherwise be blocked by neighboring buildings. They, in addition to the multiple types of glass being used regulated the sunlight exposure and solar heating of the building. In additoin, the balconies are an essential component to the philosophy of uniqueness within community, a step in the evolution of Goldberg's Marina city.

This building is the result of excessive pragmatism, revealing novel ways to express it. The problem with architecutre today is that people look at something thats not a box and say "Wow! Its not a box!" This is not the case here. Aqua, imo, solves the modernist conundrum. There is nothing more efficient than a box, but only in the simple terms of space and cost efficiency. By taking on new, more complex goals, often "green" ones, we can engineer cutting edge structures that are exceedingly practical and not just passing fantasies devoid of any coherent thought. These buildings tackle new and complex problems that weren't thought about during the modernist revolution. Aqua is one of these new structures and I think Gang Studio is an unquestionable leader in this feild.

Nowhereman1280 · #**3182** Posted **May 23, 2008, 4:50 PM**

^^^ Yes, the balconies were actually heavily influenced by computer design where they told the computer how much baloconies they need and what kind of views are best and let it map out the general form or something like that. Much of the layout of these balconies was actually determined by something purely logical, computers.

trvlr70 · #**3183** Posted **May 23, 2008, 5:37 PM**

I don't think you folks quite understood the point I was trying to make. But let's not beat a dead horse because hopefully we can all agree that Aqua is absolutely FIERCE.

asheesh88 · #**3184** Posted **May 23, 2008, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trvlr70

Aqua is absolutely FIERCE.

Agreed!!!!

Asheesh

Chitown · #**3185** Posted **May 23, 2008, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolarWind

I've got to say, I'm actually quite glad they're painting it. In this picture, it is very clear to me that the painted balconies look better.

Nowhereman1280 · #**3186** Posted **May 23, 2008, 7:36 PM**

^^^ And they'll last longer...

Busy Bee · #**3187** Posted **May 23, 2008, 7:47 PM**

Video on YoChicago, 5:00 in has a blurb about the balconies.

honte · #**3188** Posted **May 23, 2008, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alliance

This building is all business...

Its form is completely mandated by its location and function.

Come on Alliance, you know the design of Aqua is probably at least 50% caprice. I like it too, and I agree that it's a step in the right direction, but overstating the facts can have damaging results.

Even Mies's buildings weren't "all business."

TorancisOMP · #**3189** Posted **May 24, 2008, 1:11 AM**

If this is Aqua, why aren't the windows blue like OMP or in the renderings?

The Pimp · #**3190** Posted **May 24, 2008, 1:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorancisOMP

If this is Aqua, why aren't the windows blue like OMP or in the renderings?

They are....

Wild Onion Mike · #**3191** Posted **May 24, 2008, 4:30 AM**

Exceptional photos Solarwind

From certain angles this building is absolutely intoxicatingly sexy. Now that it is getting taller we can see the multiple layers of undulating floor plates and Solarwings last photo contr. really made me think Aqua has a chance to be freaking awesome. The incredible organic flow evidenced at this height alone is hinting at how much this tower will almost be a kinetic sculpture.

BTW, If Harry Partch were an architect Aqua would be the product of his merging Mies Seagram Building with F.L. Wright's Guggenheim Museum.
I know others have mentioned Marina Towers, but those balconies on Aqua are screaming Guggenheim to me.

harryc · #**3192** Posted **May 24, 2008, 3:14 PM**

May 21

May 23

Nowhereman1280 · #**3193** Posted **May 24, 2008, 5:24 PM**

^^^ As the building grows taller the balconies are standing out more and more. The curves will soon be noticeable from blocks away.

Taft · #**3194** Posted **May 24, 2008, 7:44 PM**

Here are some pics from last weekend (5/17):

Taft

EarlyBuyer · #**3195** Posted **May 24, 2008, 8:41 PM**

Thanks for the great photo updates harryc and Taft!

SolarWind · #**3196** Posted **May 24, 2008, 9:44 PM**

May 22, 2008

Jita · #**3197** Posted **May 25, 2008, 12:59 AM**

Here's a photo that I took this afternoon. . .

Since it's a big image, I'm just posting the small version, but you can enlarge it if you want.

aaron38 · #**3198** Posted **May 26, 2008, 3:08 PM**

05-23-08

The streetwall on Columbus

From Randolpf

Tower and parkhomes

This must be the different reflectivity of the glass panes. The change in color wasn't due to the shadows of the balconies.

Taft · #**3199** Posted **May 26, 2008, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaron38

05-23-08This must be the different reflectivity of the glass panes. The change in color wasn't due to the shadows of the balconies.

You are absolutely right. In fact, you can see the difference between the shadows left on the reflective glass versus the non-reflective glass. The panels of glass are clearly different before the light/shadow hits them.

Taft

SolarWind · #**3200** Posted **May 27, 2008, 4:32 AM**

May 22, 2008