CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS

[Jibba]

Originally Posted by harryc

Basically the same a Jibba's, but with light.

Ha, we keep following in each other's footsteps. Great minds think alike, right? Your has much better lighting, and I'm a little jealous that yours turned out better than mine . One of these days I will find the time to catch a sunset/sunrise. Sweet shot, though, and doesn't Aqua add a fantastic element of depth from that angle?

[honte]

Originally Posted by Beck4ABigChicago

This discussion about the base is kinda like a bad rerun...but I really enjoy this one as people have interesting opinions now that there is more to look at....however, I'll stick with my original impression that the complex is a strip mall with a building growing out of the top ala Presidential Towers (albiet, the actual tower is amazing). I put up a great rendering once, but it got deleted (a strip mall with a 7-11, dry cleaner, etc with Aqua popping out of the top) :-)

Yeah, in that now-deleted conversation, I put forth the sick-and-twisted theory that Aqua observes the Chicago vernacular by repeating the parking podium trend. Like it or hate it, it is indeed a defining part of Chicago's urban landscape. I still think there is some curious merit to this.

[alex1]

Originally Posted by honte

Aqua seems to me a building truly in the spirit of Chicago architecture, but only because it can't decide how much of our tradition to carry forth vs. how much to follow larger, global trends. That's been a perplexing problem here since at least the 1980s.

seeing that Jeanne worked in Rotterdam and that Chicago has long stalled as an architectural powerhouse, this does not come as a surprise to me. Nor do I think it's a huge problem considering the current state of Chicago architecture. For one, the work outside of a few very talented designers and architects is weak. A gap exists, for sure.

It took me all but 15 minutes in Holland to realize how strong their design sense is and how the locality dictates the forms and decision making processes. There is a level of discovery that is embedded in their history, landscape and regional evolution that doesn't seem forced. It's all very natural. For some reason, Chicago's history of innovation in design and architecture has been spotty despite many years of ingenious work.

What I do find very interesting is when I see the Dutch export that process elsewhere. It seems out of place, no matter the architects sensitivity to a region, culture or landscape. Student center at IIT (rem) has that problem. I like certain components of it, but it would be a much better building in Holland then it is in Chicago.

Likewise, Aqua works and fits into Chicago quite well. It might fit into Rotterdam's sometimes frilly and fanciful financial district but beneath those curving balconies lies a box. And that language is Chicagoan, not Dutch. (although Jeanne was getting closer to a Dutch language with her original colored glass-paned balconies).

Anyhow, I think you nailed this tower in your post Honte.

[Busy Bee]

Easy one, it's all about the Dutch Light.

[wrab]

^ Thanks for the Dutch Light link!

The Dutch have something of an historical obsession with light & optics, going back at least as far as the 17th century (lenses, caravaggisti, the camera obscura):



Chicago also has a special light - more than just myth - something about latitude + luminosity from the Lake + flat terrain + NSEW grid pattern. Hadid commented on it recently while she was in the region for her work on the Ann Arbor project. There is a real clarity to it, and it rewards interesting surfaces (one reason why precast panels can look so cruddy here, IMHO). Underestimated as a force in shaping the building culture here.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by alex1

For one, the work outside of a few very talented designers and architects is weak. A gap exists, for sure.

There are more than a few very talented architects here; the problem is that their firms are young and/or they haven't had the exposure of some of their more mature/prolific peers.

Originally Posted by alex1

(although Jeanne was getting closer to a Dutch language with her original colored glass-paned balconies).

[Jibba]

Originally Posted by wrabbit

Chicago also has a special light - more than just myth - something having to do with the latitude, luminosity from the Lake, the flat terrain, and the NSEW grid pattern. Hadid commented on it recently while she was in the region for her work on the Ann Arbor project. There is a real clarity to it, and it rewards interesting surfaces (one reason why precast panels can look so cruddy here, IMHO). Underestimated as a force in shaping the building culture here.

This is an interesting point, and one that I would not have really dwelled upon unless someone brought it up specifically like you have. Certainly a valid point, too; the way the city lights up sometimes is literally brilliant.

[VivaLFuego]

Originally Posted by honte

Yeah, in that now-deleted conversation, I put forth the sick-and-twisted theory that Aqua observes the Chicago vernacular by repeating the parking podium trend. Like it or hate it, it is indeed a defining part of Chicago's urban landscape. I still think there is some curious merit to this.

This is a sentiment I've been coming around to for a while, as well. Certainly since our FAR-based zoning code of 1957, the tower-over-podium form is clearly a local vernacular. It's not inherently a bad thing, but the bad examples that obliterate streetscapes ruin the image/perception of the more tasteful, elegantly-functional podia. I'm not yet quite sure what I'll think of Aqua's podium but my instinct is that it will be a pretty decent effort, particularly given the unique peculiarities of the multi-level site.

[alex1]

Originally Posted by wrabbit

Chicago also has a special light - more than just myth - something about latitude + luminosity from the Lake + flat terrain + NSEW grid pattern. Hadid commented on it recently while she was in the region for her work on the Ann Arbor project. There is a real clarity to it, and it rewards interesting surfaces (one reason why precast panels can look so cruddy here, IMHO). Underestimated as a force in shaping the building culture here.

I remember moving to Chicago after my undergrad and falling instantly in love with the yellowish hue in the light.

Some people might not like the light quality in Chicago but I think it's quite wonderful.

[alex1]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

There are more than a few very talented architects here; the problem is that their firms are young and/or they haven't had the exposure of some of their more mature/prolific peers.

I don't disagree with this but I've seen more then a few really talented architects move to Holland or elsewhere due to how conservative developers tend to be.

The bigger problem is that designers and architects aren't getting a consistent flow of good commissions in Chicago. Without this the city will have a hard time truly developing its talent.

[Jibba]

Today:





The fact that the Gang crew eschewed "fake" balconies on the mechanical floor is excellent--it gives a whole new layer to the aesthetic in terms of its functional origins and program.

[harryc]

Another pair of river shots.

[Jibba]

^By my count there are only about 7 more floors to go. Anyone else have an estimation?

Oh, and I'll be damned if those bridges aren't dead sexy. The geometry displayed in the bridge in the foreground of your shot looks so sweet, harryc.

[dropdeaded209]

I agree, those bridges look fantastic. Also, it looks like Hotel 71 is trying to mimic Aqua's curves, the way sunlight is reflecting off the facade.

[harryc]

Originally Posted by dropdeaded209

I agree, those bridges look fantastic. Also, it looks like Hotel 71 is trying to mimic Aqua's curves, the way sunlight is reflecting off the facade.

That may be light reflected from Trump Tower, but yes cool effect.

[Aqua Plumber]

75 east was to be poured today but was cancelled do to the weather.....it will not be poured until monday. 75 west is decked but not ready to be poured. crane will be down until monday as well

[Jibba]

^Thanks; good to know.

[cbotnyse]

Originally Posted by harryc

harry, you really nailed this composition. really well done.

[Jibba]

Today:

[harryc]