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

[Tom In Chicago]

Sounds like the process for the Aqua design is going to be closer to the original concept where each unit is uniquely designed and outfitted. . . keeping the units "raw" as was mentioned is probably an indication that this building will look quite different once populated than the renderings currently suggest. . . for better or for worse. . .

There are new settlement marks on the property just south of where the tower will rise. . . probably indicating the larger footprint for the base of the structure. . .

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by honte

Gang spoke yesterday on Aqua at the CTBUH lecture at IIT. Not a whole lot of new information, but she did explain further the design process, which was pretty cool. Some facts I hadn't heard before:

Studio Gang "set up" the order of the building, then they "let the architecture determine" what it "wanted to be" from that point forward. Her example was the glazed parts that come flush with the surface. Since these don't have overhanging balconies, they are actually going to be glazed with a more reflective window than the rest, to cut down on glare inside the units. She showed a diagram of this, and it looks pretty funky and cool.

She also addressed the energy efficiency issue re: the balconies, which many here have discussed. The answer: As someone suggested here, they are fairly small when considering the whole bulk of the building. Gang said that the building has already passed Chicago's revised energy code for efficiency. However, she said they are looking into some kind of "minimal" device that will cut down / elminate possible condensation from the floor above. This is a concern for them aesthetically, since they want the interiors of the units to be as "raw as possible."

Finally, as I said in the Boom Rundown, this forum was featured prominently in her presentation. Congratulations to the "heavy hitters" around here for attracting the eye of a great talent.

EDIT: Oops, almost forgot to mention this: She had some of BVic's photos of the model in the presentation too. They looked really sharp. She said that she loves photos like that, because it's good when you still like your own work when seen through someone else's eyes.

you serious? she showed some of my photos? BITCHIN'... what else did she have to say about this forum?

[Chicago Shawn]

I heard through the grapevine from a very realiable source that caissons are going in starting in November. November 1st is desired but the work crew is not sure they begin at that time, but they are comming soon. This is to be a major caisson job, with about 60 of them going to bedrock.

Really cool to hear about the site being plugged at a major discussion of architecture. And Mrs. Gang, if your reading this now, I love your firm's work, and thank you so much for Aqua, our city's next landmark skyscraper. I hope your community meeting in Hyde Park went well.

[trvlr70]

Originally Posted by Chicago Shawn

I And Mrs. Gang, if your reading this now, I love your firm's work, and thank you so much for Aqua, our city's next landmark skyscraper. I hope your community meeting in Hyde Park went well.

Ass kisser....but, I agree.

[Saber925]

Originally Posted by honte

Gang spoke yesterday on Aqua at the CTBUH lecture at IIT. Not a whole lot of new information, but she did explain further the design process, which was pretty cool. Some facts I hadn't heard before:

Studio Gang "set up" the order of the building, then they "let the architecture determine" what it "wanted to be" from that point forward. Her example was the glazed parts that come flush with the surface. Since these don't have overhanging balconies, they are actually going to be glazed with a more reflective window than the rest, to cut down on glare inside the units. She showed a diagram of this, and it looks pretty funky and cool.

She also addressed the energy efficiency issue re: the balconies, which many here have discussed. The answer: As someone suggested here, they are fairly small when considering the whole bulk of the building. Gang said that the building has already passed Chicago's revised energy code for efficiency. However, she said they are looking into some kind of "minimal" device that will cut down / elminate possible condensation from the floor above. This is a concern for them aesthetically, since they want the interiors of the units to be as "raw as possible."

Finally, as I said in the Boom Rundown, this forum was featured prominently in her presentation. Congratulations to the "heavy hitters" around here for attracting the eye of a great talent.

EDIT: Oops, almost forgot to mention this: She had some of BVic's photos of the model in the presentation too. They looked really sharp. She said that she loves photos like that, because it's good when you still like your own work when seen through someone else's eyes.

Can someone clarify what is meant by "they want the interiors as raw as possible". Thanks!

[budman]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

you serious? she showed some of my photos? BITCHIN'... what else did she have to say about this forum?

^ That is very cool STR, congratulations. Is your stuff copyrighted? Can it be? Maybe you can sell/liscense your model for use by Studio/Gang
Although having our own local starchitect use it is probably enough

[Steely Dan]

that is very cool that jeanne gang gave some recognition to the SSP community. you just never know who's browsing these forums.

[honte]

Originally Posted by Saber925

Can someone clarify what is meant by "they want the interiors as raw as possible". Thanks!

I think she meant that she wants the concrete to be exposed, so no dropped ceilings. This would present complications when adding breaks, sealant, drips, &c that would help with the condensation issue, since all of this stuff would be visible or would require some kind of covering.

[honte]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

you serious? she showed some of my photos? BITCHIN'... what else did she have to say about this forum?

Hmmm... let me try to recall. In general, she was brief, since she was really there to talk about her design and not this forum . Basically, she said that she was amazed by the care we show for the city, that the data was very current, thorough, and accurate, and that they check it out regularly. She did originally mention "forums," but when asked for specifics, this was the only one she named.

Regarding your photos, I got the sense that she genuinely liked them. She discussed the one she showed, and also one that a "photographer friend" of hers manipulated by adding the sky to the background (that's the one that has been criticized here for not looking realistic). Both of the photos had the building cropped at the top (which I think primarily serves to make it look super-tall), but she said that this kind of thing is pleasing to the Studio because from street level often your viewpoint is clipped in some way, so you're not seeing the whole building anyway.

Aqua looked pretty good at the presentation, although a bit more budget-conscious than most of the stuff being presented. But it was a HUGE relief to have something major in Chicago that fit the tone being set worldwide with truly forward-thinking designs. (The Calatrava and Trump did get a little play, but the uncertainty of 400 LSD hurt it, and Trump's contextual approach and rather conventional structural system made it an unlikely discussion topic. Seeing everything going on out there makes me all the more disappointed that we consistently have had the same old names pop up in this boom - and adding insult to injury, SOM/Chicago and Helmut Jahn produced hands-down some of the nicest buildings featured at this two-day meeting).

Gang had a hilarious animation for Aqua that explained why they were so interested in the curving balconies and views they can afford. A red box was shown from Millennium Park, representing the Aqua tower. Everything is fine until the surrounding buildings start to fill in the scene, with the last building being AON, which completely obscures the Aqua building. The crowd thought it was great, and Jeanne timed her dialog perfectly.

[Dan in Chicago]

honte, you were at the CTBUH function? And you didn't stop by the Emporis table? Shame on you. But anyway yeah, I met Jeanne Gang today and one thing you'll be glad to hear is the bit about reducing the balconies on Aqua IS ONLY a rumor. We talked briefly about her Hyde Park project but it's so early there wasn't much to reveal. It is hard not to be excited about it, though, it's such a prime location and a building like hers is just right for it. Even if the boom simmers a little, Hyde Park's housing market is so tight I think it would do well. So if any of you CBP guys want a local resident's help in speaking for this building, call on me.

BTW, I have to say to Vic and Shawn, it hurts me that we never invited you to the CTBUH conference. You would have loved it, and we would have enjoyed having you. But we had a limited number of slots and we had to give them to the Germans from Emporis who flew in for it.

[Steely Dan]

Tom in chicago reported in the boom rundown thread that he expects construction to begin on Aqua any day now.

[urban_encounter]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

Tom in chicago reported in the boom rundown thread that he expects construction to begin on Aqua any day now.

I have to admit i wasn't thrilled with the design when i first saw it, but it has grown on me over time.

The fact that it's an 800'(+) tower and 83 stories is simply icing on the cake.

[JuniorReb]

Construction is reported to sart very shortly according to McHugh

[Dale]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

Tom in chicago reported in the boom rundown thread that he expects construction to begin on Aqua any day now.

I do hope that it starts soon. It seems to be growing shorter at a rate of about seven feet per month.

[Alliance]

Originally Posted by jcchii

I'm afraid I'm against that blue cross height increase for that reason and because it will crowd 340, which I'm liking a lot

Thats unfortunate. I'm all for increasing Wall around Grant and Millenium park.

I don't think it will diminish 340 as much as you think. BCBS is a nice structure too.

[kalmia]

Is the height listed here measured from Columbus? I thought it was. If this is so, why isn't 400 N LSD measured from LSD instead of the riverside ground like someone said over on that thread?

[kalmia]

Originally Posted by urban_encounter

I have to admit i wasn't thrilled with the design when i first saw it, but it has grown on me over time.

The fact that it's an 800'(+) tower and 83 stories is simply icing on the cake.

I like this image of it. I hope it turns out to look at least as good as this.

[JACKinBeantown]

Now that's a cool design.

[Alliance]

Originally Posted by kalmia

I like this image of it. I hope it turns out to look at least as good as this.

Unfortunately, lighting like that doesn't happen in the real world.

If lwe started seeing lighiting like that....that'd probably be a bad thing.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by kalmia

Is the height listed here measured from Columbus? I thought it was. If this is so, why isn't 400 N LSD measured from LSD instead of the riverside ground like someone said over on that thread?

official building heights are measured from the sidewalk directly outside of their main entrance. since aqua's main entrance will be on upper columbus, that is where the official height is measured from and likewise, becasue 400 N LSD's entrance, if built, will be at the "riverside ground", that's where it's official height would be measured from.