A gym that wears its structure like a dare—masts and cables doing the work so the inside can breathe.
Sports complex at University of Chicago, U.S.
Visitor Guide
If you can’t get in, don’t leave: the exterior is the lesson. Walk the corner of Ellis Ave & 55th St and track the cable geometry from mast to roof edge.
Sidewalk at Ellis Ave & E 55th St (southwest corner), angled to include masts and the S-shaped roof; late afternoon for dramatic cable shadows.
Primarily for University of Chicago community and members; public access depends on policies and passes. Exterior viewing is always possible from public sidewalks.
It’s essentially a suspension/cable-stayed roof argument disguised as an athletics facility—structure as the primary architectural expression.
30–60 min (exterior + possible quick interior)
Design & Structure
Structure-led design: external mast-and-cable supports suspend the roof, eliminating interior obstructions and turning engineering into the building’s visual identity.
Glass curtain walls and steel masts/cables: transparency to show the structure; steel to make the roof float with minimal interior compromise.
An asymmetrically supported, cable-stayed roof system with masts and counterweights—large open spans achieved by moving support outside the volume.
More by César Pelli
View all →
Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center
Minneapolis Central Library
Overture Center for the Arts
Pacific Design Center
Clorox Building
National Museum of Art, Osaka
Nearby in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Gerald Ratner Athletics Center?+
Gerald Ratner Athletics Center was designed by César Pelli. It is located in Illinois, United States.
Where is Gerald Ratner Athletics Center located?+
Gerald Ratner Athletics Center is located in Illinois, United States. Its coordinates are 41.7941°, -87.6018°.
Can I visit Gerald Ratner Athletics Center?+
Gerald Ratner Athletics Center is a real building in Illinois that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.