University of Chicago
Private university in Chicago, Illinois.
Solstice on the Park
Solstice on the Park is a 26-story residential tower optimized for environmental performance through a strategic “solar carving” of the facade in alignment with solar angles determined by the site’s specific latitude. The tower rises along the northern edge of historic Jackson Park in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The southern facade features a rhythm of vertical and angled glazing, with the angled window panels slanted inward at 72 degrees—the precise angle at which the sun hits Chicago at the height of the summer solstice. As a result, the southern facade is self-shading, minimizing heat gain during summer months and thereby reducing the need for air-conditioning. In winter months, when the sun is low in the sky, the angled windows maximize daylight exposure to support passive solar warming. The facade also enhances residents’ connections to the surrounding urban and natural contexts. Deployed as two- or three-story modules, the angled glass creates deep balconies for the living spaces at the base of each module and dramatically angled, floor-to-ceiling windows for the apartment or apartments above. When viewed from street level, the tower’s south façade acts like a shifting palette of the city, taking on and highlighting the different colors and activities below. Interiors The building offers 250 dwellings generously sized as studios and 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units. To foster community among residents, the ground floor is devoted to shared amenity spaces that encourage socializing. A lobby, library, lounge, and co-working table front the southern face of the building and are filled with natural light from angled windows, which also heighten the building’s connection with passing street life and the park greenery just beyond. A catering and event kitchen can be divided or expanded with partitions to allow multiple residents to host activities and events simultaneously. A private outdoor deck located just outside the game room and across from the fitness center is an outdoor extension of the shared amenity spaces; with barbecue grills and patio furniture, the deck provides residents room to relax and entertain outdoors. A rich interior material palette balances textures and jewel and metallic tones to achieve lively and warm spaces that suit the building’s diverse mix of tenants. The amenities spaces are set against a backdrop of venetian plaster and furnished with a combination of contemporary and reupholstered vintage furniture, as well as custom pieces made from a cottonwood tree reclaimed from the construction site. A system of poplar Rulon ceiling panels are deployed across the lobby and amenities spaces, wrapping the walls and ceiling and hiding mechanical, acoustic, and fire protection systems; designed to be visible from the street, the materiality of the grilles imbue the entrance and common spaces with warmth. Neighborhood and Urban Context The building harmonizes with its context through its exterior zinc and two-toned fiber cement panels, which evoke the buff-colored character of the neighborhoods historic masonry buildings. Located 30-meters (100 feet) away from a commuter rail station, Solstice on the Park is less than 20 minutes from the bustling “Loop” of downtown Chicago. The building is also a short walk away from a public beach on the Lake Michigan shoreline. The building achieved a Walk Score of 89 points, scoring on walkable access to retail and commercial establishments, access to public transportation, and proximity to bike lanes and trails. Environmental Performance In addition to optimizing environmental performance for interior spaces, the glazing, with its angled position and subtle frit pattern, serves to deter fatal bird strikes. Atop the tower, an extensive green roof covers more than 50% of the roof area, absorbing rainwater and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Planted with drought resistant, native, and non-invasive species, the green roof celebrates Chicago flora while reducing the need for irrigation and capturing stormwater. Furthermore, a special reuse opportunity was leveraged with the site’s existing below-grade foundation, which was repurposed to house a new rainwater collection system. The project was awarded Two Green Globes following an independent assessment which stated that the project “considered the impact of many design decisions and their influence on the day to day operations of the facility. This effort recognizes a complimentary design and construction effort with attention to sustainability in the process, sensitivity to the protection of the environment of an existing site in a dense urban area, and resultant minimization of resource use in the creation of a new building.”.
University Apartments (Chicago)
Revenue house in Chicago, United States of America.
McCormick Tribune Campus Center
Building at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
The St. Regis Chicago
Now the third tallest building in the Chicago skyline, the design for The St. Regis Chicago asks the question: What if skyscrapers can be porous connectors, rather than barriers, for the public realm? Defining a new edge of the city, the tower tightly knits the downtown Lakeshore East community to its surroundings with unprecedented urban connections and enhanced public access to the Chicago River. Housing condominiums, a 5-star hotel, restaurants, and amenity spaces, the building’s residential and hotel amenities combine at the upper levels to create a vibrant social center. Looking up from the river and park, the tower presents itself as three interconnected volumes of differing heights. Moving rhythmically in and out of plane, the overall flowing appearance of the building is the result of an alternating geometry between these three volumes. An innovative structural system allows the central volume to be lifted from the ground plane, creating a new essential pedestrian connection between the Chicago Riverwalk and the nearby community park’s outdoor recreational facilities. The essential “building block” of the architecture is a 12-story truncated pyramid called a frustum. Stacked and nested, right-side up and upside-down, the frustums to form the tower’s flowing volumes. The unique geometry creates a tall building with eight corners instead of four, providing inhabitants with daylight and fresh air from multiple orientations, while also allocating green space atop the building’s various heights. Reinforcing the tower’s flowing appearance is a gradient of high-performance glass that has been optimized for solar performance. Six different types of glass coatings are used for the hybrid window-wall system. Produced using cutting-edge coating-on-demand technology, each type of glass is optimized to perform environmentally for its floor-to-glazing ratio. These coatings also create distinct shades of blue green that recall the hues of Lake Michigan. Targeting LEED Silver certification, the St. Regis Chicago’s key sustainability measures include a water retention cistern for irrigation of the amenity terraces atop the building’s various heights, proximity to public transit options, bicycle storage and changing rooms, car charging stations, and all-underground parking.
NikeLab CHI
Located on the top floor of Nike’s flagship store in Chicago, the NikeLab space has been designed as a flexible modular space to accommodate a variety of installations. The space includes a set of hanging display racks and shelves; made from custom stitched nylon and leather straps; and a set of interchangeable uniquely patterned CNC cut wood bars. Loose leather furniture reference abstracted athletic forms; while the large media wall is made from CNC cut painted wood slats. Nike wanted at sustainable design ethos at the heart the concept. The brief called for a sport inspired concept that was modular, adaptive and could move with Nike Lab’s changing needs. The design intent was to develop a concept with the least amount of parts, in as elegant a manner possible to give Nike the tools to curate its Nikelab product stories. The product assortment varied by season, and as such we needed to create a flexible display system that could accommodate a variety of stories, with a variety of products in a variety of configurations. The solution was to create a steel ceiling grid, with a modular hanging system, allowing apparel, accessories and footwear to be displayed in a variety of was with a small set of modular components. Custom stitched Nylon and leather straps supported computer milled timber beams made from a variety of species. The beams could be wall mounted to create a footwear wall, or stacked to create the service desk. Milled rings were created to support single product stories; and floor standing sport inspired seats and plinths made from cork, and recycled nike shoes (regrind) to help support a tiered presentation of product. A large computer milled wall integrated hi resolution screens to display digital content and photography flexibly. The palette was purposefully simple and key to the overall concept. All parts in the space are created through a combination of computer controlled manufacturing and hand finishing. At the heart of the concept are the wood beams, each made from a different species, which are computer milled with parametric patterns developed with reference to Nike’s iconic sole patterns. The beams can be supported by nylon and leather straps with custom stitch patterns; a modular custom table base made from steel; or hung from the wall from simple steel shelf brackets. The straps also support wooden milled rings to tell unique product stories. The seating and plinths are made from laser cut leather, Nike regrind (recycled shoes), and cork. The lighting is led tube lights set into a triangular pattern and hung from the steel ceiling grid. The retail concept attempts to create the most with the least, speaking to the technical innovation inherent in the product without speaking over it while ensuring a flexible and maleable space for that adjusts with changing stories and product assortments.
IMC Trading
The Dutch-owned trading firm’s North American headquarters expansion in Chicago embodies the company’s brand and culture with an innovative design that fosters collaboration and celebrates its 30-year legacy. The space connects four floors through a dynamic series of open stairs, creating a vibrant central hub. The heart of the design features a bustling Café, two barista areas, a catering space, and an adjacent gaming room, forming a social core where employees can gather, relax, and connect. These elements make the space an ideal venue for staff gatherings and philanthropic events, enhancing the sense of community within the firm. IMC’s branding is thoughtfully integrated throughout, highlighting the company’s history, core business, and market successes. This cohesive narrative reflects the firm’s identity and dynamic presence. The multi-functional social spaces, including the Café, barista stations, and gaming room, are more than amenities—they are key contributors to the company’s culture, fostering spontaneous interactions and a sense of belonging. The design blends the firm’s heritage with modern workplace needs, creating a space that symbolizes connectedness and supports employee engagement. This headquarters expansion sets a benchmark in corporate workplace design, offering a purpose-driven environment that inspires and connects employees, making it deserving of recognition.
Mansueto Office
The iconic Wrigley Building houses the new Mansueto Office, with a breathtaking view of the river and the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. With approximately 3,200 square feet to plan, the space needed to be flexible and functional with feeling of openness and flexibility to accommodate growth. The plan is divided into two distinct zones by a centrally located glazed conference room, providing a built-in banquette along the north wall and a primary worktable and casual conferencing zone on the south and west elevations. To keep the feel of openness, perimeter windows are open to circulation and support space was kept to minimum, with a small, efficient pantry at the back of the conference area and small internal support and focus rooms for quiet time and privacy if needed. Ceiling height was maximized by keeping the deck open with plastered-over clay tile for a smooth texture and the infrastructure elements painted out. Exposed ceiling elements were carefully coordinated to achieve a clean and orderly appearance. As a uniting design element, the team incorporated an understated and warm Japanese Ash veneer feature wall in which all the support spaces were built, with glass portholes offering a peek into some of the rooms. At a request of the client, the team kept and refurbished the original wood flooring to be reminiscent of the history of the building. Seating zones are delineated by woven wool area rugs. A built-in fireplace facing the work area became an accent piece to further emphasize the warmth and natural feel of the office. Integration of a simple and understated design, use of natural materials and textures and light palette with contrasting accents were the overarching goal for the space.
Northtown Affordable Housing and Public Library
The new Northtown Branch of the Chicago Public Library represents a new urban typology, co-locating affordable senior housing with a community library to encourage life-long learning, collaboration, and exploration. Modular housing units wind above from the west to the east, enlivening the typical residential corridor while creating roof gardens that acknowledge the public park to the east and the quiet residential neighborhood to the west. Double height glazed lobbies connect the library to the senior housing, inspiring community interaction between the inside and outside, the public and private. The library is anchored at both ends with vibrant community spaces, one showcasing teens and technology, while a community room and lobby at the opposite end will house an artist-in-residence, and be available to the community after regular library hours. Creating one large open space for visual connection throughout also meant creating intuitive identities and zones for patrons. Shaping of the stacks and the lighting above helps create paths and destinations visible across the space.
Northwestern Ryan/Walter Athletics Center
This project was spawned by Northwestern University’s goal of better integrating their student-athletes into the community of the academic campus by moving much of its practice and academic support facilities from its previous remote location to the northern end of its campus. The 40,000 sm athletic center provides training and indoor practice facilities for the athletic department, as well as supports the University’s recreation needs by layering on to its existing facility. Given the opportunities of the site, with its adjacency to Lake Michigan and visible connections to both the University’s central campus and to the Chicago skyline, the goal was to maximize transparency and strengthen these connections while invigorating the student-athlete experience. Building functions are organized, both vertically and horizontally, to provide lake exposure to every space that could take advantage of it; from recruiting spaces to administrative offices to the spaces that the student-athletes will use most often. Formal entries at opposite sides of the building provide a public access to the north, for Fieldhouse events, and a secured athletic entry to the southern campus side, for athletes, coaches and athletic administrators. The fieldhouse is raised to the second level to allow an existing popular lakefront pathway to continue underneath its cantilevered northeast corner within the site limits. A sculptural 150m precast concrete coastal wall was calibrated and constructed to protect the building and the pathway from the waves and ice of Lake Michigan. The fieldhouse dome maximizes the interior volume for the critical sport clearances, while responding to local zoning requirements on height – measured to the mean of the peak and the perimeter. Built-up steel plate arches span 80m to support the roof, from which a 120m long, 13m tall curtain wall is hung by tension rods. This custom façade delivers mullion-free panoramic views to the lake and adjacent beach and captures the natural light from the north. Branding is a key element throughout, telling the storied history of Northwestern athletics. In the main athletic entry lobby, a three-story LED screen cycles through high-impact motion visuals of a student-athlete in action showcasing each of the program’s 19 sports. A ceremonial ‘All-sports Corridor’ features dynamic student-athlete graphics from each sport bringing them together in one place in the building- a high traffic corridor – for all to experience. The Center is home to over 500 student-athletes. Spaces shared by all team sports, such as the dining hall, academic services suite, were placed in prominent, easily accessible locations to strengthen the community of the athletes.
Skender Construction Chicago office
Skender Construction’s new headquarters reflects their continued growth, maturity, and expression of their business and social culture. The resulting office space is of its context in the industrial-charged neighborhood of the West Loop, positioned within a repurposed parking garage. Upon entry, a steel framed ceiling/lighting element draws you into the large flexible central café hub space that supports multiple daily functions. Adjacent to the café hub are 3 large flexible phase rooms, unfolding to create a large internal meeting and social space. The open plan includes sit-stand desks lining the perimeter allowing all-day access to natural light. The open plan also provides a variety of meeting spaces to support choice of how and where to work. Throughout the space, the brand message integrates within the architecture. From the face wall (expressing the vibrant culture of their office) to the lean coffee wall (that allows their employees to express their creative freedom) the message is always about their people. The Skender persona expounds through the materials holding up a mirror to the everyday, tangible resources construction teams come into contact with such as exposed ceilings/floors, gabion wall, and exposed column capitals representing the framework of construction projects.
Almoosa Specialist Hospital
Almoosa Specialist Hospital was founded in 1996 through the determination of a father seeking medical care for his young daughter, Sarah. Rather than accept local doctor recommendations to treat a leg tumor with amputation, he and Sarah travelled overseas to Boston where surgeons removed the tumor and saved her leg. Almoosa Specialist Hospital is motivated to give the same world-class care to the Al Ahsa region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the hospital is a beacon of hope. The community of Al Ahsa lives in eastern Saudi Arabia within the largest oasis in the world. Rooted in the harsh desert landscape, Almoosa Specialist Hospital is an oasis unto itself, a place of community and healing. The new 17-story North Tower is the tallest hospital in Saudi Arabia. Inspired by the local Sidra tree, the tower’s design expresses the tree’s legacy of healing and community protection. For centuries, the Sidra tree has served as a desert town square, hosting community gatherings large and small beneath its canopy’s shade. Fruits and flowers of the tree provide the community with sustenance and its leaves are known for their healing properties. Sweeping curves of the project’s design reference the Sidra tree and interior architecture supports healing through biophilic design. Like the canopy of the Sidra tree, design features offer protection and beauty. Visitors enter beneath a canopy of dappled light into an atrium veiled by wood louvers and petrified moss. Through the multi-story screen, visitors glimpse a gracious lobby and café, retail, and event spaces that extend a welcoming invitation to the entire community. Dimensional wood panels found on information desks and the elevator core are a stylized interpretation of the Sidra trunk, creating memorable landmarks for wayfinding. Pathways through the public realm are intended to meander against soft edges and around intimate moments of pause. Handblown glass “branches” reach across the atrium ceiling, stemming from a central fluted column. The tree-like form creates a magical atmosphere to comfort patients and family members who have arrived to heal or visit with loved ones. Thoughtful sensory design within waiting lounges creates a sense of calm, organized with small-scale groupings and screened areas, sound absorptive materials, the biophilic qualities of organic patterns in carpeting and textiles, murals of natural landscapes, and layers of light. Some floors offer outdoor terraces with panoramic vistas of the Al Ahsa, allowing visitors and caregivers to enjoy cool breezes from a sky garden oasis. Natural materials support a healing atmosphere both in appearance and practice. A natural material palette of wood, glass, stone, metal, and other materials derived or inspired from nature defies common practice of using synthetic materials in healthcare environments. Rubber flooring in clinical and patient spaces offers acoustical and underfoot comfort. Wood casework and comfortable furnishings make patient rooms feel like home. A Sidra leaf, etched onto the glass headwall, is a nod to the legacy of healing care.
Art Institute of Chicago Building
Building in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Exelon Pavilions
Four buildings that generate electricity from solar energy and provide access to underground parking in Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Rarely can an organization say that their building is the first of its kind. More often than not, new facilities draw inspiration from what has been done and not what is unknown. The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) is an exceptional example of a hospital that is redefining innovation, because it was designed to make a transformative difference in the way care and research coexist. It is reshaping the future of rehabilitation and revitalizing how discoveries are applied to advance human ability. The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the #1 destination for adults and children with the most complex and severe conditions – from brain and spinal cord injuries to stroke, cancer, and amputation. The 1.2-million-square-foot facility is the first-ever translational research hospital in which clinicians, innovators, scientists and technologists work together in shared spaces, surrounding patients, while discovering new advancements and applying (or translating) research in real-time. This unprecedented approach means that patients have 24/7 access to the brightest minds and latest discoveries, as well as the best opportunity for rehabilitation and recovery. Concepts integral to translational health drove planning and design. Here, research doesn’t just coexist with care; it is fully integrated into the clinical environment, engaging patients in the process. Technology, likewise, is embedded throughout the building. Clinicians and researchers measure every aspect of patients’ activities to mine data that will improve outcomes faster and enable these professionals to come upon and share new insights in real-time. Every inch of the building is care; every inch is research. ABILITY LABS The ability labs combine clinical care and research in a shared space to shorten the feedback loop, driving the discovery of new solutions to advance human ability. There are five of these applied research and therapeutic spaces, and each has a unique configuration based on a targeted function and the type of research taking place therein: Think + Speak Lab, Legs + Walking Lab, Arms + Hands Lab, Strength + Endurance Lab, and Pediatric Lab. The ability labs provide for active and visible “front stage” patient work with clinicians and researchers as well as private “back stage” space for analysis and planning. The Design Team prioritized concepts that would support a culture of hope, optimism and achievement, which were then incorporated into the designs of furniture and therapy equipment to bring the Client’s vision to fruition. USER EXPERIENCE Patients begin their transformational experience the moment they set foot in the lively and welcoming entrance at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Connecting patient elevators to the 10th Floor Sky Lobby is a suspended installation commissioned from artist Pae White, titled “Mistral”, that reinforces movement, transformation and the power of hope. Thoughtful spatial design converges with bold, motivational environmental graphics to support the hospital’s brand. Color climbs to a crescendo in the ability labs, differentiated by specialty and their respective graphics. Almost every environment – from gardens and public spaces to corridors and patient rooms – was designed to enhance therapy and encourage recovery. Design elements throughout the hospital play a vital role in patients’ therapy and recovery. For example, because patients are often lying on their backs, ceilings became a significant design opportunity. Curved walls allow for more natural and “frictionless” movement, especially for people with physical impairments. Access to natural light is maximized. The east and west corridors are punctuated by vistas with expressive graphics and offer spectacular views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. With an average stay of 24 days, the inpatient rooms were designed with care and comfort in mind. Visual access to restrooms and support facilities, along with sweeping views of the city, are oriented to encourage patients’ movement and progress. SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab worked with the design and construction teams to implement sustainability solutions, beginning with redeveloping a brownfield in a dense, urban neighborhood that is well-served by public transportation and easily accessed by both bicycles and motor vehicles. The building is equipped with energy-efficient air handling equipment, energy-saving lighting systems, and water-saving plumbing fixtures. Features such as façades that outperform energy code guidelines by minimizing air infiltration and low VOC furnishings help ensure a healthy building for employees, patients and visitors. In addition, the Design Team utilized a hybrid roofing system, fusing cool and green roof elements, for heat and moisture control. Extensive landscaping at the street level and throughout the upper floors provide garden access. These features not only promote patients in their rehabilitation but also have practical benefits, such as heat absorption on the roof and diversion of rainwater from entering city sewers. Sustainable construction practices also contributed to the success of the project. Little waste was created due to extensive recycling.
O'Hare International Airport
Airport in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
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Open in Atlas MapFrequently Asked Questions
How long does the Chicago architecture walking tour take?+
The self-guided walking tour covers approximately 56.9 km with 9 stops. Allow approximately 16 hours including 20 minutes of viewing time per building.
Is the Chicago architecture tour free?+
Yes, this is a completely free self-guided walking tour. You can view the route on the interactive map, export it to Google Maps for navigation, and explore at your own pace.
Do I need to book the Chicago architecture tour in advance?+
No booking is required — this is a self-guided tour that you can start at any time. All buildings can be viewed from the outside. For guided tours with expert commentary, we recommend checking GetYourGuide for local architecture tours.
What is the best time to do the Chicago architecture walking tour?+
Morning light (before 11am) is ideal for photography of building facades. Weekdays tend to be less crowded around commercial buildings. Allow a full half day for the complete tour.