The Chicago Architecture Foundation is hosting a temporary exhibit in collaboration with the Chicago Architectural Club (CAC) to showcase the CAC’s annual Chicago Prize competition winners. This year’s competition, “On the Edge”, called for proposals to transform Chicago’s waterfront. Architects, planners, artists, and visionaries sent in ideas for a lakefront that would be mindful of both the natural environment and the recreational/economic opportunities that Chicago’s location provides.
The idea for this year’s competition was inspired by conflicting viewpoints surrounding Lake Shore Drive. Lake Shore Drive is widely considered to be one of the most scenic urban drives in the world. On the other hand, the road creates a dramatic divide between the city and the waterfront. This divide limits pedestrian access to Chicago’s waterfront parkland.
The “On the Edge” exhibit features the competition’s winner, Kwong Von Glinow Design Office, as well as two honorable mentions. The winning entry, entitled “Grand Lattices”, envisions a Lake Shore Drive that invites pedestrians into the median between the northbound and southbound lanes. Steel frame structures allow pedestrians crossing under the street to climb up and view the city and water from elevated platforms.
The Chicago Architectural Club, founded in 1885, has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the unique urban landscape of Chicago, as well as challenging new architects and designers to keep generating exciting ideas. “On the Edge” will be on display in the first-floor atrium of the Chicago Architecture Foundation (224 S. Michigan Ave.) through August.
Additional Reading
On the Edge, Chicago Architecture Foundation
2016 Chicago Prize Winners, Chicago Architectural Club, March 2017
2016 Chicago Prize Competition: On the Edge, ArchDaily, 11/30/16