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Writer's pictureViola Sauer

New Skyscraper by Jahn Architecture Studio Rises in Chicago, Celebrating Helmut Jahn's Legacy

Updated: Jul 13

Architecture studio Jahn has unveiled a stunning new skyscraper in Chicago, marking one of the final projects designed by the studio's visionary founder, Helmut Jahn.

Named 1000M, this 788-foot (223 meters) tall skyscraper is prominently situated at the southern tip of the Michigan Avenue Historic District, close to the scenic Chicago lakefront. The tower ranks among the tallest residential skyscrapers in the city.

A Dual-Section Design

The skyscraper features a unique design with two distinct sections. The base, clad in large, dark aluminum panels, pays homage to the historic architecture of the surrounding buildings. Meanwhile, the upper section is set back slightly and boasts a glossier finish, seamlessly blending with the Chicago skyline.

"The deliberate change in form between the lower 19 floors and the tower above serves dual purposes," explained Jahn's managing director Philip Castillo in an interview with Dezeen. "The lower part of the building references the Historic Michigan Avenue District while the tower or skyline profile completes the towers at the south end of Grant Park, complementing the assembly of towers to the north."

Evolution from Condominiums to Rentals

Originally designed as condominiums, the plan for the tower was revised in 2020 to include rental apartments. This shift increased the number of units from 423 to 738. Castillo noted that the top of the skyscraper was also "simplified" from its original design.

Innovative Facade and Structure

The building's first eight floors extend deep into the block, with parking and amenities such as a rooftop pool located on the west side of this base structure. The developer acquired an adjacent building to secure air rights, allowing the skyscraper to have a slight slope to the south.

The facades of 1000M were carefully crafted to interact with the various city typologies it faces. "To make the tower above softer and thinner, the east and west fronts are slightly curved," explained the studio. "The hard-sloping edge of the northeast relates to the context of the city. The soft and natural corner to the southeast relates to Lake Michigan and Grant Park. The result is a rectangular plan at the lower floors that transitions to a parallelogram on the 72nd floor." A "diagonal seam" runs up the north and south faces, highlighting the tower's subtle taper.

Maximizing Views and Iconic Design

Glazed curtain walls and milled aluminum spandrels define the tower's facade, providing "omnidirectional" views for the residents. "The basic idea was to transform a largely east-west oriented site into a building with a north-south axis, maximizing views of the lakefront, Museum Campus, and Grant Park," said Castillo. "The building slopes out approximately 12 feet at the northeast and southwest corners, maximizing those opportunities and providing an iconic skyline image."

At ground level, a large structural truss is visible through the curtain wall at the entrance. Residents can also enter through a doorway located in the center of the podium structure.

Interior Elegance

The interiors, designed in collaboration with interior designer Kara Mann, range from studios to four-bedroom apartments, offering luxurious and versatile living spaces.

Celebrating Helmut Jahn's Legacy

Helmut Jahn was renowned for his architectural contributions to Chicago, including the Thompson Center, which was recently acquired by Google for renovation. In the city's Loop district, Pelli Clarke & Partners have recently completed the 57-story Salesforce Tower.#HelmutJahn


source; dezeen.com

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