woodhouse tinucci completes sailing center in illinois using board formed concrete

woodhouse tinucci completes sailing center in illinois using board formed concrete
photography by mike schwartz and andy tinucci

on the shoreline of lake michigan, chicago-based practice woodhouse tinucci architects has completed a sailing center for illinois’ northwestern university. positioned at the water’s edge, the new facility is home to the school’s intercollegiate sailing team and also provides a base for its student classes.

the building is composed of staggered concrete blocks

the LEED gold certified building is composed of staggered blocks — which enclose the sailing office and the boathouse — linked by a light-filled glass box that contains the entrance foyer. responding to the adjacent lake’s horizontality, the built forms are kept low to ensure that future structures can also enjoy shoreline views.

the boathouse opens directly onto lake michigan

rugged concrete walls are embossed by the rough boards that made them, leaving horizontal ridges that create gentle shadow play and hint at clapboards weathering in the sun. translucent panels of deep purple, the university’s official color, are able to be folded upwards or slide sideways in order to open directly onto the beach launch area.

translucent panels of deep purple are able to be folded upwards

the built forms are kept low to ensure that future structures can enjoy shoreline views

the new facility is home to the school’s intercollegiate sailing team

student classes are also based at the complex

a light-filled glass box contains the entrance foyer

external sightlines are created throughout the project’s interiors

rugged concrete walls are embossed by the rough boards that made them

project info:

client: northwestern university
status: completed 2015
area: 6,000 sqf
budget: $2,900,000 USD
project team: david woodhouse, andy tinucci, ed blumer (project architect), brian foote
enspect engineering (structural); WMA consulting engineers (MEP); hoerr schaudt landscape architects (landscape); v3 companies (civil); construction cost systems (cost); power construction (general contractor)
photography: mike schwartz; andy tinucci