SO-IL's passage installation reflects on the spatial qualities of the ramp

realized as part of the inaugural chicago architecture biennial, ‘passage’ by SO-IL has been conceived as a reflection on the spatial qualities of the ramp. ‘as a connection of horizontal planes, the ramp is inherently an ambiguous, in-between space,’ says the design team. ‘often unnoticed in daily life, the ramp presents itself as an opportunity for disruption.’ SO-IL explains the project in more detail below.

the installation hovers above two ramps at the chicago cultural center
photo by tom harris / © hedrich blessing (main image © designboom)

the experience of being on a ramp is clearly directional, up or down and its change in gradient subtly affects one’s sense of self. in response to a perceived incline and distance, our navigational sense corrects one’s movement by adjusting pace and posture. this installation endeavors to interrupt this ingrained response by heightening an awareness of one’s body in space.

the design is a reflection on the spatial qualities of the ramp
photo by tom harris / © hedrich blessing

‘passage’ consists of a series of portals that envelop the space of the ramp at the chicago cultural center and an aerial photograph of the chicago skyline —taken by iwan baan— that spans the length of the ramp. each portal is a unique form and shape. when seen from a distance, the overall structure increases the volumetric presence of the ramp. traversing through the space, the sequence of portals unfolds as individual picture frames, establishing a sense of pace and rhythm to one’s movement, and revealing glimpses of the photographed city beyond the portals. the repetition of frames slows or accelerates the perception of movement and their varied heights shift the perception of perspective.

an aerial image of the chicago skyline spans the length of the ramp
photography by iwan baan

the installation is composed of standard, off-the-shelf steel studs—an omnipresent architectural component that is seldom visible and typically beneath layers of drywall and insulation. daylight from two large, glazed openings highlights the reflective surface of the portals and the individual presence of each frame. prolonging the experience of transitioning from one state to another, the installation reimagines the everyday experience of encountering a ramp into something anew. — SO-IL

the installation has been constructed using standard, off-the-shelf steel studs
photography by iwan baan

the work is designed to heighten an awareness of one’s body in space
photography by iwan baan

daylight from two large, glazed openings highlights the reflective surface of the portals
photography by iwan baan

SO-IL’s partners: florian idenburg, jing liu and ilias papageorgiou
image © designboom

plan view

axonometric drawing

project info:

client: chicago architecture biennial
location: chicago, illinois, USA
program: installation
completed: 2015
team: florian idenburg, jing liu, ilias papageorgiou, pietro pagliaro, lucie rebeyrol, kerim miskavi, kevin lamyuktseung, molly minot hubley, danny duong

the chicago architecture biennial provides a platform for groundbreaking architectural projects and spatial experiments that demonstrate how creativity and innovation can radically transform our lived experience.

the inaugural chicago architecture biennial, north america’s largest international survey of contemporary architecture, launched in october 2015. through its constellation of exhibitions, full-scale installations, and program of events, the biennial invites the public to engage with and think about architecture in new and unexpected ways, and to take part in a global discussion about the future of the field.

the chicago architecture biennial is the vision of mayor rahm emanuel for a major international architectural event and an outcome of the comprehensive cultural plan developed by chicago’s department of cultural affairs and special events. it is presented through the support of BP, and in partnership with the city of chicago and the graham foundation for advanced studies in the fine arts.

the chicago architecture biennial remains open to the public until january 3, 2015.

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