chicago architecture biennial: a grid is a grid is a grid by JML

johnston marklee has presented an installation at the museum of contemporary art chicago, which coincides with the inaugural chicago architecture biennial. located within the institution’s onsite café, the immersive and experiential design references the predominant grid devised by the building’s original architect, josef paul kleihues. johnston marklee, who have been commissioned to create a masterplan for the museum, also used the installation to hint at their own proposed renovation of the existing structure.

the work is located within the institution’s café
all images by nathan keay / © MCA chicago

a 2 x 2 square graphic has been applied to the walls, as well as a gridded ceiling structure of aluminum box beams that cuts the double height space in half. this new overhead volume alludes to one aspect of johnston marklee’s proposed redesign of the building, where a mezzanine level could create additional space above the existing café.

the immersive design references the predominant grid devised by the building’s original architect

while the three-dimensional grid conveys a more intimate scale that may be part of the museum’s future, the graphic applied to the walls reveals the grid logic embedded in the existing architecture, and at the same time exposes the limitations and challenges that such rigorous geometries present. the exhibition is on view until january 3, 2016 and is curated by MCA chief curator michael darling.

the installation hints at the proposed renovation of the existing structure

a 2 x 2 square graphic has been applied to the walls

the gridded ceiling structure is composed of aluminum box beams

the insertion cuts the double height space in half

the 3D grid conveys a more intimate scale that may be part of the museum’s future

the graphic applied to the walls reveals the grid logic embedded in the existing architecture

the permeable overhead volume

the exhibition is on view until january 3, 2016

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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