ultramoderne's cross-laminated timber pavilion opens in chicago

ultramoderne’s cross-laminated timber pavilion opens in chicago
photography by tom harris / © hedrich blessing

the winning pavilion of the chicago lakefront kiosk competition has opened on the shores lake michigan. the contest saw a total of 421 entries from over 40 countries, with rhode island-based studio ultramoderne selected to realize their ‘chicago horizon’ design. as well as providing shelter, the pavilion houses a food and beverage vendor, creating a new public space along the city’s waterfront.

the pavilion is located on the shores of lake michigan

influenced by two chicago prototypes — mies van der rohe’s various experiments in flatness and the eames’ explorations of scale in ‘powers of ten’ — the pavilion uses cross-laminated timber to build an expansive canopy supported by a series of slender columns. ‘the design for the kiosk became a quest to create the largest wood roof possible — to demarcate a zone of the city for all to enjoy,’ explains ultramoderne.

the kiosk houses a food and beverage vendor and provides public shelter

from ground level, the lake michigan horizon remains prevalent, forming a distinct line of symmetry. however, from the elevated viewing platform, the roof becomes a new artificial horizon, removing the foreground and emphasizing the vertical skyline above an abstract floating plane.

from the viewing platform, the roof becomes a new artificial horizon

under the large canopy, a viewing platform and a vending kiosk are enclosed within chain link fencing, subtly interrupting the otherwise open plan. a plane of programmable LED lighting is embedded within the fencing, allowing it to glow with two different color temperatures: moonlight and daylight. the two hues pulsate in dialogue with each other throughout the night.

the public kiosk overlooks the adjacent waterfront

the pavilion was realized as part of the chicago architecture biennial, which runs until january 3, 2015. see designboom’s previous coverage of the chicago lakefront kiosk competition here.

cross-laminated timber has been used to build an expansive canopy

the roof is supported by a series of slender columns

a plane of programmable LED lighting is embedded within the chain link fencing

the structure is able to glow with two different temperature hues

potential floor plan configurations
image courtesy of ultramoderne

project info:

design collaborator: brett schneider
project team: will gant, hua gao, ronak hingarh, tida osotsapa, emily yen
material supplier & fabricator: nordic structures
design engineer: brett schneider, guy nordenson and associates
engineer of record: thornton tomasetti
architect of record: animate architecture
additional design + construction support: nordic structures, rethink wood, the rhode island school of design

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.