studio gang explores solar carving with residential tower in chicago

standing 272 ft tall in chicago’s hyde park neighborhood is a residential tower designed by studio gang. named ‘solstice on the park’ the project explores the concept of ‘solar carving’, in other words shaping architecture to maximize sunlight in winter and minimize solar gain in summer.

image © nick fochtman (main image © tom harris)

the program of the 26-story building includes 250 residences and a green roof that provides impressive views over the surrounding park to the south and chicago’s skyline to the north. with studio gang‘s guiding design principle of solar carving for environmental advantages, the final architecture is effectively shaped by the angles of the sun.

image © nick fochtman

the design team first realized the optimum angle for the latitude of chicago, which is 72 degrees. the elevation has then been cut into using this optimum angle, maximizing sunlight in winter for passive solar warming and minimizing light and heat gain during summer to reduce air-conditioning usage. this indentation also provides apartments with a generous balcony space, allowing residents to enjoy fresh air and views of the outdoors. 

image © nick fochtman

image © tom harris

image © tom harris

image © tom harris

image © tom harris

image © tom harris

image © tom harris

image © tom harris

image © tom harris

image © tyler mallory courtesy sillim

image © tyler mallory courtesy sillim

image © tyler mallory courtesy sillim

image © tom harris

image © tom harris

1/2

 

 

project info:

project name: solstice on the park

location: chicago, the US

architect: studio gang

status: built 2018

client: mac properties

type: residential

size: 400,000 ft2 / 272 ft / 250 units

sustainability: green globes certified, two green globes