Cool Building Wednesday: The UofC’s big chill(er)
(photo by Lee Bey)
It’s one of the best-looking new buildings on the University of Chicago campus–and it is designed by a world-famous architect.
But if you go to the Quadrangles, Midway Plaisance, Ellis Avenue, Woodlawn Avenue or any other place the university has stashed its better architecture over the last century, you won’t find it.
The South Campus Chiller Plant, a sleek, glass-skinned beauty, is tucked away near in the campus’ south east corner near 61st and Dorchester. Despite its out-of-the-way location, the two-year-old building designed by architect Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn architects, gets notice and architecture awards.
(photo by Lee Bey)
The 24,000 square foot plant produces steam and chilled water to heat and cool present and future buildings on the university’s expanding south campus. The facility holds five 21-ton chillers, plus boilers, pumps and related equipment. The machinery and assorted works are colored brightly and visible through transparent the metal and glass curtain wall.
(photo by Lee Bey)
Helmut Jahn and a model of the South Campus Chiller Plant (photo by Lee Bey)
There’s a nice collection of architecture forming on the south end of the University of Chicago campus. New efforts include architecture firm OWP/P’s work to breathe new life into the D’Angelo Law Library, Eero Saarinen’s long overlooked midcentury modern building. And Carol Ross Barney’s very smart-looking university parking structure and campus police station has just opened at 61st and Drexel (you can find images of it here.)
Jahn’s next major work will be a little more centrally located on the campus. His firm is doing a glass-domed addition to the Joseph Regenstein Library.
In other architecture news: Ex Skidmore Owings & Merrill managing partner Thomas Kerwin and Chicago architects Brad Lynch and David Brininstool–formerly Brininstool + Lynch–have formed a new firm, principals will announce today. The new firm, Brininstool Kerwin Lynch, plans to use Kerwin’s expertise and contacts to pursue work overseas, according to a news release. Kerwin becomes the firm’s managing principal. Kerwin, 46, resigned from SOM in late 2009 after a 23-year career there.
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01 2010
blogs.vocalo.org
Way cool building! But, isn’t its futuristic style out of place amongst all the historical buildings in Hyde Park?
@Stephanie: thanks for reading. Good question, too. This building is kind of out of the way, so it doesn’t have as a backdrop the historic buildings you mention. But if it did, my take on it: a neighborhood should be a collection of buildings from various periods and architectural styles, each speaking to (and for) the moment it was created with quality as the only context.
Lee,
I’m a new subscriber to your blog and really enjoy it. I went back and looked at most of your older posts as well…I’ll get to them all.
As for the building it is cool and one I haven’t seen in person. However I’m disappointed at the way it meets the earth. And so apparently was the Helmut or the model maker who tried to hide the base with trees. Unfortunately all of the trees didn’t make it (died or sidewalks trumped them). “We demand shrubbery”! I think the same of the future library dome, although experiencing an “outdoor” library will probably be cool. I wonder if the main floor will be at grade.?
NOW I FINALLY KNOW WHAT IT IS! I’ve passed by this building dozens of times but could never figure out what it was
@Mark, thank you and welcome!
@Sergio: We aim to educate and entertain here at Lee Bey’s Chicago.