Aqua Tower by Studio Gang Architects in Chicago has a beautiful vertical topographical pattern which is defined by outdoor terrace projections. These outdoor terraces gradually change from floor to floor over the height of the building that presents a sculptural appearance to the city.

+ Project description courtesy of Studio Gang Architects

Aqua Tower is an 82-story mixed-use high-rise that includes a hotel, apartments, condominiums, parking and offices totaling over 1.75 million sf. Unlike a tower in an open field, new towers in urban environments must negotiate small view corridors between existing buildings. In response to this, the Aqua Tower is designed to capture particular views that would otherwise be unattainable.

A series of contours defined by outdoor terraces extends away from the face of the structure to provide views between neighboring buildings. These outdoor terraces gradually undulate over the height of the building. Because the shape of the terraces changes from floor to floor, the building presents a sculptural appearance to the city. Shaping of the terraces is further defined and formed by criteria such as solar shading and dwelling type. The result is a high-rise tower particular to its site that allows residents to inhabit the facade of the building and the city at the same time.

Views from the tower, courtesy Studio Gang Architects

The design is the result of cumulative strategies and responses to specific conditions,
courtesy Studio Gang Architects

Facade pattern, courtesy of Studio Gang Architects,
courtesy Studio Gang Architects

All 82 slab plans overlaid show transformation over the height of the tower,
courtesy Studio Gang Architects

+ Project credits / data

Project: Aqua Tower
Location: Chicago, USA
Design Architect: STUDIO / GANG / ARCHITECTS
Architect of Record: Loewenberg Architects, LLC
Owner: Magellan Development Group, LLC
Cost: $300 M
Completion: October 2009

+ Awards:

2008 American Architecture Award

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Studio Gang Architects

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