Stanley Saitowitz Office/Natoma Architects
Architect: Stanley Saitowitz Office/Natoma Architects, San Francisco
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35TH STREET | 41st /43rd STREETS | CHICAGO RIVER | NORTH AVENUE |
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Architect's Statement
APPROACH
Chicago is the epicenter of Modern American architecture and the invention
of the skyscraper. Here in this flat landscape, the gridiron streets were
extruded vertically to become the high-rise. Here, the abandonment of
sentiment enabled form to follow function. Here the lessons of sublime
economy, less being more, were codified. These are the foundations of
our bridges.
The vertical shafts of skyscrapers become horizontal tubes which span
and link. These trussed structures connect with the economy and simplicity
of towers, forming trellised walkways which are generous spaces for public
circulation and activities. The image of these bridges is unique for Chicago,
derived from the gridded skyline which they expand horizontally.
THEME
The bridges are related thematically in the same way as the skyscrapers.
They speak a common language of form and structure, while having individual
identity of material and detail. Some are horizontal, some a grid, and
some curtain-wall. While they all speak the language of Chicago, each
is further tuned in a particular way to the conditions of its unique site.
CONTEXT
The bridge is positioned on the site continuing the existing street grid.
The angle allows views on the bridge to focus towards Lake Michigan.
The Western bridge access is located along the southern edge of Douglas
Park, and will require the narrowing of the cul-de-sac portion of 35th
Street. It provides a backdrop for the park, and allows views into the
park from the bridge ramp and stairs. The Eastern bridge access is located
at the edge of the lakefront park area, and ties into the existing paths.
ISSUES
Ramps and stairs occupy the smallest possible footprint in order to leave
the area around the bridge uncluttered. They are integrated into the bridge
to present a simple unified appearance. The end sections of the Vierendeel
truss over the ramps and stair serve a structural function of relieving
the stresses in the long middle spans, making possible the use of more
slender trusses.
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Architect's Statement
Chicago is the epicenter of Modern American architecture and the invention of the skyscraper. Here in this flat landscape, the gridiron streets were extruded vertically to become the high-rise. Here, the abandonment of sentiment enabled form to follow function. Here the lessons of sublime economy, less being more, were codified. These are the foundations of our bridges.
The vertical shafts of skyscrapers become horizontal tubes which span and link. These trussed structures connect with the economy and simplicity of towers, forming trellised walkways which are generous spaces for public circulation and activities. The image of these bridges is unique for Chicago, derived from the gridded skyline which they expand horizontally.
THEME
The bridges are related thematically in the same way as the skyscrapers.
They speak a common language of form and structure, while having individual
identity of material and detail. Some are horizontal, some a grid, and
some curtain-wall. While they all speak the language of Chicago, each
is further tuned in a particular way to the conditions of its unique site.
CONTEXT
The bridge is positioned on the site at an angle to follow the existing
street grid even though the proposed new development has chosen to defy
it. The angle allows for views on the bridge to focus out towards Lake
Michigan.
The Western bridge access is located in the proposed new park, keeping
the circular central space intact, and feeding off it. The Eastern bridge
access is located at the edge of the lakefront park area, and ties into
the existing system of pathways.
ISSUES
Ramps and stairs occupy the smallest possible footprint in order to leave
the area around the bridge uncluttered. They are integrated into the bridge
to present a simple unified appearance. The end sections of the Vierendeel
truss over the ramps and stair serve a structural function of relieving
the stresses in the long middle spans, making possible the use of more
slender trusses.
43rd Street Pedestrain Bridge Approach
Chicago is the epicenter of Modern American architecture
and the invention of the skyscraper. Here in this flat landscape, the
gridiron streets were extruded vertically to become the high-rise. Here,
the abandonment of sentiment enabled form to follow function. Here the
lessons of sublime economy, less being more, were codified. These are
the foundations of our bridges.
The vertical shafts of skyscrapers become horizontal tubes which span
and link. These trussed structures connect with the economy and simplicity
of towers, forming trellised walkways which are generous spaces for public
circulation and activities. The image of these bridges is unique for Chicago,
derived from the gridded skyline which they expand horizontally.
THEME
The bridges are related thematically in the same
way as the skyscrapers. They speak a common language of form and structure,
while having individual identity of material and detail. Some are horizontal,
some a grid, and some curtain-wall. While they all speak the language
of Chicago, each is further tuned in a particular way to the conditions
of its unique site.
CONTEXT
The bridge is positioned on the site at an angle
to follow the existing street grid. While this requires a slightly longer
span, the angle allows for views on the bridge to focus out towards Lake
Michigan and not so much on the roadway.
The Western bridge access is located in the cul-de-sac portion of 43rd
Street, and will require closing it off. The Eastern bridge access is
located at the edge of the lakefront park area, and ties into the existing
system of pathways.
ISSUES
Ramps and stairs occupy the smallest possible
footprint in order to leave the area around the bridge uncluttered. They
are integrated into the bridge to present a simple unified appearance.
The end sections of the Vierendeel truss over the ramps and stair serve
a structural function of relieving the stresses in the long middle spans,
making possible the use of more slender trusses.
 |
Architect's Statement
Chicago is the epicenter of Modern American architecture and the invention of the skyscraper. Here in this flat landscape, the gridiron streets were extruded vertically to become the high-rise. Here, the abandonment of sentiment enabled form to follow function. Here the lessons of sublime economy, less being more, were codified. These are the foundations of our bridges.
The vertical shafts of skyscrapers become horizontal tubes which span and link. These trussed structures connect with the economy and simplicity of towers, forming trellised walkways which are generous spaces for public circulation and activities. The image of these bridges is unique for Chicago, derived from the gridded skyline which they expand horizontally.
THEME
The bridges are related thematically in the same way as the skyscrapers. They speak a common language of form and structure, while having individual identity of material and detail. Some are horizontal, some a grid, and some curtain-wall. While they all speak the language of Chicago, each is further tuned in a particular way to the conditions of its unique site.
CONTEXT
The bridge is positioned on the site parallel to and directly along the
Lakeshore Drive vehicular bridge. An extension of the bridge is shown
crossing the ship channel, making a direct connection to Navy Pier.
The moveable portion of this bridge is proposed to be a Bascule bridge
to match the existing vehicular bridge.
ISSUES
Ramps and stairs occupy the smallest possible footprint in order to leave
the area around the bridge uncluttered. They are integrated into the bridge
to present a simple unified appearance. The end sections of the Vierendeel
truss over the ramps and stair serve a structural function of relieving
the stresses in the long middle spans, making possible the use of more
slender trusses.
The control room for this pedestrian bridge should ideally be integrated
into the existing control room of the vehicular bridge so that both bridges
can be controlled from the same location and operate simultaneously.
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Architect's Statement
Chicago is the epicenter of Modern American architecture and the invention of the skyscraper. Here in this flat landscape, the gridiron streets were extruded vertically to become the high-rise. Here, the abandonment of sentiment enabled form to follow function. Here the lessons of sublime economy, less being more, were codified. These are the foundations of our bridges.
The vertical shafts of skyscrapers become horizontal tubes which span and link. These trussed structures connect with the economy and simplicity of towers, forming trellised walkways which are generous spaces for public circulation and activities. The image of these bridges is unique for Chicago, derived from the gridded skyline which they expand horizontally.
THEME
The bridges are related thematically in the same way as the skyscrapers. They speak a common language of form and structure, while having individual identity of material and detail. Some are horizontal, some a grid, and some curtain-wall. While they all speak the language of Chicago, each is further tuned in a particular way to the conditions of its unique site.
CONTEXT
The bridge is positioned on the site at an angle to be a visual connection
from the zoo to the boat-shaped structure on the beach. While this requires
a longer span, the angle allows views on the bridge to focus on Lake Michigan
on the one side and the city skyline on the other.
The Western bridge access is strategically located along the existing
path from the zoo parking to the baseball fields. It is located at the
edge of the field, leaving the open area alone with very little intrusion.
The Eastern bridge access is parallel to the beach rather than perpendicular
to it, and points towards the boat house.
ISSUES
Ramps and stairs occupy the smallest possible footprint in order to leave
the area around the bridge uncluttered. They are integrated into the bridge
to present a simple unified appearance. The end sections of the Vierendeel
truss over the ramps and stair serve a structural function of relieving
the stresses in the long middle spans, making possible the use of more
slender trusses.
