DIVISION 4 TEAM DESIGN/BOARD
THE SPIRE CHALLENGE
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The Chicago Spire was designed to be the tallest building in North America. However after years of development, Chicago now has a seven-story hole in the ground. What can be done with this location? What are some possibilities, considering the commercial and residential neighbors, proximity to water, and cost of operating in this location? For this division, you are asked to work in groups of 2 to 4, with the goal of designing a possible solution for the Spire Hole.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER THIS DIVISION?
- 1st or 2nd year CPS architecture students, in groups of 2-4.
- 3rd year CPS architecture students, as a second project.
- Any CPS high school students not registered in an architecture course are also welcome to enter this division.
DESIGN PROCESS FOR DIVISION 4: TEAM DESIGN/BOARDS: THE SPIRE CHALLENGE
1) DEFINING THE PROBLEM
It should have been the biggest splash of the early 21st century in Chicago, but instead it was the biggest crash. With its unique design the Spire was also set to inspire Chicagoans to reach for the sky, but now area people are left wondering how to address the giant hole. How can your team add to this story and give it a happy ending? Finally, your team design does not have to be a building. For example it could be a park or public art.
2) COLLECTING INFORMATION
Chicago Architecture Foundation is providing you with research sources and a site plan to be used in this division for your reference. Your team will want to spend time reading the articles and seeing what ideas have already been proposed, before deciding on your team vision.
Think About:
- The location of the hole is close to Lake Michigan, Lakeshore Drive, The Loop, Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, and public transportation.
- Time Out Chicago has just released a story on the Spire Hole, and your teacher has a digital copy. Make sure to read it before starting to sketch ideas.
- For further research, please see Chicago Architecture Club’s 2010 “Mine The Gap” , which produced fantastic ideas from around the world (http://www.chicagoarchitecturalclub.org). Check out the work because it is important for your team to see what has already been proposed.
- A summary of the CAC by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (http://www.ctbuh.org/Events/Competitions/MinetheGap/tabid/1553/language/en-GB/Default.aspx)
- A link to a FOX news video, which covered the competition
- An LA Times article which covers Mine The Gap, and also addresses architecture competitions which “fill voids.”
- Take a look at this article on Time Out Chicago called "The whole truth"
3) BRAINSTORM & ANALYZE
- What team member will be responsible for what area of your project? You will need to define this in your final team design.
- How is this challenge different from other architecture projects?
- What idea would each team member propose if they were designing the project alone? This should give you at least a few ideas to start with.
- Before deciding on your final direction, what are some possibilities?
- What would a successful design mean for your team?
- Sketch by hand or use a software program like Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, or Revit Architecture.
- If possible, build physical models of the design to experiment. Photograph these models to document as part of your process.
4) DEVELOP SOLUTIONS
- What is the idea that best resonates with your team? Which idea generates the most interest? Why?
- Who do you think would be most excited by the solution that you are proposing?
- Create bubble diagrams of the space to determine how the site could be designed.
- How can you best communicate your design? Hand drawings? Digital renderings?
- What member of your team is best suited for each part of the project?
5) GATHER FEEDBACK
- Show your teachers and fellow classmates your ideas to see reactions.
- Are there any glaring issues that your team might have overlooked?
- Post images online and send links to friends/others for feedback.
- Do you notice any patterns in feedback you received?
- Did you find out that anyone else has proposed the same idea? Make sure it is original!
6) IMPROVE AND FINISH YOUR DESIGN
For this stage of your project, you will want to target specific elements and either redesign them completely or tweak them based on feedback. Take the time to consider any changes, and how those changes would make the project stronger.
PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Your final project must include the following components:
Your work must be entirely presented on presentation boards
Five (5) pages maximum are allowed on your team board (overlapped and centered).
If your team chooses to use more than one sheet, they must overlap on the same board. Paper size must be 18” x 24” center mounted on a black 22” x 28” mat board
Project must include one (1) site plan and at least two (2) elevation or perspective views
Team project will need a title, and should also include a description.
Final project should include preliminary sketches, to demonstrate your process.
Final project should also include summary information for each student, crediting each with specific roles within the project. Every team member is required to have a defined role within the project.
RULES
Please follow these rules when working on this Newhouse division:
No Individual projects.
No portfolios.
Physical models will be accepted, but are not required.
Each member of the team will receive a trophy if the project is awarded a prize.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The judges will be evaluating your design project on:
Originality in design solution.
Strength of design execution and graphic layout.
Accuracy of design within the site location.
Creative representation of building materials, color, texture and scale
Neatness.