Aqua Tower Chicago, Architect, Photos, High Rise Design, Location, US, Date, Picture

Aqua Tower – New Chicago Skyscraper

Key American Skyscraper Building in Illinois – design by Studio Gang Architects

post updated Dec 15, 2018 ; Feb 21, 2011

Aqua Tower Chicago Building

Design: Studio Gang Architects

Innovative US Skyscraper Building

Totaling over 1.9 million sf, Aqua Tower is an 82-story mixed-use high-rise that includes a hotel, apartments, condominiums, parking and offices.

Aqua Tower Chicago building
Aqua Tower pictures : Studio Gang Architects

Among the building’s notable features is the green roof terrace atop its plinth—which at 80,000 sf is one of Chicago’s largest—and contains an outdoor pool, running track, gardens, fire pits and yoga terrace.

A series of contours defined by outdoor terraces extends away from the face of the tower structure to provide views between neighboring buildings. The terraces inflect based on criteria such as the view, solar shading and size and type of dwelling.

Aqua Tower Chicago building Aqua Tower Chicago building

Early and close collaboration between architect and builder, as well as the use of contemporary digital tools, allowed the variation in the shape of the floor slabs to be achieved without increasing the building’s construction timetable.

Aqua ToweAqua Tower Chicago skyscraper building

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.

Aqua Tower Chicago skyscraper building Aqua Tower Chicago skyscraper building

Aqua Tower Chicago Skyscraper – Building Information

Size: 1.9 million SF
Cost: $300M, on-time and on-budget
Unique Characteristics: Designed with undulating outdoor terraces, no two floors alike
Owner: Magellan Development Group
Status: Completed 2010
Services provided by Studio Gang Architects: Design architect from concept through completion
LEED rating: targeted Silver

Previously on e-architect:

Aqua Tower Chicago

Aqua Tower Chicago skyscraper design
Aqua Tower picture : Studio Gang Architects

Address: Chicago USA

Architect: Studio Gang Architects

Completion: Summer 2009

Aqua Tower Chicago skyscraper design
skyscraper building image : David Seide

Aqua Tower – Project Description

In an increasingly dense city like Chicago, views from a new skyscraper must be negotiated between existing buildings. Aqua tower considers criteria such as views, solar shading and function to derive a vertical system of contours that gives the structure its sculptural form. Its vertical topography is defined by its outdoor terraces that gradually change in plan over the length of the tower.

Aqua Tower Chicago skyscraper design Aqua Tower Chicago skyscraper design
Aqua Tower Chicago picture : David Seide / SGA

These terraces offer a strong connection to the outdoors and allow inhabitants to occupy the building façade and city simultaneously.

Building construction photos:
Aqua Tower Chicago construction
pictures : SGA

The result is a highly sculptural skyscraper building when viewed obliquely that transforms into a slender rectangle from further away.

More construction photos:
Aqua Tower Chicago building construction Aqua Tower Chicago tower construction

Its powerful form suggests the limestone outcroppings and geologic forces that shaped the great lakes region.

Aqua Tower Chicago skyscraper construction

Aqua Tower Chicago images / information from Studio Gang Architects 080808

Aqua Tower design : Studio Gang

Location: Chicago, IL, USA

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image courtesy Studio Gang Architects

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