Chicago Architecture Center Industry Council Cruise

The Chicago Architecture Center invited me and Amy to tag along on their Industry Council River Cruise on June 20th. Not only did we enjoy a picturesque evening on the river (isn’t it always?), but we were treated to behind-the-scenes insights from some of Chicago’s most accomplished architects.

Once we embarked from the dock, the skyline came alive with stories revealed by the architects sharing unique perspectives on their projects visible from the river.

Carol Ross Barney of Ross Barney Architects was first up. Fresh off her prestigious AIA Gold Medal win, Barney spoke about the Chicago Riverwalk. Arguably one of Chicago’s best public space for visitors and residents alike. This project took a literal act of Congress to move forward due to its impact of the Chicago River; a federally regulated waterway.

Tom Kerwin from bKL Architecture also took the stage — Offering glimpses into the design processes behind Wolf Point West and Renelle on the River.

Goettsch Partners ’ architects Joachim Schuessler and Erik Harris had three buildings to discuss; 110 N. Wacker, 150 N. Riverside, and 320 S. Canal. All three use dramatic, and pragmatic, approaches to designing the way these skyscrapers integrate with the ground. I’m paraphrasing Joachim, but he noted that Goettsch Partners’ design philosophy believes that how a building touches the ground is more important than how it touches the sky. If you’ve seen the three building I mentioned, you’d know this to be true.

At the end of our cruise, Thorsten Johann from Studio Gang closed the evening by discussing Aqua and St. Regis.

If you want to learn more about the Chicago Architecture Center’s Industry Council, check it out here: architecture.org/…ieties/industry-council. It’s a great initiative that brings together the brightest minds in architecture, fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry.

Here are a few more shots taken from aboard the Chicago’s First Lady.