In an increasingly dense city like Chicago, views from a new tower must be negotiated between existing buildings.

This project; the Aqua tower by Studio Gang, 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 outdoor terraces that gradually change in plan over the length of the tower which offer a strong connection to the outdoors, and allow inhabitants to occupy the building façade and city simultaneously.

The result is a highly sculptural building that when viewed obliquely, transforms into a slender rectangle from further away. Its powerful form suggests the limestone outcroppings and geologic forces that shaped the great lakes region. Totalling over 1.9 million square feet, the 82-storey mixed-use high-rise includes a hotel, apartments, condominiums, parking and offices.

“Aqua Tower was shaped by an organic, site-specific design process. Rather than starting out with the goal of creating an icon, we let the climate and views shape the building, weaving it into its surroundings and treating the building and its environment as interconnected not separate. Even though it may appear to be formally expressive, it is equal parts data and imagination.” says Jeanne Gang, who was the principal architect on the design team.

Have a click on the link below for more projects by the studio; and in slightly related news we'd like to mention that the Gang's website is the first to feature music which we actually like...