Transit-Oriented Development

This is a design charrette that I completed after graduating college. For this exercise, I was interested in designing a hypothetical transit-oriented building who’s massing and form was informed by its surrounding context. I located my project in Chicago’s hot West Loop neighborhood, directly adjacent to the Morgan Street CTA “L” station. A series of setbacks take into account the project's surrounding context, while the building's height and unit count capitalizes on its unique location adjacent to transit. The project takes cues from the areas industrial past, while maintaining a modern aesthetic.

Site location and urban context

The project is located in Chicago's booming West Loop neighborhood, immediately adjacent to the Morgan Street CTA station.

Fulton Market Historic District

image courtesy of curbed.com

Fulton Market Historic District

The project incorporates and restores a historic nineteenth century building of contributing value to the district.

Existing site conditions

Inspiration: 205 Water Street - S9 Architecture

Image courtesy of s9architecture.com

250 Bowery - Morris Adjmi Architects

Image courtesy of ma.com

Inspiration: 11 N> Moore - Morris Adjmi Architects

Image courtesy of ma.com

Surrounding context (Historic district in dark gray)

Site

Concept 1

A series of setbacks respond to the building's immediate context.

Concept 2

The building is broken up into two parts and has a height similar to that of its immediate context.

Concept 3

The building's different facades respond directly to the heights of surrounding buildings. A unique angular shape is derived from the desire to allow additional sidewalk space along Lake Street.

Concept 4

The angular element from Concept 3 is developed further to break down the building’s Lake Street fronting façade

Final Concept

The top floor’s massing is shifted to allow for additional outdoor terrace space.

1. Contextual influences

Setbacks on the building occur at heights congruent with the existing buildings on either side of it.

2. Regulating angle

An angle is developed with the initial purpose of providing extra sidewalk space along the Lake Street edge of the property.

3. Terraces

The angle is repeated throughout the building, creating spacious terraces for a select amount of dwelling units.

4. Amenity Space

An outdoor amenity space occupies the roof of the adjacent landmark property.

A variety of program

The building is composed of a total of seven floors. The first floor includes retail and restaurant spaces, while the second floor is devoted entirely to office space. Floors three thru seven are dwelling units.

Classic materials

The building's facade is comprised of an orderly grid of aluminum steel beams and columns. Over-sized factory-sash windows allow for ample light in each dwelling unit.

Contemporary form

The building's form and materials respond to the scale and overall aesthetic of the neighborhood, while also remaining entirely unique from its surrounding context.

View from CTA elevated platform

The seventh floor steps back on all four sides to create a large terrace for each of the building's two penthouse units. Meanwhile, the building utilizes the rooftop of its adjacent restored landmark building for outdoor amenity spaces.

View from Sangamon Street

This view shows how the building steps back once it reaches the height of its northern neighbor, creating a large terrace for the adjacent dwelling unit.

Street level view

The building steps back in response to a stairway that takes up a large amount of sidewalk space.