High Rise Study

High-Rise Study: Solstice

Solstice on the Park by Jeanne Gang. Chicago, IL (2018)

Solar Carving:

A concept coined by Jeanne Gang that describes a design that is shaped by sunlight.

Windows are at a 72 degree angle, which is the angle of the sun in Chicago at noon on

June 21st.

The design increases the sustainability of the building and helps reduce glare coming off the windows.

High-Rise Study: Aqua

Aqua Tower by Jeanne Gang. Chicago, IL (2010)

Balconies are used to facilitate conversation between units. Through variance in size, shape, and position, people are able to interact with many balconies, rather than just the ones beside them.

In the post- COVID-19 world, it is worth exploring alternative attempts to maintain social interaction and distancing.

The balconies also shape the way light enters the units.

Precedent Study: CCTV

CCTV Headquarters by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Sheeran. Beijing, China (2008)

The architects threw away the idea of “form follows function” and replaced it with “form follows fiction”.

They created stories of who their building occupants would be and what they would do. The design followed their movements and interactions to create a flowing ecosystem, rather than a typical hierarchical skyscraper.

The design lets 10000 people interact with one another at various levels of the building.

The form is rather circular which promotes movement between the floors rather than just across one.