WMS Boathouse at Clark Park - studiogang.com
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Studio Gang Architects WMS Boathouse at Clark Park Downloaded from https://studiogang.com/project/wms-boathouse-at-clark-park Page 1 of 5 WMS Boathouse at Clark Park Location Chicago, IL Status Built 2013 Client Chicago Park District Type Civic, Office Size 22,600 sf Sustainability LEED Silver Tags Terrestrial, Rivers, Rhythm, Civic Gathering As the City of Chicago works to transform the long-polluted and neglected Chicago River into its next recreational frontier, Studio Gang’s WMS Boathouse at Clark Park helps catalyze necessary momentum. By creating a key public access point along the river’s edge, it supports the larger movement toward an ecological and recreational revival of the Chicago River. The design of the boathouse translates the motion and rhythm of rowing into a sculptural roof form, providing visual interest while also offering spatial and environmental advantages that allow the boathouse to adapt to Chicago’s distinctive seasonal changes. With structural truss shapes alternating between an inverted “V” and an “M,” the roof achieves a rhythmic modulation that lets in southern light through the building’s upper clerestory. In summer, the clerestory lets in fresh air, while in winter, it allows sunlight to warm the floor slab, minimizing energy use throughout the year. Youth rowing clubs, including the Chicago Training Center and Lincoln Park Juniors, brave the Chicago River nearly year-round to train competitive teams, build self-esteem and leadership skills, and advance their participants’ educational and life goals. In addition to highlighting the need for the continued revitalization of the river, the boathouse allows for the expansion of these programs and extends their opportunities to youth across the city.
Transcript of WMS Boathouse at Clark Park - studiogang.com
Studio Gang Architects WMS Boathouse at Clark ParkDownloaded from https://studiogang.com/project/wms-boathouse-at-clark-park
Page 1 of 5
WMS Boathouse at ClarkPark
LocationChicago, IL
StatusBuilt 2013
ClientChicago Park District
TypeCivic, Office
Size22,600 sf
SustainabilityLEED Silver
TagsTerrestrial, Rivers,Rhythm, Civic Gathering
As the City of Chicago works to transformthe long-polluted and neglected ChicagoRiver into its next recreational frontier,Studio Gang’s WMS Boathouse at ClarkPark helps catalyze necessarymomentum.
By creating a key public access point alongthe river’s edge, it supports the largermovement toward an ecological andrecreational revival of the Chicago River.
The design of the boathouse translates the motion andrhythm of rowing into a sculptural roof form, providingvisual interest while also offering spatial andenvironmental advantages that allow the boathouse toadapt to Chicago’s distinctive seasonal changes.
With structural truss shapes alternating between aninverted “V” and an “M,” the roof achieves a rhythmicmodulation that lets in southern light through thebuilding’s upper clerestory. In summer, the clerestory letsin fresh air, while in winter, it allows sunlight to warm thefloor slab, minimizing energy use throughout the year.
Youth rowing clubs, including the Chicago Training Centerand Lincoln Park Juniors, brave the Chicago River nearlyyear-round to train competitive teams, build self-esteemand leadership skills, and advance their participants’educational and life goals. In addition to highlighting theneed for the continued revitalization of the river, theboathouse allows for the expansion of these programs andextends their opportunities to youth across the city.
Studio Gang Architects WMS Boathouse at Clark ParkDownloaded from https://studiogang.com/project/wms-boathouse-at-clark-park
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Studio Gang Architects WMS Boathouse at Clark ParkDownloaded from https://studiogang.com/project/wms-boathouse-at-clark-park
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Studio Gang Architects WMS Boathouse at Clark ParkDownloaded from https://studiogang.com/project/wms-boathouse-at-clark-park
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Ecologically, the overall goal of a healthy river led thedesign team to focus on diverting stormwater from thecity’s combined sewer system, one of the largestimpediments to improved water quality. The boathouse’sroof drainage elements and site design together function asits stormwater management system, diverting 100 percentof runoff from the sewer. Green infrastructure—porousconcrete and asphalt, native plantings, gravel beds, andbioswales (rain gardens)—is used to store and filter runoffbefore slowly releasing this filtered water back into theriver. Existing habitats were maintained and strengthened
Awards
Winner, The Plan Awards, Sport & Leisure, 2017
Institute Honor Award, Architecture, American Instituteof Architects, 2016
Jury Winner, Architizer A+ Awards, 2015
Shortlist, Sport and Civic Categories, World ArchitectureFestival, 2014
Citation of Merit, Distinguished Building, DesignExcellence Awards, AIA Chicago, 2014
Studio Gang Architects WMS Boathouse at Clark ParkDownloaded from https://studiogang.com/project/wms-boathouse-at-clark-park
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with a mix of native grass, plants, and trees, and silt fabricprevented compaction and erosion during construction.These efforts serve as a model for softening the river’sedge, supporting its ongoing revitalization.
American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum, 2014
Merit Award, AZ Awards for Design Excellence, AZUREMagazine, 2014
Green Ribbon, Blue Ribbon Awards, Friends of the ChicagoRiver, 2014
Consultant Team
AECOM, waterfront civil engineer
dbHMS, MEP/FP
Matrix Engineering, structural engineer
SPACECO, Inc., civil engineer
Terry Guen Design Associates, landscape architect
