From Artifacts to Community | Architecture Thesis on Adaptive Reuse

Site Context

The Art Institute of Chicago was specifically chosen to serve as the focal point of this hypothesis. Its convenient location allowed for regular visits, essential for a thorough and intimate examination of various internal spaces. Its proximity to Grant Park and Millennium added complexity to the research as well as insights into how urban context affects architectural dynamics and the effects of changes. This urban setting enhanced the study by providing a real-world context for the analysis.

The rich history and diverse architecture of the institution provided a great chance to evaluate the thesis on a number of levels and from a variety of angles. The Art Institute’s varied architectural styles offer opportunities and challenges for addressing spatial qualities. Through iterative processes, these variations provide a unique platform for exploring and accommodating the distinctive qualities of various styles. This approach not only broadens our understanding of spatial dynamics, but it also has the potential to influence museum designs in the future, taking into account a wide range of architectural preferences.

Design Process

The initial iteration reimagined the museum spaces in an imaginative and provocative approach. It involved creating a new vision using snippets and diagrams derived from existing floor layouts. In this iteration, the museum was transformed into a multipurpose space that integrated spas and baths as well as other aspects of health and wellness. However, amidst these changes, provisions were made to retain certain areas for hosting workshops, and spaces to display art – ensuring continued engagement with the public learning realm.

Alternative methods of collecting data and information were used due to security concerns and limited access to the original drawings provided by the institute. These included visiting the gallery and photo documentation, as well as online sources and historical archives of drawings and fire escape plans. These resources helped in restoring the museum’s original structure, which served as the basis for the proposal.

The primary foundation for the 3D reconstruction of the building was derived from drawings available on Renzo Piano’s website, specifically related to their modern wing construction. These drawings served as the initial framework, upon which additional information layers were incorporated to enhance the accuracy and detail of the base model. Through this iterative process, various attempts were made to refine and improve the reconstruction, ensuring its fidelity to the original structure while integrating supplementary data to enrich the overall representation.

Final Outcome

The Art Institute’s transformation was explored in the final iteration, which envisioned it as the School of the Art Institute, with the emphasis now being on the creative process itself as the “artefact” rather than on displaying artefacts. This redesigned institution becomes a public centre that is woven into the fabric of the city rather than remaining a private enterprise. Visitors to this model actively participate in learning, teaching, and sharing their own contributions rather than just being spectators.

The foundation for the programming was established by a review of the majors that are currently offered at the institution. The spaces are designed to facilitate true interdisciplinary collaboration by weaving these majors together. This approach creates seamless overlaps of disciplines, with the intersections serving as dynamic exhibition spaces.

The axonometric diagram depicts the substantial effort made to align the existing institute with the proposed programme while preserving the unique architectural qualities of each individual space. The strategic merging of E Jackson Drive and E Monroe Street is noteworthy since it enhances public access to Millennium Park while transforming the gardens into adaptable spaces suitable for a variety of uses.

Conclusion: The final outcome of this project is not to provide a definitive solution but to provoke thought among architects and designers about the future. By considering scenarios where our beloved cultural icons must evolve, we can better prepare for a future in which museums remain relevant and continue to serve the public. This speculative approach aims to foster a forward-thinking mindset, encouraging the preservation and adaptation of cultural institutions to meet the ever-changing needs of society.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]