greyscale proposes a floating tower to replace the never built chicago spire

the site of the chicago spire was initially planned for a 2.000 ft high tower, however, due to the financial collapse of 2008 the, construction was halted and left incomplete — all that remains is a massive hole along the lake michigan shore. among multiple other proposals on how to fill it, new york-based studio greyscale designs a cross-plan tower standing on an underground trunk.

based on the site and program, the building implements a range of structural and organizational solutions that reference the nearby iconic skyscrapers. greyscale’s tower is designed as a sectionally varied volume that maximizes natural ventilation and completes the cities skyline along the waterfront.

located above the existing cavity, the tower ‘floats’ above the site forming an inverted relationship between building and ground. a ramped parking structure integrates with the tower podium connecting to the nearby lakeshore drive overpass. the tapering double-layered glazed facade defines the outer shape of the tower while the alternating atriums create a patterned expression along the facade. these enclosed elevated rooms provide public function while utilizing passive cooling strategies for thermal insulation and open-air movement throughout the building.

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