Unusual Architecture + USA

Chicago, Illinois, Stati Uniti: [CHICAGO RIVER BOATHOUSES BY STUDIO GANG]
Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

The Clark Park Boathouse is the first of four new boathouses planned along the Chicago River.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

It will accommodate the Chicago Rowing Foundation and rowers from North Park University, along with canoe and kayak with a service of rent.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

As the City of Chicago works to transform the long-polluted and neglected Chicago River into its “next recreational frontier,” Studio Gang’s two boathouses on its north and south sides will help catalyze this movement.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

The northern building features a series of sweeping roof projections and is clad with hundreds of richly-textured slate panels.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

The design for the boathouse structures translates the time-lapse motion of rowing into an architectural roof form.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

The undulating roof is inspired by eadweard muybridge’s famous experimental photographs of the movement of rowing translated into alternating inverted ‘v’ and ‘m’ shaped structural trusses.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

Diffused south light through glazed clerestories serve to ventilate in the summer and warm the floor slab in the winter. Kayak and sculls have been appearing more and more along this stretch.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

In addition to providing visual interest, this form also offers spatial and environmental advantages.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

With structural truss shapes alternating between an inverted “V” and an “M”, the roof achieves a rhythmic modulation that allows southern light into the building’s upper clerestory.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

The clerestory glazing warms the floor slab of the structure in winter and ventilates in summer to minimize energy use year-round.

Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang
Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang
Chicago River Boathouses by Studio Gang

Location: Chicago, USA Architect: Studio Gang Architects Area: 20,000 square foot Cost: $7.4 million Year: 2013 Owner: Chicago Park District Photo: Kevin Dickert