Monday / July 24, 2017 / 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Summer Tour East: Chicago Shakespeare Theater Expansion by AS+GG
Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL (Navy Pier)
This tour is now full. No more RSVPs will be taken.
Come tour "The Yard", the new Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture designed expansion at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The Yard introduces a new flexible theater and lobby connected to the existing Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. The tour will be led by project architects from AS+GG.
From Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture:
Consisting of approximately 35,000sf of space, the project is comprised of the adaptive reuse of the existing Skyline Stage along with a new structure connecting The Yard to the existing Shakespeare lobby.
Located adjacent to the existing theater, The Yard is artfully tucked beneath the existing signature tent structure above an existing parking garage. The new theater is fully enclosed beneath the white tent, using the existing stagehouse and backstage support spaces. The Yard will be connected to the existing facility, by a glazed two story lobby and reception space that will have magnificent views of Lake Michigan.
In order to mitigate glare and heat, the design has employed an electrochromic façade for the lobby. Designed with daylight sensors on the roof, the façade will gradually tint as sunlight passes across its southern face. Not only is this a technologically unique solution, it is highly sustainable as it will reduce heat gain and cooling needs for the project. In addition, the “theatrical” nature of the façade is akin to the raising of the curtain, as it will be primarily tinted throughout the day becoming clearer in the evenings as the sun sets and the performances begin. Override capabilities are included for the Client so that at any time, the facade can be as clear or as opaque as desired.
