Aqua

The Aqua Tower, one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in Chicago is located on the 200 block of North Columbus Drive. The 82-story tower- the tallest building designed by a woman, Jeanne Gang, resembles the waves of the Lake Michigan that is only a couple blocks away. The architectural and conceptual idea and deign was well planned by the architect to create visually interesting and practical skyscraper in Chicago downtown. Its unique structure cannot be unnoticed by the passerby, because it is the opposite of the typical repetitive, boxy skyscrapers that surrounds it- it has movement that is visually created by the uneven and irregular balconies. The balconies are actually the main component which from exterior view makes the building so unique. The fluidity and the curves of the balconies make the tower building a very outstanding and beautiful architectural structure. Gang’s designed balconies are breathtaking; and it is an example how concrete and steel materials can seem so soft and flexible. As viewed from different perspectives, and as a whole, the balconies create a seemingly organic shape across the towers facades unlike anything before seen in a tall building design, and yet they are carefully planned to provide solar shading, and amazing views. These unique terraces have a very sculptural appearance and differ in shape from floor to floor causing each floor plate to be different and unique. From afar, the balconies don’t have much of a skyline impact, but from a close –up view, they become a stunning presence, flowing like waves across the facade and forming organic, irregularly shaped layers.

  Sustainability was an important factor in Aqua’s design. The tower’s east-west orientation maximizes its winter solar performance, because the balconies are extended further out to provide shading, reducing sun exposure in the summer. Another very important design detail is the high performance glazing that increases energy efficiency throughout the tower. Glass on the east and south facades are reflective in areas without a protective balcony, while the glass facing west had a tinted coating that improves its shading coefficient. In total, the Aqua Tower has six different types of glass- tinted, clear, reflective, spandrel, fritted and translucent, the placement of which is determined by the orientation and function of interior space. Fritted glass is used and combined with handrail design to minimize bird strikes. According to statistics, as high as one billion wild birds are killed each year from birds flying into glass, including mirrored buildings and skyscrapers, so Jeanne Gang not only designed the economically efficient design, but also created a protection for birds. Yet another very important architectural and engineering problem that Gang was able to solve was the performance of the structure under high wind. Undulating slab edges “confused” the flow of wind around the tower, effectively reducing the wind demands, and this, combining with the effectiveness of the structural deign, eliminated the need for a supplemental damping system.

Overall, Aqua Tower is an outstanding and beautiful tower that is not only first Chicago development to combine condos, a hotel and a retail space, but also LEED certified building. Aqua has been built to minimize its impact on the environment while enhancing the lifestyle of its residents.