Studio Gang: A Chicago Innovator Preview

This afternoon we visited the Chicago office of Studio Gang, an architecture firm whose work incorporates the environment and their surroundings in interesting and unexpected ways. The building they're perhaps most famous for—the Aqua Tower, above—has curved balconies which prevent birds from flying into the windows (which is a bigger problem than you think).

We also toured Lincoln Park Zoo's South Pond with Beth Zacherle, who managed the project for Studio Gang. Despite the insanely abusive winds, we shot some video and learned about how the firm's redesign of a pond and the surrounding landscape has brought nature back to this part of Chicago—including a rogue coyote. Pictured below is the main architectural element of the new South Pond, a pavilion made of sustainably harvested Douglas fir. Expect the video in a day or two.

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