Chicago Riverwalk 10% Design Report Volume 2

1

THE CHICAGO

RIVERWALK

5.20.2011

VOLUME 2: CONCEPT DESIGN overview

10% DESIGN REPORT

Client Chicago Department of Transportation Design Team Sasaki Associates Ross Barney Architects Alfred Benesch&Co. Infrastructure Engineering Rubinos&Mesia Delta Engineering Jacobs/Ryan Schuler Shook Conservation Design Forum Moffatt&Nichol Dynasty Group GeoServices David Solzman produced 5.20.2011

The CHICAGO RIVERWALK 10% Design Report Volume 2: Concept Design Overview INTRODUCTION

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THE RIVERWALK PLAN

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THE MARINA PLAZA

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THE COVE

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THE RIVER THEATER

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THE SWIMMING HOLE

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THE JETTY

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THE BOARDWALK

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UNDERBRIDGES

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INTRODUCTION 4

The ultimate goals of the Riverwalk project are to provide continual public access along the River, to accommodate necessary public amenities such as restrooms and drinking fountains, and to provide public utility infrastructure for future potential commercial endeavors. This vision continues the 2009 Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue underbridge connections and improvements through the Main Branch’s Arcade District, between State Street and Franklin Street, out to the Confluence, between Franklin Street and Lake Street. The Riverwalk build-out limits within the Arcade District are 20’ at the underbridges and 25’ between each bridge.

At the Confluence, Congress has approved a 50’ build-out limit. The design of the spaces along the Riverwalk shown here will provide a unique experience of the River, create a series of green places for the growing population of residents and office workers, and become part of Chicago’s rich heritage of iconic public spaces.

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THE RIVERWALK PLAN 0

40’

100’

200’

LIN

WELLS ST

NK

A FR ST

BOARDWALK

LASALLE ST

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JETTY

SWIMMING HOLE

RIVER THEATER

WACKER DRIVE

COVE

STATE ST

CLARK ST

DEARBORN ST

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MARINA PLAZA

THE MARINA PLAZA 8

The Marina Plaza is the connection between the existing formal Vietnam Veterans Memorial and its new Riverwalk additions to the west. The design accommodates a variety of uses, from a lunchtime break to enjoy a sandwich by the River’s edge, to an evening out with friends after a day of work. This urban gathering space is centered on a central hearth of fire. Integrated long and gracious seating elements line the boardwalk providing areas to sit, watch, and marvel at the water and the existing boat marina across the River. The arcade area beneath Upper Wacker and along the existing Lower Wacker roadway can accommodate a future restaurant to provide food and drink to people using this space.

The dockwall also can allow for motorized recreational craft to dock and participate in the public plaza.

STATE STREET

DEARBORN STREET

+0.5 +0.5

LIGHT POLES +1.5 RAMP

SEAT WALL

+3.0 DINING AREA +22.0

RETAIL

RETAIL

HEARTH RETAIL

RETAIL

RAMP

DINING AREA RETAIL

WACKER DRIVE 0

10’

20’

40’

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THE MARINA PLAZA 10

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THE MARINA PLAZA: Fire, Fire Art and Light Art 12

Mark Lotter, Cubatron

Branston Waterfront (top) and Water Fire, Providence (bottom)

Carabosse Fire Artist, Various Installations

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Fire and accent lighting bring warmth to the site at night

THE COVE 14

The design of the Cove accommodates the growing presence of humanpowered crafts on the Main Branch of the Chicago River. The Cove supports the current boating uses on the River, while providing a safe space for boat expansion and recreational growth opportunities. Integrated into the design are a series of amenities for kayakers including kayak launches and respite spots from rigorous river paddling. The arcade at this site has potential for a future vendor to rent kayaks, lead tours and give lessons. A paddling obstacle course and general amenities for human-powered boat recreation fill this space.

In general, the Cove mediates the transition between the River and the City by creating an intermediate zone between land and water. All programmatic features of the Cove are designed to focus the pedestrian on the observation of the River. Long and gracious seating elements offer dynamic views of the moving boaters and river activities. Motion-censored lighting features, inspired by an installation in the Charles River during Spring 2011, double as buoys and mark the transitional space between water and land.

DEARBORN STREET

CLARK STREET

+0.5 +0.5

MP

RA

MP

RA

+1.5 +3.0

WACKER DRIVE

+3.0

0

10’

20’

40’

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THE COVE 16

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THE COVE: Water Light Installations 18

MIT FAST LIGHTS exhibit, Cambridge, MA

MIT FAST LIGHTS exhibit, Cambridge, MA

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LED buoys mark the transition between water and land

THE RIVER THEATER 20

Vertical connections between Upper Wacker and the River level are necessary to ensure universal access to the Riverwalk. The design team has carefully considered a system of ramps to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. This has been especially challenging considering the limitation of the build-out. The River Theater will make the City part of the River and the Riverwalk part of the City. The entire block will be one visual, metaphorical, and literal connection between the upper level of the City and the lower level of the River. A gently sloped ramp will provide the physical connection between the two. Oversized “stairs” primarily will serve as places for plantings and seating from which to people-watch, observe the life of the River, and enjoy special events presented on floating barges. The “stairs” will continue all the way down to water level.

CLARK STREET

LA SALLE STREET

+0.5

+0.5 WATER TAXI

RAMP

STAIRS

PLANTING WALL

SEAT WALL

+22.0

+22.0

WACKER DRIVE

0

10’

20’

40’

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THE RIVER THEATER 22

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THE RIVER THEATER 24

La Defense, Paris

Robson Square, Vancouver (top) / The New Bullring, Birmingham (bottom)

Lincoln Center, NYC (top) / La Defense, Paris (bottom)

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Lighting along stairs creates vibrant spaces during evening performances

THE SWIMMING HOLE 26

The Swimming Hole moves the overall Riverwalk closer to the River.

Here, instead of observing the water, water is integrated into the overall boardwalk design forming a space of interaction. The children’s fountain, the prominent feature in this sunniest of bays, creates a space for children to play, feel water on their faces, run through mist and spray, and cool down in the summer heat. The fountain is formed by a series of long and gracious stairs that function as seating elements for accompanying parents and pedestrians looking for a place to relax in the sun. As this particular section of the arcade district benefits from the most sunlight, an urban sundeck is provided adjacent to the fountain accommodating resting parents and Riverwalk users.

WELLS STREET

LASALLE STREET

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+0.5 +0.5

+1.5

+22.0

SUN DECK

+3.0

RAMP

FOUNTAIN +3.0

FOUNTAIN CONTROL

WACKER DRIVE

CHANGING ROOMS

0

10’

20’

40’

THE SWIMMING HOLE 28

VIEW 29

THE SWIMMING HOLE: Fountain Lighting 30

Konig Heinrich, Duisburg, Germany

Lincoln Center, New York

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Fountain and accent lighting enliven the space at night.

THE JETTY 32

The Jetty design was inspired by the current Friends of the River Fish Hotel, which originally was installed in the River at Michigan Avenue and now is located near the Dearborn Bridge. The Jetty bay greatly expands the Fish Hotel concept of providing food, shelter and protection to a variety of fish and other aquatic species into an extensive series of floating wetlands and water gardens. Boardwalk spaces intertwine with the constructed fish habitat, and provide places for pedestrians to observe, fish and learn from the naturalized river habitat. The goal is to provide a permanent space for ecological experimentation and educational observation along urban rivers. The Jetty landscape will be an extraordinary educational platform for local school groups to observe and understand the ecological cycles of habitat, vegetation, and water quality. As the water gardens grow and thrive, the River water will be cleaner and richer with aquatic life.

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+0.5

FLOATING GARDENS

FR K AN

+22.0

FISHING PIERS

0.5

RAMP

RAMP

-1.0 FLOATING PATH

3.0

LIN

+5.0

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ST

5.0

WACKER DRIVE 0

10’

20’

40’

THE JETTY 34

VIEW 35

THE JETTY: Subaquatic Ecology PRACTICES EXPANDED IN THE JETTY LANDSCAPE

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KNOTWEED

CURRENT CHICAGO PRACTICES

ED UC A

COCONUT FIBER

2 FISH HOTEL GOALS: SHELTER, BEAUTY, FOOD, PROTECTION FIELDTRIPS

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N O I T

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FISHING PLACES

1

+

EC O

GY LO

3 FISHING

WETLANDS

FISH HOTEL

PLANT FISH HABITAT

FISH ARE STOCKED

BLUNT SPIKE RUSH

SAGO PONDWEED

SCHOOL GROUPS

2 FLOATING WETLAND / HABITAT

1 FISH STOCKING

+

N TIO EA CR RE

LAGOONS AND CHANNELS CURRENTLY STOCKED BY IDNR EXAMPLE: 12,500+ CHANNEL FISH / 56,000+ BLUEGILL PIER FISHING

ATTRACT FISH

STOCK FISH

FLOATING WETLANDS

FISHING

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2 1

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THE BOARDWALK 38

The Boardwalk is the western anchor of the Riverwalk and differs from the other blocks in three ways: the breadth of views, the amount of sunlight, and the depth of space. The western portion of this segment is a lawn that slopes towards the River, a perfect spot for meditation, looking at the view, or sunbathing. Downtown residents, as well as workers in nearby offices, certainly will use this space.

The Boardwalk’s namesake feature is a block-long, ramping bridge that connects Upper Wacker Drive with the Riverwalk. The eastern third of the bridge is suspended over geometrically-shaped floating gardens which become visually interesting both in growing and dormant parts of the year.

The Boardwalk will provide a convenient, attractive, and restful alternative for commuters and visitors traveling between Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive, the West Loop, and train stations.

+0.5

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P

AM

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+22.0

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AC

V RI

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10’

20’

40’

THE BOARDWALK 40

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THE BOARDWALK: Structural Icons 42

The Olstgracht Bridge, Almere, The Netherlands

Samuelde Champlain, Quebec (top) Louisville Waterfront Park, Louisville, KY (middle) Malmo Waterfront (Bottom)

Bridge, Jerusalem (Bottom)

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Boardwalk crossing over wetland landscape

THE UNDERBRIDGES

The new Riverwalk passes under the bridges of the Main Branch to offer pedestrians a continuous experience of Chicago’s riverfront and architecture from a unique vantage point along the south edge of the River. Beneath the low underside of the bridges, new underbridge canopies will protect passerbys from overhead debris. Following the shape of the bascule bridges, their form creates a natural reflector that catches light from the water. Where they can be reached and touched, metal tiles are sanded for protection and easy repair. Up high and away from vandals, tiles are polished, affording a much photographed reflection of the water and passing boats. The new Riverwalk railing was designed to provide a transparent blurring of the edge between pedestrians and the water.

The railings will cantilever such that, at edge of the Riverwalk, the water appears to lap under the path.

DEARBORN STREET

CLARK STREET

+0.5 +0.5

+0.5

+0.5

0

WACKER DRIVE

10’

WACKER DRIVE

20’

40’

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