There’s Something for Everyone
AMES R. THOMPSON CENTER // Renovation
2021 CHICAGO PRIZE: JAMES R. THOMPSON CENTER
Collaboration with Chava Danielson, Eric Haas, Tim Jordan, And Xixi Luo
-The Honorable Mention-
“ How to bring such a rich diversity of events to this site? The Thompson Center is one in a line of “strong volume” projects in a city generally focused on exterior forms and surfaces. ”
︎
“Civic” means more than government, and the Thompson Center’s
established civic role deserves to be consecrated even as governmental workers
depart. Rather than settle for generic, homogenous “public space,” so often
devoid of specificity and character, we propose to pack the Center with a host
of activities and spaces – spaces comprising a diversity of qualities
reflecting the broad cross-section of interests of the people of Chicago.
These new programs advance inclusivity. People from all walks of life feel that they belong here, can do something they like – there’s something for everyone – and the Center now truly performs as a social hub. Different cultural groups and interests have the opportunity to link to related programs: the South Side Community Art Center to a mural-driven space, or the Siskel Film Center to a cinema, or Deeply Rooted to a performance stage, as examples.
These new programs advance inclusivity. People from all walks of life feel that they belong here, can do something they like – there’s something for everyone – and the Center now truly performs as a social hub. Different cultural groups and interests have the opportunity to link to related programs: the South Side Community Art Center to a mural-driven space, or the Siskel Film Center to a cinema, or Deeply Rooted to a performance stage, as examples.