Our opportunity was to design and assemble a two-level space for the
community that will include wellness spaces, a minority-owned food hall, and other amenities designed to meet the particular needs of this community and its residents by considering their voices. Our design response should be for the Assemble building, a carbon-neutral residential community in the center of the Loop, Chicago. The Assemble and its surrounding site will provide apartments for minimum wage and lower workers, new public spaces and amenities and a revitalized Pritzker Park. The project was proposed by Studio Gang for the purpose of Chicago’s 2020 C40 Reinventing Cities competition. Studio Gang designed this building with each apartment designed to feature a contemporary take on Chicago’s classic bay window, allowing for ample natural daylight and fresh air. The windows, stacked along the height of the tower, create a rhythmic articulated façade that echoes the architectural nature of the Loop’s historic buildings while using contemporary materials and technologies that enhance the building’s environmental performance. Through research and understanding the project’s context, our work should build empathy for the residents, thoughtful and sensitive design solutions, be considerate of the well-being, have a level of safety and ultimately create a joyous space.