CENTRAL STATION VISITORS CENTER

The Central Station Visitor’s Center houses the marketing and leasing activities for Central Station, a mixed-use development on Chicago’s Lakefront. Designed for use by clients, tenants and community groups, the center accommodates large meetings and seminars in addition to serving as the development’s operation headquarters.

The initial concept for the Visitor’s Center was that of a plane embedded in a raised disc. The plane evolved into a wedge serving as a latticed canopy as well as a skylight. Beneath the skylight is a two-story spine that facilitates vertical and horizontal circulation. At the first level, the spine acts as an interface between the office area and reception/support area. The spine at the second level connects the conference room to a roof garden. The roof garden is oriented towards Lake Michigan and Grant Park.

The Visitor’s Center is situated mid-site and is raised by a series of concentric circular terraces. Vehicular approach will be from Indiana Avenue and is intended to accentuate the dialogue between the disc and the wedge.