The new RIC building in Chicago boasts of a, first-of-its-kind, state of the art, Ability Lab. The Ability Lab aims at bridging the gap between current research and practice, in the field of Rehabilitation and Medicine. The Ability Labs hence forms the crux of the design as it became a symbol of what RIC stands for and would be a space that was primarily used by the patients and staff through the day.
Form Evolution
• A public plaza activates the site and immediate context
• Connects three sides of RIC's entrances • Creates a place for respite and relaxation as well as a sensorial experience when walking through the plaza. • Lift from ground to activate pedestrian street level
• Generate setbacks for terraces at important public and semi-public levels within the building. • Ability labs highlighted on NE act as a unifying element with their floor plates projecting outward
• The form connects with M.O.B. to carry the expression downward |
• A public plaza activates the site and immediate context
• Connects three sides of RIC's entrances • Creates a place for respite and relaxation as well as a sensorial experience when walking through the plaza. • Terraces and Sky gardens connect major functional units, serve as nodes throughout the building (Public space)
• Levels coordinate with surrounding context • Family lounges are located on the Southwest corner - offer multipurpose function from watching sports events to informal group social events
• Created for family members and visiting friends to spend time with patients • Secondary architectural expression of the ability lab. |