Pierscape: Redesign of Navy Pier in Chicago

Navy Pier has been an icon for Chicago, Illinois and the Midwest for decades. Municipal Pier, the Pier's original name before it was changed to Navy Pier in 1927, has had many, many uses over the decades. (Some of which range from housing soldiers during WW1 to the University of Illinois' campus.) Over the years, no matter what the Pier's use was, it's clear to see that Navy Pier has stood the test of time, and is now known for its iconic reputation throughout its rich history in Chicago. To get a better understanding of just how rich Navy Pier's history has been throughout the decades, check out the Navy Pier's website that gives you a timeline of important events.

Ships/Boats at Navy Pier

Municipal Pier (Previously Named)

Old Perspective View of Navy Pier

University of Illinois Campus Building at Navy Pier

Perspective View of Navy Pier

Sidewalk at Navy Pier

Chicago Children's Museum

You might be wondering what a tourist attraction in the heart of the Midwest has to do with green design. Well, in case you haven't heard, Navy Pier is approaching its centennial birthday in the year 2016. To celebrate this birthday of all birthdays, Navy Pier, Inc., a not-for-profit entity, developed The Centennial Vision, a re-imagined Navy Pier. With this vision, their goal is to create an atmosphere that local Chicagoans as well as tourists from all over the globe will want to become part of the new experience the Pier will have to offer.  

So how do you choose a design team to design an 85- now 115 million dollar  (from grant money and donations) redesign? Navy Pier, Inc. decided to answer this question with a ingeniousness solution- a friendly competition. The process started in September 2012 by inviting design firms from around the globe to submit their qualifications. Navy Pier Vision stated, "Navy Pier intends to select the team that best understands its objectives and would make a great partner in further exploring, developing, and refining design ideas and concepts to respond to the complex conditions at Navy Pier and to work with the Pier on implementing a vision for the Pier’s Pierscape." In simpler terms, the Pier has in recent times been described by local Chicagoans as cheap, outdated, and coined as a tacky tourist attraction. The city of Chicago's goal of the redesign is to create a hub for quality entertainment and more interactions between people and nature. Some of the interesting features the design teams included in their designs were a swimming pool that would serve as an ice skating rink in the winter and an indoor garden filled with lush, green vegetation. 

What design team was chosen to redesign Navy Pier? First, the competition had a total of fifty-two initial entries, and out of those fifty-two, five design teams were chosen as finalists. Those five final design firms were AECOM/Bjarke Ingels Group, Aedas Architects/Davis Brody Bond/Martha Schwartz Partners, James Corner Field Operations, !melk/HOK/Urban Lab, and Xavier Vendrell Studio/Grimshaw Architects. (Drum roll, please...) The selection was recently announced on March 15, 2012. Navy Pier Inc. stated that they chose James Corner Field Operations because they had an "interesting and appropriate balance between creativity and practicality; a thorough understanding of the complexity of Navy Pier; relevant experience with several successful high profile, large-scale and complex projects; and a strong sense of flexibility and collaboration."

Without further ado, here are some of James Corner Field Operation's perspectives of what they envision for Pierscape in 2016.

Pierscape Rendered Perspective View

High Hanging Green Planters inside Crystal Gardens

Pierscape Pool Area

Pierscape Skating Rink 

Pierscape's Revamped Ferris Wheel

Pierscape Water Feature

Pierscape Walkway

Pierscape Park Steps

Pierscape Walkway

Pierscape Lake Pavilion

Pierscape Rendered Perspective View

Also take a look at James Corner Field Operations Pierscape Video for a more in-depth understanding of the entire project layout and design.

In James Corner Field Operation's Design Book, the design team addresses the issue of sustainability and how their design answers this topic. Specifically they state, "the design includes but is not limited to water use and management, sustainable materials, alternative energy and long-term maintenance practices." 

So you tell me, will you be enticed to visit the innovative, sustainable-driven Pierscape?

Let me know your thoughts on Navy Pier's soon-to-be redesign!