Contemporaine

Chicago, Illinois
A Shift Toward Design-Forward Residences

When Contemporaine was designed, it represented a new type of residential high-rise in downtown Chicago. This sculptural, design-focused building is unique in that it responded to the neighborhood’s context, gently breaking down the building’s mass and suggesting that a newer architectural scale would soon be the norm among local residential buildings.

The developer, CMK, knew they wanted to challenge the status quo. They sought out Perkins&Will as their partner knowing we would deliver a groundbreaking response to their request.

The market was rapidly changing during the design process, so the team was purposefully agile throughout. The team designed the units to easily combine with one another should the market suddenly dictate larger or smaller units.

The success of Contemporaine solidified a relationship with the developer, which has resulted in further collaboration on award-winning projects in Chicago in the years since.

The client was highly interested in architecture and would frequent the Prairie Avenue Bookshop, reading and collecting an array of architecture books

In this bookstore he came across Ralph Johnson’s monograph, and was captivated. He knew he wanted Ralph to design his next project, and cold-called his contacts in the city until he reached Perkins&Will. This was the beginning of a successful relationship with CMK, which continues to this day.

What It Is
A sculptural residential haven that signified a scale shift for the neighborhood and the developer.
In response to the varying scales and uses of its neighbors, the design adopts a strategy of urban collage.
The east façade steps back dramatically to afford views of the skyline.
A series of slots with projecting balconies breaks down the mass of the tower and creates a kinetic architectural presence.
What Makes It Cool
The developer entrusted us to create a building completely outside the norm at that time.
The building was widely considered by critics at its completion to be a favorable antidote to the largely “hulking” and monolithic condominium buildings being constructed across the city at the time.

Project Team

Ralph Johnson
People
Ralph Johnson
Bryan Schabel
People
Bryan Schabel
Bill Berger
People
Bill Berger