Eco-Bridge
Chicago, Illinois
Architect: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Adrian Smith, Design Partner
Gordon Gill, Design Partner
Robert Forest, Management Partner
| Project Team: |
Alejandro Stochetti, Annie Buckman, Brendan Gibbons, Les Ventsch |
Photography: © istockphoto |
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The proposed Chicago ‘Eco-Bridge’
completes the last major recommendation of the 1909
Burnham Plan of Chicago in a thoroughly modern way that
celebrates Chicago’s future as well as its past.
The 2-mile bridge, a breakwater in the Monroe harbor,
celebrates Chicago’s position as the ‘Greenest City’ in
the US. The bridge creates a grand new civic space for the
city, providing recreational opportunities and offering
unparalleled views of the skyline from a central
observation tower. The incorporation of wind turbines in
the project adds economic value through the production of
energy and prominently showcases Chicago’s dedication to
sustainability.
The project was also intended to enhance Chicago’s bid to
host the 2016 Olympic Games. The observation tower is a
prominent and central place to house the Olympic flame.
The breakwater provides ample space for rowing and sailing
events in calm water and could offer terrific viewer
access for these events.
The ecological and educational advantages of the project
are plentiful. The bridge showcase the ecology of the
Great Lakes and provide a haven for fish and water plants.
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