TERRACOTA TOWERS
Community Towers in Lakeshore Drive
Fall 2022 | Chicago, Illinois
Instructor: Constance Vale
Skills: Rhino 3D, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Laser cutting, Model making
The Political Poly-Towers project reimagines Mies van der Rohe's iconic Lake Shore Drive towers, blending modernist principles with contemporary urban sensitivity. By integrating accessible public spaces, innovative facade systems, and fostering community engagement, this design transforms constrained urban life into a dynamic living experience.
CHALLENGE
Chicago's dense urban fabric presented a challenge: how to create a residential design that invites public interaction while preserving private comfort. The project needed to bridge architectural heritage with contemporary needs, ensuring accessibility, privacy, and social engagement. Balancing these elements while respecting the iconic grid structure of Mies’s towers demanded a thoughtful approach to massing, facade detailing, and programmatic organization.
CONCEPT
The design process unfolded through iterative exploration, beginning with massing models that strategically distributed public and private zones. The initial concept explored how to dissolve rigid boundaries by blending shared spaces with residential privacy. The next iteration introduced vertical gardens—green pathways climbing the facades—to soften the structure while connecting residents to nature visually.
residential common terraces and vertical garden
private residential spaces
recreational/
community spaces
public spaces
![facade diagram [Converted] [Recovered]-01.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb9fda_36ae3854ca52488a9175502203cbd92b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_1515,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/facade%20diagram%20%5BConverted%5D%20%5BRecovered%5D-01.png)
DESIGN
DESIGN
To break away from the conventional grid without sacrificing order, the facade system became a focal point. A two-layer ventilated system featuring perforated metal panels achieved this balance. The panels, designed with mirrored grid patterns inspired by Mies’s original design language, provide a layered aesthetic that shifts with light and shadow throughout the day. This system ensures privacy for residents while carefully filtering natural light to illuminate interiors. Earth-tone finishes anchor the towers within Chicago's landscape, ensuring visual harmony with the surrounding environment.
Ground-level programming encourages public engagement. A restaurant opens to a courtyard atrium, where a winding staircase leads visitors to a public park, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor experiences.
Residential programming centers on community-driven living. Shared terraces on each floor provide flexible spaces for residents to interact, along with internal voided balconies that further connect floors and enhance visual openness. wellness-focused amenities in voided spaces, including yoga studios, galleries, and rooftop gardens that offer panoramic lake views.
