Aqua Tower: Mixed-use High-rise

High Density, Project, Studio Gang, Territory and mobility, Urban Paradigms

Chicago, City, City views, Collective housing, Design process, Digital design, Façade, Façade orientation, Glazed façade, High-rise, Hotel, Housing, Iconic architecture, Identity, Landmark, Mixed use, Project, Residential, Rooftop, skyline, Solar radiation, Tower, Urban Dialogue, Urban environment, USA

Photography: Steve Hall / Hedrich Blessing

Totaling over 1.9 million sf, Aqua Tower is an 82-story mixed-use high-rise that includes a hotel, apartments, condominiums, parking and offices. Unlike a tower in an open field, new towers in urban environments must negotiate small view corridors between existing buildings. In response to this, the Aqua Tower is designed to capture particular views that would otherwise be unattainable. Among the building’s notable features is the green roof terrace atop its plinth—which at 80,000 sf is one of Chicago’s largest—that contains an outdoor pool, running track, gardens, fire pits and yoga terrace.