Along Chicago’s riverfront, history and modern life meet in a continuous flow of movement, memory, and renewal

Architecture and Urbanism

Sep 2024

Individual work

A two-month design located in the South Loop of downtown Chicago, right along the river. The site contains a historic power plant that survived the Great Chicago Fire, which became the central inspiration for the design. To honor and celebrate this landmark, a pathway was created that gently hugs the existing structure, guiding visitors through the restored building and connecting them to a library and museum where they can learn about its history before experiencing it firsthand. To support the live–work program, a mid-rise residential building was introduced on the downtown-facing side of the site.

While the housing offers private access for residents, the overall master plan remains semi-public, inviting people to move through the site, engage with history, and reconnect with the riverfront. The result is an exploration of how preservation, urban life, and contemporary housing can coexist in dialogue with one another.