Apartments Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Marina City, Chicago

Marina City is a complex of two 60-story buildings built by Bertrand Goldberg in 1964 who was a student of Mies van der Rohe. The complex has apartments, recreation facilities, offices, banks, offices, a theater ... and the House of Blues nearby. The experimental complex was financed by unions who feared in the early sixties that people leaving the cities for the suburbs would lead to a decrease in jobs. Marina City, which is right on the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, offers everything that a small village or town could offer in a small space, even its own marina and access to the river and thus, Lake Michigan.

The complex was at that time the biggest built in concrete and its shape was in contrast to the contemporary architectural concepts of straight lines and cubical apartments. The cylindrical shape was used to have less wind pressure and reinforced concrete was used as this is the only material in which petal shaped apartments could be created.

If you are old enough to have seen The Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, this building figured prominently in that movie.

mbasil, mvanderrohe has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kensimage (8543) 2006-03-18 12:02

A very creative way to depict these, Ken. They really make a nice abstract pattern, much more interesting when you put it on a diagonal. Nice light, too--no glare. Well done, regards, Ken.

mbasil (2117) 2006-03-18 12:15

I have frequently noticed these buildings when I'm in Chicago (by the river). This is a very interesting angle that conveys the architecture. Good job!
Mike
P.S. It was also used in the Bob Newhart Show. "Hi Bob!"

Polonaise (5638) 2006-03-18 13:21

a.k.a. Corn Cob Towers.
Yet, your POV is absolutely great.
And those details on some of the balconies - take us even closer to this architectural marvel.
Like your approach to the endless problem: How to show architecture, and WHY to show the architecture at all?
You made that problem dissapeared

George

mvanderrohe (249) 2006-03-19 13:32

Hello Ken,
Interesting details of this so particular building. I like the paradox between the repetition of these identical balconies and personalization that each one hopelessly tries to make on it. I like the angle you've chose too... Well done!

Photobones (338) 2006-03-19 19:08

Fiddlesticks... I was hoping this was the Leaning Condo of Pisa :) Great shot!

ndb1958 (9249) 2006-03-21 12:31

Hi Ken,
these buildings are of my absolutly favorits of all times. Your capture is great, a very nice detail and an unusual, but wonderful perspective.
Best wishes,
Nino

clarita (654) 2006-03-25 22:50