#PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
woodhouse tinucci completes sailing center in illinois using board formed concrete
on the shoreline of lake michigan, chicago-based practice woodhouse tinucci architects has completed a sailing center for illinois’ northwestern university.
positioned at the water’s edge, the new facility is home to the school’s intercollegiate sailing team and also provides a base for its student classes.the LEED gold certified building is composed of staggered blocks — which enclose the sailing office and the boathouse — linked by a light-filled glass box that contains the entrance foyer. responding to the adjacent lake’s horizontality, the built forms are kept low to ensure that future structures can also enjoy shoreline views.
rugged concrete walls are embossed by the rough boards that made them, leaving horizontal ridges that create gentle shadow play and hint at clapboards weathering in the sun. translucent panels of deep purple, the university’s official color, are able to be folded upwards or slide sideways in order to open directly onto the beach launch area.
