The 606 park and trail system connects people from a variety of communities, neighborhoods and wards across northwest Chicago. Buildings within a five minute walk of the trail in each of these areas are primarily residential, but also support a mix of art, education and other community-related activities. Given the success of the 606 and the inherent value of community to establishing place, we propose that connecting these entities will strengthen and advance them. More specifically, we seek to develop an architectural precedent that explores this connection between the arts, education and public infrastructure.
The Kimball Arts Center is uniquely situated to connect with the 606 park & trail system. A variety of small businesses and artists currently occupy the building, several of which offer performance-based activities, education and recreation. Making a physical connection between the activities taking place in the building with the adjacent trail and access point would serve to reinforce a sense of arts and community within and across neighborhoods. RANGE’s office is also located at the Kimball Arts Center and as a member and the Kimball Arts Center community we are interested in developing ideas as to how this may be realized.
Engaging a variety of stakeholders is an important aspect in the development of the project. The building owner has expressed interest in enhancing the presence of the Kimball Arts Center within the context of the surrounding neighborhood and the 606. This includes an effort on his part to share preliminary design ideas developed by RANGE with the Alderman and other community stakeholders. Depending on how the project scope evolves, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, The Trust for Public Land and Friends of the Bloomingdale are also potential stakeholders given their partnership in the development of the 606.
As active users of the building and its spaces, the tenants of the Kimball Arts Center may also be viewed as stakeholders. At this time, the building is host to an array of tenants including photographers, designers, illustrators, dancers, archers, retailers, a tattooer, a bookseller, puppeteers, and a theatrical, rock ‘n roll marching band. In light of this extraordinary diversity, we believe there is a latent potential to build a connection - physical or otherwise - between the Kimball Arts Center and the 606. This connection will serve to establish the area as a strong arts community.
Year: 2016, Unbuilt
Scale: 20,000sf
Location: Chicago, IL
Type: Art Space
The Kimball Arts Center is uniquely situated to connect with the 606 park & trail system. A variety of small businesses and artists currently occupy the building, several of which offer performance-based activities, education and recreation. Making a physical connection between the activities taking place in the building with the adjacent trail and access point would serve to reinforce a sense of arts and community within and across neighborhoods. RANGE’s office is also located at the Kimball Arts Center and as a member and the Kimball Arts Center community we are interested in developing ideas as to how this may be realized.
Engaging a variety of stakeholders is an important aspect in the development of the project. The building owner has expressed interest in enhancing the presence of the Kimball Arts Center within the context of the surrounding neighborhood and the 606. This includes an effort on his part to share preliminary design ideas developed by RANGE with the Alderman and other community stakeholders. Depending on how the project scope evolves, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, The Trust for Public Land and Friends of the Bloomingdale are also potential stakeholders given their partnership in the development of the 606.
As active users of the building and its spaces, the tenants of the Kimball Arts Center may also be viewed as stakeholders. At this time, the building is host to an array of tenants including photographers, designers, illustrators, dancers, archers, retailers, a tattooer, a bookseller, puppeteers, and a theatrical, rock ‘n roll marching band. In light of this extraordinary diversity, we believe there is a latent potential to build a connection - physical or otherwise - between the Kimball Arts Center and the 606. This connection will serve to establish the area as a strong arts community.
Year: 2016, Unbuilt
Scale: 20,000sf
Location: Chicago, IL
Type: Art Space