Project Overview
An international hub for commerce, education, telecommunications, and more, Chicago is known worldwide for its bold architecture, vibrant culture, and the exciting opportunities it provides for those who live, work, or visit the city. For more than a century, the South Side Bronzeville neighborhood has been a hub for Chicago’s African-American community. But due to a lack of public and private investment, what was once a vibrant retail corridor in Bronzeville had declined and the neighborhood faced a shortage of high-quality, moderately priced housing. The 43 Green Phase 1 project is helping to address the retail and housing gaps through the construction of a mixed-use, equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD) with ground-level retail and 99 mixed-income residential units. LBBA Architects, in partnership with Dukane Precast, selected precast concrete as the primary construction material for the building because of its versatility, efficiency, sustainability, and long-term resilience.
Revitalization via Precast Concrete
Affordable housing projects can face numerous challenges, including tight budgets and short schedules. As a result, designs often fail to capture the vibrancy and excitement of the neighborhoods and communities where they are built. To circumvent these issues and provide the best possible solution for 43 Green Phase 1, LBBA chose precast concrete wall panels, beams, and slabs for the effort. According to Jennifer Stanovich, AIA, senior project architect for LBBA, the precast concrete design delivered several benefits on this project.
“The use of precast created a single source of responsibility for multiple building systems,” she said. “Construction durations were reduced because the structure and facade were completed concurrently. The efficiency achieved through the use of precast components also reduced the impact of construction on neighbors and the adjacent train line and station.”
Because precast concrete was considered early in the design phases of the work and the precast concrete team was a part of initial conversations, 43 Green Phase 1 could deploy the building material to meet a wide range of project goals. Clear spans were maximized to allow the residential units to be column free. Bearing walls were placed strategically between units to improve acoustical separation. Also, the design maximized the use of repetitive elements while customizing modules between levels to accommodate differing floor heights, allowing for the largest possible window openings.
“The design team aspired to push the limits of precast concrete to create an efficient structure that maximized the building on the site while creating as many affordable housing units as possible,” Stanovich said.
Elements of the design, including veneer brick, were selected to help complement and integrate with the neighborhood’s historic architecture. For the building’s prominent corner, the precast concrete panels were manufactured with a textured formliner and painted to achieve a striking, modern feel. Additionally, the street-level facade features unique chamfered portals, adding detail and intrigue to the streetscape. Holistically, the aesthetics of 43 Green Phase 1 signal the rebirth of Chicago’s South Side while simultaneously paying homage to Bronzeville’s past.
Leveraging precast concrete on the project helped the team achieve Enterprise Green Communities and ENERGY STAR certifications. The production of precast concrete components in a controlled factory environment led to significant waste reduction. Additionally, the thermal mass properties of the precast concrete panels will help regulate the building temperatures, reducing heating and cooling demands and supporting lower energy consumption. And because precast concrete functions as both the building’s facade and the structural system, overall material usage was reduced.
The completion of 43 Green Phase 1 on Chicago’s south side signals a renaissance for the Bronzeville community – one that activates the street, provides more accessible services to residents who currently travel outside the neighborhood for amenities, and gives the neighborhood a new place to call home.
Mason Nichols is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based writer and editor who has covered the precast concrete industry since 2013. |