The Art Institute of Chicago

The 25,000 square-meter expansion houses collections of European contemporary art. More than just a gallery space, it unifies and completes the museum's cultural and urban campus. Located in Grant Park along the lakefront, the museum sits between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, with its site divided by railroad tracks. The original Beaux-Arts building, constructed in 1893, faces the western side of the city, serving as the museum’s historic centerpiece.

The Modern Wing, designed by RPBW, is rotated 90° to the north, creating a new entry point from Millennium Park, a hub for Chicago’s cultural events. Its lightweight, transparent vertical facade of glass and metal reflects the city’s modern skyline, while the solid limestone walls that punctuate the glass echo the architectural style of the original Art Institute building. This thoughtful design integrates the museum with its surroundings, enhancing both the cultural and physical landscape of Chicago.

The Millennium Park and the museum are seamlessly connected both physically and visually. The Nichols Bridgeway, an elegant footbridge, spans over the park, crossing Monroe Street and leading to the museum’s upper floor, where it passes through the restaurant. Inside, ceiling windows offer sweeping views of the park and city skyline, providing a stunning backdrop for the sculpture collection. The roof, often called a "flying carpet," appears to float above the building, with curved aluminum panels filtering daylight into the spaces below. Sunshades, aligned to the ideal north-south orientation, further reduce glare from the adjacent lake. Below street level, new spaces house the building’s machinery, art storage, and technical equipment.