There is a cheerful little alley with playful seating, synthetic turf and warm lighting in downtown Chicago. Its very presence, nestled between 200 and 230 W. Monroe Street, is in sharp contrast to the metal, concrete and glass of the skyscrapers towering above it.
Building owner, Accesso, purchased the two properties from separate owners and rebranded the space as Monroe Plaza to unify the complex. Accesso representatives then turned their efforts to the outdoor space between the buildings.
“It was a dark, dingy alley, populated with bicycle racks and trash cans and a popular spot for smokers,” recalls Paul Gaines, managing director Asset Management at Accesso. “We recognized the potential to transform it into an inviting public space for building employees, nearby restaurant customers and passersby.”
The architects at Shive-Hattery Chicago worked with the buildings’ property managers to bring the concept to life. Natural light within the space was nonexistent so it was crucial to provide welcoming, comfortable and safe amounts of illumination for visitors.
The architects collaborated with KSA Lighting and the lighting manufacturer’s Design Assist team to create the lighting scheme. The final design includes a combination of Accoled5 (ACL5) and Accoled3 (ACL3) linear lighting. ACL5, a recessed luminaire, is installed in a custom criss-cross pattern on the underside of a wood-like canopy that spans the length of the pocket park. ACL3, a surface-mount luminaire, is mounted along an open, zig-zag concrete frame that runs parallel to the wooden canopy. Each “X” in the project’s pattern is formed with one long linear fixture and two short fixtures, welded together.
“The lighting provides a dynamic visual in the park,” explains Mark Matuska, architect at Shive-Hattery. “The angled layout is intentional, to provide a juxtaposition to the rigid lines of the surrounding buildings. We were drawn to these particular products because of the manufacturer’s ability to meet our design requirements. The Design Assist team was able to provide continuous-looking linear fixtures with custom-angled connections.”
Tenants and passersby now take breaks and enjoy lunch in the dynamic space. It’s even a safe place to take shelter during a sudden storm. The improved curb appeal has been an advantage as a value-add in current tenant leases, as well as attracts new tenants.
“We turned ‘nothing’ into ‘something’ and created a little oasis in the middle of the city,” Gaines says.
Materials
LIGHTING MANUFACTURER: A-Light
Photos: AJ BROWN IMAGING