CHICAGO CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 1993
Located on newly refurbished Navy Pier on Lake Michigan, the Chicago Children's Museum finds it permanent home within a 60,000sf facility within the Family Pavilion building. Anchored by the original headhouse structure to the west, the new museum comprises space among three floors of the new structure. The third floor, the major exhibit floor, opens up to a large westerly view of downtown Chicago.
Photos by William Kildow. General Contractor was Schal Construction.
The Great Hall
Flanked by two blue volumes housing staff conference spaces, the Great Hall anchors the public space of the museum. With a spacious vault overhead and generous glazing to the west, this space enjoys a majestic view back to the city skyline. Its serves as the "public square" of the museum.
The Mezzanine
Office and gathering spaces for the staff were accommodated on a mezzanine which hovers over the third floor. Perimetal private offices surround a light filled open work area in the center of the space. The mezzanine overlooks the Great Hall below.
Inventions Tower
Housed within the interior of a tower that formerly housed a large water tank, an exhibit exploring "inventions" invites kids to create flying machines that flutter down from a launching apparatus. Exhibit by CCM staff.
Great Hall, Oblique
An oblique view of the great hall, as seen from the mezzanine. Located off the great hall and serving the mezzanine above, is a fabric covered access stair, which glows in the evening.
Second Floor Entry
The second floor elevator lobby sits amongst the visitors information center and the formal entry to the museum.
Elevator Lobby
Clad with a heavily textured embossed stainless steel sheet, even the elevator cab provides a unique textural experience for visitors. This lobby is located on the third floor.
Entry
The entry information desk foregrounds the main stair and the the hull of a lake sailing schooner, complete with climbing nets and a crow's nest .
Navy Pier Facade
The main facade of Navy Pier. The museum is located under the central vault. The flanking towers accommodate the inventions tower and the water exhibit.
The Central Stair
A winding central stair connects all three levels of the museum, offset at each level to allow inviting views to all three floors.
Crow's Nest
Atop the schooner on the second floor, the crow's nests appear.
Upper Landing
The upper landing of the central stair. Great Hall entry is in the middle of the photograph.
