It seems like every architecture firm in Chicago has invoked Daniel Burnham’s signature words at one time or another:
At this point it’s become cliché, because the quote is always trotted out when a design differs from the accepted norm to justify the architect’s imagination, saying by proxy, “I know it looks wacky, but Uncle Dan says it’s fine.” Because for some reason we’ve come to a point as a society and a city where architects feel they have to emasculate their designs and apologize for being creative.
There were no apologies at the opening gala of the 31st Chicago Latino Film Festival last weekend, where JGMA’s design for the proposed Ibero-American Tower was unveiled. The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago wants to build an ambitious, colorful, standout complex on what appears to be the block bounded by LaSalle, Huron, Erie, and Wells Streets.
Drawing of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago. Still frame from JGMA animation.
The building would include the following components:
- Administrative offices
- Ballroom
- Spanish/Portuguese Language Institute
- Museum
- Bureau of Culture and Tourism
- Restaurant/Piano Bar
- Latino Cinematheque
- Exhibition Gallery
- 1,000-seat theater
- 500-seat theater
- 300-seat theater
- 200-seat theater
- Kids’ corner
- Coffee shop/gift shop/book shop
The design is unprecedented for downtown, but not necessarily for Chicago as a whole, or Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects. You’ll remember it is also the creative force behind the recently-opened, and decidedly breathtaking, Avondale classroom building for NEIU. JGMA has a habit of designing striped, stunning, serpentine structures that actually get built.
It’s those stripes that certainly call attention to this design. To the uninformed eye, they reflect a rainbow progression over the curling course of the building. In reality, they are sampled from the colors of the flags of all the nations of Latin America. Check out the video above to see the animated explanation.
So, what’s it going to take to get this thing built? Well, money. The Latino Cultural Center is trying to line up sponsors and donors for the project. We’re not sure if it owns the land that was depicted in the video rendering yet. But at least it’s not asking to use a slice of a public park for free.
