A federal jail, The Metropolitan Correctional Center, is snuggled right into Chicago's Loop. Reporter Roman Mars looks at how the architecture manages to help the building disappear.
The building was built in 1975 and was designed by architect Harry Weese. The triangular design of the building, says Mars, was deliberately meant to deflect the viewer's gaze:
"The triangular shape keeps the building pushed back from the street, there's a tall hedge between the sidewalk and the plaza in front of the jail, and the El train blocks the much of the view of the floors above."
Mars interviews the project manager who worked with Weese on the building, and talks about the Weese's utopian ideas for the interior.
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
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