School of the Art Institute Galleries and Graduate Studios – 33 E. Washington

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has relocated their galleries and graduate studios to a more prominent location in the Chicago Loop that provides a street level presence. The project includes the renovation of four levels in a historic building that was formerly a Marshall Field’s store. A new central communicating stair with views into adjacent spaces connects the street level lobby and gallery to three lower levels. WLW was asked by SAIC to study the feasibility of locating their galleries and graduate studios in this new location, and to develop the design of their new facility. Galleries on Lower Levels 1 and 2 are configured as highly flexible space with movable walls, with smaller installation rooms around the perimeter. New lighting and mechanical and other building systems were carefully coordinated by WLW to preserve ceiling heights. Lower Levels 2 and 3 are also home to gallery offices and support spaces along with new individual studio spaces and critique rooms for graduate students. The project was a collaboration with Eastlake Studio. Eastlake designed the façade canopy, MEP infrastructure, and central atrium, and WLW is the architect of record for the SAIC Galleries and Graduate Studios.