James
Gerlach
Narrative:
The overall design concept for the park responds to the history of Chicago, DuSable’s place within history and the hydrologic processes and man made changes imposed upon the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
The proposed landforms serve both functional uses as well as symbolic references to the past. The south half of the site has been sculpted to reflect the scouring action of Lake Michigan when rock groins were first extended into the lake. The land is lowered here to offer opportunities for engaging the waters edge and provide a more diverse edge habitat. Rills filed with iris extend from the storm drains on the viaduct columns to outfalls within the newly created wetland. Boardwalks loop the rills to provide a connection out over the marsh and also serve as handicap access. An allee of Osage Orange buffers the western edge of the park from Lake Shore Drive, recalling a traditional Midwest hedgerow.
The 20-foot high mounds symbolize the many incidents of filling and raising the city and also serve to contain the contaminated soil that exists on-site. From the promontory at the top of the larger hillock, visitors can see over the surrounding cityscape, the Navy Pier and reconnect with the lake.
The history of Chicago is represented in the notch of the larger mound, which exposes layers of history much like archeological findings. A commemorative object representing DuSable is located on the lower plaza and is illuminated by a shaft of light from between the high walls. Other historical events expressed in these layers could be: Fort Dearborn, the Great Fire, reversal of the direction of flow of the Chicago River, and the first atomic reaction. An allee of Cottonwood bisecting the mounds recalls the straightening of the river and also provide some much-needed shade on the upper plaza. A looping walkway through the rough-cut meadow provides access to the promontory. The smaller of the two hillocks on the western edge of the park creates tension between the contrasting forms and also serves to buffer the park and minimize the scale of Lake Shore Drive.
James
Gerlach
http://www.dryopteris.com