When we visited Chicago a few weeks ago, I was amazed by this beautiful building- and I was not surprised to find that it was designed by a woman. I wanted to know more about it... and I am sharing it with you!
Aqua is an 86-story mixed-use residential skyscraper in the Lakeshore East development in downtown Chicago. 
Designed by a team led by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects, the building is the tallest in the world to have a woman as lead architect.... and it is her first skyscraper.
The Aqua Tower is located on the 200 block of North Columbus Drive, and is surrounded by high-rises. To capture views of nearby landmarks for Aqua's residents, Gang stretched its balconies outward by as much as 12 feet. The result is a building composed of irregularly shaped concrete floor slabs which lend the facade an undulating, sculptural quality. Gang cites the striated limestone outcroppings that are a common topographic feature of the Great Lakes region as inspiration for these slabs.
The building's eight-story base is topped by a terrace with gardens, gazebos, pools, hot tubs, a walking/running track and a fire pit, and it has one level of underground parking.
Aqua contains 55,000 square feet of retail and office space, in addition to 215 hotel roomson the first 18 floors, 476 rental residential units , and 263 condominium units & Penthouses. Aqua is the first downtown building to combine condos, apartments and a hotel.
Sustainability was an important factor in Aqua's design. Gang and her team refined the terrace extensions to maximize solar shading, and other sustainable features will include rainwater collection systems and energy-efficient lighting. The green roof on top of the tower base will be the largest in Chicago.
Next time you visit Chicago- take the architectureal river tour and see this beautiful building from the river!
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