WBEZ — “What’s That Building? Virtual World Tour Edition”
“The architects who designed some of Chicago’s most iconic buildings have a long history of taking their talents and styles to other cities.
During the stay-at-home era, many historic buildings are offering virtual architecture tours, giving What’s That Building the opportunity to explore some of the buildings that Chicago’s culture has influenced around the world.
The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership
About this building: Designed by Jeanne Gang and built in 2014, this small educational building takes up just 10,000 square feet on campus at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Yet, it’s beautiful with an unusual Y shape and clad in carbon-sequestering wood rings.
Chicago connection: Gang is best-known in Chicago for the Aqua and Vista Tower skyscrapers in Lakeshore East. When completed (scheduled to be later this year), Vista Tower will be the tallest building in the world designed by a woman-owned firm — and the third-tallest in the city.
Take the virtual tour: This video details the meaning behind the building and its relationship to Kalamazoo’s social justice program. Jump to 50 seconds in the video for views of the exterior and interiors. At 2 minutes, see aerial shots of the building and views from inside at 2:45.”
