Dwell — "The 9 Most Influential Buildings of the Decade"
“When Thorne first heard about the Aqua Tower project led by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects, she admits to wondering how the Chicago-based architect could improve on an ‘uninspired, developer-built high-rise.’ ‘[Gang] took a risk, and it turned out extremely well,’ says Thorne. ‘Not only is it a beautiful building at the edge of Millennium Park; she has a very thoughtful concept about light and wind and the climate around it as she designed the terraces that curve around the building.’
The 82-story, 876-foot-high tower stands out on the Chicago skyline, thanks to undulating outdoor terraces that seem to ripple across the facade and facilitate interaction between the building’s occupants and sightlines across the city. ‘It was very influential because it seems to give a message that developer buildings don’t have to be horrible,’ says Thorne. ‘They can also be a good neighbor in the city where they are.'”
