Architectural Cases

Visionary Design to Secure the Bears' Future in Chicago

A Bold Vision for Soldier Field's Transformation

Edward Peck Design has conceptualized a groundbreaking stadium makeover to persuade the Chicago Bears to maintain their long-standing presence in the city. The ambitious design encompasses a transparent, retractable canopy that would envelop Soldier Field, offering an all-weather venue. Furthermore, the plan includes a substantial increase in seating capacity and the creation of an expansive entertainment complex, directly addressing the team's desire for a state-of-the-art facility.

Addressing Relocation Concerns with Innovative Solutions

The firm developed this comprehensive concept as a direct response to the Chicago Bears' considerations of relocating to neighboring states, a possibility that arose after public and conservationist pushback against previous plans for a new stadium. Edward Peck, the studio's founder, emphasized the deep connection the team shares with Chicago, articulating a belief that the Bears' identity is intrinsically linked to the city. The proposal serves as a proof-of-concept, illustrating how the current Soldier Field site can be reimagined to meet future demands without the need for relocation.

Leveraging Expertise for a Feasible Expansion

Peck, renowned for his expertise in ETFE (Ethylene TetrafluoroFluoroethylene) installations and extensive experience with prominent architectural and engineering firms, champions the feasibility of expanding Soldier Field. His vision includes the construction of a vast ETFE canopy suspended above the playing field, effectively enclosing the stadium. This innovative addition would integrate seamlessly with the stadium's 2002 modern enhancements, built upon its original 1920s structure, creating a dynamic new landmark.

Integrated Urban Development: Decking Over Lake Shore Drive

A key element of Peck's proposal involves the construction of an elevated deck around the stadium, extending an entertainment complex over the adjacent rail yards and Lake Shore Drive. This aligns with existing urban planning discussions in Chicago, including proposals by developer Bob Dunn and the Chicago Park District to cap portions of the lake-side highway. Peck cites Millennium Park as a successful precedent for such infrastructure projects, highlighting how this approach has become a recognized strategy in Chicago's urban development lexicon.

Economic Catalyst: Skyscraper Integration and Revenue Generation

The proposed decking would support a series of 50 to 65-story skyscrapers, with their lower levels designated for entertainment venues. Peck believes these high-rises would generate significant revenue for the city, while their ground-level facilities could provide the steady income streams the Bears seek. This multi-faceted district would not only serve the stadium but also enhance the nearby museum district, convention center, and the burgeoning residential and commercial areas of downtown Chicago's southern quadrant, fostering a year-round vibrant economy.

Ensuring Year-Round Vibrancy and Mitigating Urban Exodus

Peck underscores the importance of creating a district that thrives beyond game days, attracting a critical mass of people 357 days a year. He cautions against relocating the stadium to suburban or out-of-state locations, arguing that such sites lack the population density to sustain a comprehensive entertainment complex. He points to successful models like the Shed complex in Hudson Yards, New York, and Miami's stadium renovation as examples of integrated urban sports and entertainment hubs.

Strategic Investment and Community Engagement

While acknowledging the substantial investment required for the deck and skyscraper components, Peck suggests that reusing and enhancing the existing stadium could lead to significant cost savings compared to an entirely new ground-up construction. His primary objective is to initiate a constructive dialogue, challenging the Bears to reconsider their options and embrace a solution that benefits both the team and the city. He views his proposal as a practical demonstration of how the Bears' objectives can be met within their current urban setting.

Protecting Soldier Field's Legacy and Financial Stability

Peck also expresses concern about the potential financial ramifications for Soldier Field if the Bears were to depart. He warns that a new enclosed stadium located nearby or in Indiana could siphon off revenue from winter concerts and other events, jeopardizing the historic stadium's financial viability. He stresses the critical need for careful consideration of the long-term impacts on Chicago's urban fabric and economy, as multiple municipalities in Indiana have already submitted bids for the stadium, and decisions regarding the team's future are imminent. This situation echoes past NFL team relocations, such as the Oakland Raiders' move to Las Vegas.

Studio Dera has reimagined a historic London residence, famously associated with Mozart and Vita Sackville-West, through a sophisticated extension that seamlessly merges modern architectural elements with the Georgian structure's timeless elegance. This transformation introduces new living spaces and integrates the home with its landscape via meticulously designed courtyards.

The project involved expanding an existing one-bedroom annex and converting a former basement pool into a second bedroom. A new lounge area was created, nestled beside a sunken courtyard, further enhancing the home's connection to nature. Sculptural glass-reinforced concrete (GRC) panels and full-height windows frame views of these layered courtyards, adding a contemporary touch while honoring the building's historical context. The interior finishes, including travertine, timber, and textured lime plaster, complement the exterior's material palette, contributing to a cohesive and tactile living experience.

Blending History and Modernity: The Mozart House Transformation

Studio Dera’s renovation of the Mozart House in London’s Belgravia Conservation Area represents a masterful fusion of historical preservation and contemporary architectural intervention. This Georgian terraced home, steeped in history as the place where Mozart composed his first symphony and later inhabited by celebrated author Vita Sackville-West, has been thoughtfully expanded to accommodate modern living requirements. The architects focused on creating additional living space while ensuring the new elements respect and enhance the existing structure. The extension, featuring sculptural glass-reinforced concrete panels and expansive full-height windows, frames picturesque views of two newly introduced courtyards, establishing a dynamic relationship between the indoor and outdoor environments.

The project's scope included transforming a modest one-bedroom extension located at the rear of the garden. A key element of this expansion involved converting a disused basement pool into a vibrant new bedroom, and excavating further to introduce a cozy sunken lounge that opens directly onto one of the courtyards. This innovative approach allowed Studio Dera to develop a bold and creative extension that nevertheless allows the Georgian heritage of the main house to maintain its dignified presence. The architectural design emphasizes an 'episodic journey' as one transitions from the main home's living areas through a glazed corridor, leading to the thoughtfully integrated garden spaces and the new additions.

Innovative Design and Landscape Integration

The design philosophy behind the Mozart House extension by Studio Dera was deeply rooted in considering the project as an integral part of the landscape rather than a standalone addition. This perspective led to the creation of a ground-floor bedroom that functions like a garden pavilion, featuring a deep-set frame around large sliding glass doors, seamlessly connecting it to the surrounding courtyard. The thoughtful integration of excavation techniques grounds the new structures within the site, while lighter, more open pavilion elements introduce a sense of airiness and tranquility. The sculptural GRC elements, particularly the delicate design of the new bedroom at the rear, strike a harmonious balance with the excavated spaces, demonstrating a delicate architectural presence that contrasts with the solidity of the main house.

Both the upper and lower courtyards are meticulously paved and adorned with large, round planters filled with trees and shrubs, bringing greenery and life into these outdoor rooms. A particularly ingenious feature is the use of translucent walk-on glass in the upper courtyard, which allows natural light to filter down into the lounge and bedroom below, enhancing the luminosity of the subterranean spaces. The interior material palette, chosen for its timeless, tactile, and robust qualities, includes travertine, timber, and textured lime plaster, which beautifully echo the sculptural GRC elements of the exterior. This cohesive material strategy contributes to a serene and inviting atmosphere, making the Mozart House extension a compelling example of sensitive and innovative architectural design.