The Under the Dome exhibition was shown at the Chicago Cultural Center during the Second Chicago Architecture Biennial from October 2017 to January 2018.  The exhibition features four constructs that formalize a “New History” for the Dome as an architectural artifact and spatial experience.  Placed at eye-level, each of the four constructs are made with colorful plexi using an egg crate construction technique and placed atop a mirror.  

The four constructs formalize the the taxonomy of the Burnham Prize Competition entries received by the Chicago Architectural Club for their Under the Dome competition.  The competition called for the critical re-imagination of the dome.  

Description of each of the four constructs as follows:

1. Complete the Dome

This physical completion of the dome teases out the possibility of a space below the dome.  The sphere - the dome’s natural other half - allows for a fully immersive spatial experience, where one is both below and above.

2. The Space Between

In this construct, the proximity of the underside of the dome and ground plane are in dialogue through the addition of a volumetric element.  Here, the object and the dome negotiate a new spatial experience Between.  

3. Mirror / Ground

This construct respects the spatial quality that being "under the dome" offers by re-thinking the ground plane. This construct plays out scenarios that reflect and program the space under the dome through the ground plane.  

4. Occupy the Dome

This construct positions the dome as something to be experienced through physical proximity.  Here, the underside of the dome provides a new set of opportunities to playfully occupy the space below the dome, bridging the ground plane and the dome.

Location

Chicago Cultural Center 

Client

Chicago Architectural Club

Exhibition Duration

October 2017-January 2018