Krueck & Sexton Architects

SPERTUS INSTITUTE OF JEWISH STUDIES, CHICAGO

Nicholas Tamarin -- Interior Design, 12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Since the role of light is fundamental to the Jewish intellectual tradition, principals Ron Krueck and Mark Sexton explored luminosity throughout this ground-up building, located on what was one of Michigan Avenue's last open spaces. Beginning with a triple-height entry featuring a monumental staircase, visitors are encouraged to move up through the building's vertical organization of spaces. The facade's origamilike folds of low-emission glass modulate the scale of the 10-story institute. Inside, a faceted drywall protrusion mirrors the exterior creasing while balustrades of clear-glass panels reflect and transmit light through the 145,000-square-foot building, which includes an auditorium, a library, classrooms, and a museum. As upward movement continues, generous views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park are revealed.

1100 Architect

project New York Public Library Francis Martin Branch, Bronx, New York.

standout This 5,000-square-foot project centers on the colorful second-floor children's reading room, where an open-plan configuration takes advantage of the panoramic views and abundant daylight provided by the building's gently curving facade.

Elliott + Associates Architects

project Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma City.

standout The renovation of this 1935 theater yielded a lobby with 8-foot-tall letters in color-changing LEDs, a new wood-lath ceiling, and unearthed and restored exposed-brick walls.

Steven Learner Studio

project Haunch of Venison, New York.

standout Because this office-space conversion was part of the landmark Rockefeller Center, the architect created a series ofcrisp, white volumes—featuring poured-epoxy flooring and removable skylights for installing large artwork—within the existing masonry shell.