A Unique Historic Renovation in Chicago

In 1958, 618 S. Michigan Ave. was stripped of its former glory in a modernist makeover. Today, building owners are planning to clad the front with glass and project a ghost-like image of the original facade on it.

1 minute read

November 12, 2011, 1:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur

Blair Kamin explains how it would work:

"With the aid of digital ceramic printing technology, the glass will be imprinted with a ghost-like image of the building's original façade (left). Though the technology has been used before, Columbia is touting the large-scale historical recall as a first of its kind.The architect, Elva Rubio of the Chicago office of Gensler, compares the veil-like design to the Shroud of Turin.

Will it work? It all depends whether God is in details."

FULL STORY: Fresh face: Columbia College plans a digital makeover for Michigan Avenue high-rise; plan will echo old facade while expressing

Friday, November 11, 2011 in The Chicago Tribune

History / Preservation Illinois

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