Proj Overview

Project Overview

The design of the Nouvelle condominiums is unique due to the curving site boundaries and need to be attached to the neighboring mall. The architects could not rely on a rectangular design. The goal was to find an inexpensive yet durable facade material that was suitable for the suburban housing market and allowed for a unique aesthetic.

Precast Solution

One of the challenges with the precast panel design was to create a systematic, repetitive logic that could achieve the irregular building shape, many corners at the residential living rooms, and the requirements to have balconies at almost every unit. The design team organized this complex building into pieces that appear to have organic variation but are actually only three versions of the same pattern. The precast concrete panels allowed the architect to create beautiful window frames and textured surfaces that resemble terra cotta’s color variations.

 

Awards_
2010 PCI Design AwardsBest Multi-family Building
Project Team

Architect

ADD Inc. 

Engineer

McNamara Salvia 

Contractor

Dimeo Construction 

Owner

General Growth Properties, Chicago, IL 

Precaster

BPDL Inc.

Key Project Attributes

  • Precast provided an inexpensive, yet durable facade material 
  • The versatility of precast allowed the architect to create unique window frames
  • Precast presented textured surfaces that resemble terra cotta’s color variations

Project/Precast Scope

  • Area: 825,000 ft2
  • Number of stories: 12
  • Structural system: Steel 
  • Majority of panels 27’ long x 10’ high with two window openings