Known locally as 'Big John', the John Hancock Center is one of
the Chicagoans' favorite skyscrapers. The 100 - story
building, completed in 1969, has a remarkable design,
with the huge X-braces serving both a structural and
a visual purpose. Visually, it gives the impression
of stability and it moves the eye away from the human-sized
windows.
North side seen from John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center at night
John Hancock Center
The
construction was designed by the engineer Fazlur Kahn and architect Bruce Graham
from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Fazlur Kahn devised the frame-tube system,
which he also implemented in the Sears Tower.
This new construction method was made possible by new technologies, like more advanced software and new developments in steel. Thanks to the new construction method, it was possible for Kahn to design constructions which could resist the strong windforces more effectively by having the forces absorbed by all three dimensions of the building. The diagonals are connected to the exterior columns, making it possible for the forces to be carried over from the braces to the columns and back.
This new construction method was made possible by new technologies, like more advanced software and new developments in steel. Thanks to the new construction method, it was possible for Kahn to design constructions which could resist the strong windforces more effectively by having the forces absorbed by all three dimensions of the building. The diagonals are connected to the exterior columns, making it possible for the forces to be carried over from the braces to the columns and back.
John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center
Multifunctional
Just like Marina City,
the John Hancock Center is a
multifunction building.
It includes 48 stories of apartments (with a total of
711 apartments), 29 stories offices, shops, a hotel,
a swimming pool, an ice rink, restaurant and on top
of the 344 meters (1127 ft) tall building radio and television
facilities. On top it offers services like its own post
office and a refuse collection. The apartments are located
at the top of the tower. Some of them are so high that
the inhabitants sometimes have to call the doorkeeper
to ask what the weather's like down on the ground, as
the apartments are sometimes above the clouds.
Criticism
At the beginning of the project, it was controversial
mostly because of the location of this massive tower,
near the much smaller and more gentle buildings on Michigan
Avenue. After its completion, most of the
criticism
dwindled, but much like with the Sears Tower, the plaza at the entrance was considered
very user- unfriendly, being afflicted by heavy gales
and loud traffic noise from Michigan Avenue. It was
redesigned in 1995 and now includes a 3,5 meters high
fountain to muffle the noise and a recirculation of
office and shopping traffic.
Observation Deck
The observation deck at the top of the John Hancock
Center gives one of the best views you can have of the
Loop, Chicago's downtown area.
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