Official name: The Jay Pritzker Pavilion Built: 2003-2004 Designed by: Frank Gehry Type: Entertainment Venue Maximum Height: 120 feet / 37 meters Location: Michigan Avenue at Randolph, Chicago, United States
I ntended to be the centerpiece of Chicago's Millennium Park, the Pritzker Pavilion is both an acoustical and an architectural wonder. Architect Frank Ghery delivered another one of his playful steel creations. It appears as though the music has burst through a wall, sending the torn strips of metal curling back with the force of the blow. The curving metal forms the roof of a 4,000-seat amphitheater. Additional seating for 7,000 is available on the adjacent Great Lawn. This grassy knoll is covered with an amazing curved trellis from which hang lights and speakers. The sound delivered by the speakers is delayed to coincide with the arrival of natural sound from the orchestra. This cancels out any echoing effects and makes the viewer believe they are hearing the orchestra live from an impossible distance.
While Gehry's signature style is welcomed by municipalities around the world, it may just be his undoing. There was a story going around Chicago in 2002 that Ghery wanted to do something original and unique with the Pritzker Pavilion, but the people paying for it said, "no." They wanted an authentic Ghery building with curving glittering steel billowing from the structure. They got what they wanted, and Ghery may just be a victim of his own success.
» The Pritzker Pavilion is named for the Pritzker famiily, who contributed $15,000,000.00 toward its construction.
» The stage area is clad with Douglas Fir.
» The pavilion can accommodate a full-sized orchestra and a chorus of 150 members.
kemal
Sunday, December 21st, 2008 @ 4:37am
Rating: Three stars. i like Gehry's vision. but i think no more duplicates needed.so i worry about gehry's next istanbul concert hall. apparently he will never quit with this approach..
sarbanharble
Monday, December 10th, 2007 @ 3:43pm
Rating: One star. I love the Bilbao Guggenheim, but I'm frankly tired of seeing the same Gehry structure repeated all over the world. Something fresh from him would be welcomed.
SUSIE
Thursday, October 19th, 2006 @ 11:50am
Rating: Five stars. i love Frank Gehry's work! he is the architect of the future!
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kemal
Three stars.
sarbanharble
One star.
Five stars.