Chicago - day 4

I extended my stay in Chicago by an extra day, on waking the sun was streaming in my hotel window and Frank Gearys sound pavilion sat in its lush green park, shining like a chrysalis that Picasso may have designed!!

The opportunity to spend the day in 'sunny' Chicago was to good to turn down.

I set off early to try and get a seat on the Archicentre Architectural Boat Tour. It was the first weekend that were running them after the winter break so as I expected they were very heavily booked, plus a glitch in the booking system, so I missed out!! Another very good reason to return soon.

So with a quick bite to eat under my belt I set off with camera poised to capture as much as I could before my late afternoon flight to Minneapolis.

I had the pleasure of spending my day with Daniel Richards from The Plant Specialists, based in NY. It's amazing what 2 Landscape Architects can see and achieve in a day!!

We spent the a day looking at the amazing Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Robie House, built in 1909 and a word famous example of Lloyd Wrights ‘Prairie ‘ Style House and his own house and studio that he built as a 22 year old architect, at that stage working for Louis Sullivan. In conjunction to 9 other private residence and a church all located within a 5 block radius from his house and studio.

Finally, after 3 different attempts, I was given access to see the intensive sedum roof on the flag ship Apple Store on Michigan Ave, Chicago.
The green roof was a pay back in response to removing 2 trees from the front of the site during construction and now offers all those that attend any education courses a great view out across the monoculture green roof and glass skylight.

Another hour spent walking through Millennium Park in the late afternoon drizzle was fantastic. It changes the whole time depending on the weather and light. The gardens are strongly designed with strong visuals linking the city back to the gardens and the amazing Frank Geary Music stadium and the great lawn.

An enclosed perennial garden provides a very strong connection to the seasons with the plantings changing. At present they are just emerging from winter with big sweeps of tulips and other bulbs, and a mix of grasses and perennials that are all budding up.