The main part of the Clark Park complex is a boathouse, one of four to be erected in the near future as part of the regeneration of the banks of the Chicago River. It houses the racing boats of the Chicago Rowing Foundation, as well as kayaks and canoes for rental to all comers. Nearby is a two-story building with training tanks, rowing machines, offices of the Chicago Parks Authority and Rowing Foundation and a social event hall.
Both buildings received a complex ridged silhouette: their roofs are formed by V- and M-shaped trusses. This solution by architect Jean Gang is inspired by the trajectory of the oars during rowing. The facades are covered with slate and zinc panels, in the interior concrete is combined with plywood.
The windows in the upper part of the facades are oriented to the south, and through them the sun heats the building in winter, while ventilation is carried out through them in summer. Other “green” components of the project include maximum use of natural light, two “rain gardens” to manage rainwater, and a “plaza” covering between the buildings of permeable concrete.
The budget of the complex with a total area of 2,103 m2 was $ 8.8 million.
