The volcano-like building will be located in a prestigious neighborhood on the shores of Lake Michigan. Nearby are the Field Museum of Natural History, the John G. Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, which together form an entire museum cluster. To clarify, the project was originally planned to be implemented in San Francisco in the area of Presidio Park, but it was not possible to get the approval of the city authorities.
Rising literally from the ground, the organic form of the museum "facades", if you can call them that in this case, actively interacts with the surrounding park, becoming an integral part of the landscape. Moreover, in the upper part there is a circular observation deck with a glazed restaurant, from where breathtaking views of both the lake and the city open. But, at the same time, the object is opposed to the environment - a smooth "mountain" of white stone with a suspended metal disc on top looks too futuristic. The adjacent, somewhat smaller "slide" will accommodate an educational center with auditoriums, a lecture hall and a library.
An open area is planned in front of the entrance. Continuing it, the central domed space, according to the architect's idea, should become a gigantic “living room” to which all residents of the city are a priori invited - a convenient space for various social events, including even temporary exhibitions. And around it, in a spiral, the exhibition space will be located for the three main parts of the huge collection of George Lucas - the narrative art of the 20th century, various objects related to the history of cinema and the best examples of computer graphics. It is interesting that the light will only enter from above, the monolithic "walls" will reliably protect the exhibits from the sun's rays.
Two architectural teams from Chicago are also involved in the project. VOA Associates are hired as executive architects, while Studio Gang is responsible for landscaping and the bridge connecting the museum to the artificial peninsula. The construction is planned to be completed in 2018.
