One South Dearborn in Chicago, Illinois

myminifactory

One of the Loop's newer office buildings, One South Dearborn, makes a statement while still blending in with its surroundings. Its four-story "lantern" at the top is a bold visual feature that sets it apart from other blue glass box buildings. This unique design not only adds character to the building but also helps hide mechanical and HVAC equipment on the roof. During the day, natural sunlight illuminates the lantern, while man-made lighting takes over at night, making One South Dearborn stand out among its neighbors. While "blue glass box" might seem like a negative description, it's actually a compliment in disguise. The building's facade creates a seamless transition from the Chicago sky to the city streets below. To pay homage to the iconic Inland Steel building next door, One South Dearborn's non-glass grid mimics its neighbor's size and color. This thoughtful design ensures that the new building complements rather than competes with its surroundings. The respect for 30 West Monroe doesn't stop at the facade. The entire mass of One South Dearborn is deliberately set back from Dearborn Street, creating a sense of reverence for the landmark Inland Steel building. Its front facade lines up perfectly with the older building, and if it weren't for an underground loading dock, it would create a stunning double-sized front yard. Glass plays a starring role in this building's design. The lobby is surrounded by massive cast glass panels that not only keep the weather out but also invite pedestrians to come inside. The arrangement of these panels creates a sense of movement, as if crystal clear water is flowing into a moat made of recycled glass. The lumpy shapes of the glass mimic those found in the public plaza, allowing people walking by to catch a glimpse of the lobby's activity without feeling intimidated. This welcoming design has eliminated the mystery and caution that often keep people from embracing skyscrapers as human-scale architecture. One of the highlights of this building is its public plaza, which features angled benches, ornamental benches, maple trees, and smooth river rocks. The architect's goal was to create a peaceful oasis in the midst of the urban jungle, and it has become a popular spot for weary office workers to sit and reflect on their lives. Quick Facts Construction start: 2003 Construction finish: 2005 Designed by: DeStefano Keating and Partners Type: Skyscraper Stories: 40 Maximum Height: 571 feet / 174 meters Statistics Lantern length: 90 feet Timeline 2003: Plans for this building are made public. November 17, 2004: A crane building this skyscraper accidentally hits the Bank One Center across the street, punching a hole in a window and dropping debris on a car below. Fortunately, no one is hurt. 2005: Construction is completed. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative that aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the world for free public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, and anyone interested in contributing can email stw@myminifactory.com to learn more. Scanned using photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)