As a born and bred geek, there are all kinds of nerdy things that catch my fancy and Chicago is an architectural masterpiece of a city with gads of gorgeous buildings fit to drive a design nerd crazy. On my recent trip to Chicago, equipped with a new set of iPhone clip-on lenses, I set about to capture some of the tiny but remarkable design details that make up the breathtaking urban landscape that is Chi-Town.
Macro photo of stained glass window at Fourth Presbyterian
From stained glass and art deco carvings to cold hard concrete and Beaux Arts gold embellishment, I could barely walk two steps without clicking a pic. I can’t offer much in the way of history, technique or significance, but here are a few of my favorite Chicago architectural design details from the Wrigley Building, The Blackstone Hotel, the Chicago Cultural Center, The Fourth Presbyterian Church, The Frederick C. Robie House and various structures throughout downtown, along Lakeshore Drive and in Hyde Park.
U.S. Mail shoot in The BlackstoneIntricate ceiling at The Chicago Cultural CenterGlass and abalone mosaics in the Tiffany designed Preston Bradley Hall at The Chicago Cultural CenterMetal work on the entry door to Michael Jordan’s SteakhouseStone carvings at Fourth PresbyterianChapel candelabras at Fourth PresbyterianPlaster details outside a Hyde Park retail buildingIron and spider webs on Lakeshore Drive North’s pedestrian bridgeWrought iron and stained glass at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Robie House on the University of Chicago campusIntricate service doors at The BlackstoneArt deco details on a school in Hyde ParkIntricate gold work on the signage of The Intercontinental HotelChandeliers in The Signature Room at The John Hancock BuildingMarble floors in the Wrigley Building, now a WalgreensPlaster ceilings at The BlackstoneStone carvings at The Wrigley BuildingTime-keeping details at The Blackstone
