WAVELENGTHS
Wavelengths seeks to reinvigorate the south gateway to South Chicago with a multipurpose park and sculpture playground. The natural thresholds – marked by the existing skyway support system – lead into four designated areas for reception, performance, play, and culture. Upon entrance into the park, the visitor is greeted by a mural painted by local artists, showcasing the diverse heritage of South Chicago. Transportation amenities, such as a bike station, bike parking spaces, and a new bus stop are also located here. From entrance to performance, this zone hosts an amphitheater complete with a stage for the performance arts and sunken seating for an audience. Afterwards, a section for play presents soft colorful forms which can be crawled under, over, and into. Finally, a cultural zone urges its viewer to acknowledge South Chicago’s vast history through its featured educational fountains or sculptures. A continuous undulating roof acts as a unifier of these spaces under the Skyway and as an acoustical buffer to shield the park from the vehicular noise above.
A primary feature of Wavelengths is its functionality during both daylight and evening hours. Scattered and permanent furniture forms made of translucent fiberglass light at dusk from integrated multicolor LEDs. Cast phosphorescent resin are embedded in the main pathway and can stay illuminated hours after sunlight has passed. These two elements, paired with path-lined light posts, offer playful and vibrant lighting in the evening to keep the park activated past sun-fall.
The Public Amenities Plan seeks to connect Commercial Avenue with the churches, schools, and parks that lay on the periphery of this area of South Chicago as well as link the Wavelengths park along Commercial Avenue. Through means of a road improvement language along Commercial Avenue, these improvements will be extended to these places with the intent of encouraging church attendees, students, and outside visitors to venture to the Commercial Avenue corridor. New bus stop shelters will replace ones that currently service Commercial Avenue. The two Metra stops will follow the same streetscape language and will connect to the main corridor.
The viaduct that separates Wavelengths with the rest of South Chicago will undergo improvements to allow safer passage. The trusses and concrete walls are to be painted a brilliant white. The walls will be lined with multicolor LEDs that will provide nighttime visibility, while handrails will provide safety to users. This proposal will position South Chicago as a preeminent neighborhood bringing renewed interest to cultural heritage, community involvement and a colorful future.
