When most people envision University of Chicago‘s campus, they think of the university’s distinctive Neo-Gothic architecture crafted by the likes of Henry Ives Cobb. And while there’s plenty of that style to be found in the area… the institution also has a long track record of peppering in ultra-cool contemporary buildings.
Constructed in 1969, the Henry Hinds Laboratory for the Geophysical Sciences is a striking Brutalist design by architect I.W. Colburn. Tall limestone towers with redbrick accents soar into the air, a Modernist use of the same masonry materials adorning its historic neighbors. We can’t help but love the artful brickwork patterns at play — corbeling, brick screens, protruding headers, radial installations, & more!
Even under the gun of a very condensed project timeline, our team was able to locate a near-perfect match for repairs to several of these decorative elements. We supplied the job with flashed “Franklin Molded” Watsontown Brick in an old-school 8″ length. Proper workmanship was the final piece of the puzzle, perfectly integrating the new infills with the existing material.
We’ve been fortunate to work on several one-of-a-kind projects in Hyde Park over the years, and eagerly look forward to the next one.
LOCATION: 5640 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, 60637
ARCHITECT: Inspec Inc
GC: Berglund Construction
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Watsontown Brick
Categories: Historic Preservation + Adaptive Reuse, Wild Masonry, Educational + Religious, Special Shapes + Conditions
