Museum of Broadcast Communications
Chicago (River North)
70,000 sf
Chicago Architecture Foundation “Big and Green Chicago” Exhibition
City of Chicago’s “Celebration of the Environment Month” at O’Hare Airport
As part of a design-build team with Pepper Construction, Eckenhoff Saunders transformed an existing turn-of-the-century parking structure into state-of-the-art exhibition and administrative facilities for the Museum of Broadcast Communications, previously located in the Chicago Cultural Center. Its new location in the heart of Chicago’s River North entertainment district allows the museum to reach a broader audience and expand its public exhibition offerings.
With assistance from Eckenhoff Saunders, the museum partnered with the adjacent Marina City complex to use air rights along State Street, giving the institution a recognizable State Street address. The building houses two floors of exhibition space, including the Radio Hall of Fame, fully functional radio and television broadcast studios, a large-group education center, administrative offices, and a multipurpose event venue.
The architectural design uses crisp metal panels, metal mesh, and broad expanses of glass to reflect the museum’s interest in emerging communication technology, establish a new identity, and celebrate its commitment to all forms of broadcast media. Together with tall, slender lobby columns supporting the primary cornice line, these materials create a composition that balances contemporary and traditional museum design. Opened in 2010, the museum was designed to LEED Gold standards.