A Vehicle of Change Transformation brings new life to an outdated car dealership
By Mark Robins, Senior Editor Fletcher Jones’ Audi/Volkswagen Chicago dealer- ship was a very old, multi-building complex with different fl oor heights that were structurally chal- lenged. Thanks to the outstanding design and in- novation efforts of some very talented architects, a complete renovation has transformed it into a dynamic component of Chicago’s urban fabric.
Located on the near north side of Chicago, the
Fletcher Jones building comprises three interconnect- ed structures, the oldest of which was constructed in 1928. “The fi rst fl oor showroom required the removal of substantial load-bearing walls to achieve the open plan as well as the addition of supplemental steel to support fl oors,” says Angela Harper, local project architect at Gensler in Chicago. “The exterior was completely reconstructed and more than 60 percent of the exterior brick piers were removed.”
THE PANELS ARE A PLUS The Audi brand architecture is based on a roadway concept of displaying cars refl ected in elevations. The elevations are coordinated from the inside to the out- side in terms of space and openings. The outside of the building has a perforated, corrugated aluminum honeycomb which frames those openings. The varied facades and fl oor levels are unifi ed by the metal skin as one cohesive skin. The aluminum corrugated perforated honeycomb
gives a sense of depth and shadow to the facades. Together with a fl at aluminum back panel, it hides dirt and stains accumulated over time. It also discour- ages graffi ti. The aluminum honeycomb provides screening over individual in-swing windows, focus- ing attention on the open glass areas displaying the cars. At night, the honeycomb is a dynamic array of illumination both screened and open areas. The renovation supplied by Holland, Mich.-based
Dri-Design’s new Texture Series panels provides a uniquely accented design element for the new envelope. The Texture Series is created by attaching a 2 3/4-inch-deep perforated corrugated grill to the sur- face of a traditional Dri-Design rainscreen wall panel. The grill is separated from the panel with a 2-inch
airspace to provide dramatic shadowing and depth. The total system depth is 6 inches and was delivered to the job-site factory assembled and ready to install. Approximately 11,500 square feet of Texture Series 0.080- and 0.063-aluminum panels fi nished in Clear Anodized were utilized on the exterior of the Audi portion of the 100,000-square-foot facil- ity. Approximately 4,000 square feet of traditional Dri-Design panels fi nished in White and Gray Velvet were used in exterior and interior applications on the Volkswagen portion of the dealership.
RENOVATION RESULTS “The panels are really well-received now,” says Jonathan Dreyfous, AIA, LEED AP, partner-in-charge at CR Studio Architects PC, New York. “They are almost zero maintenance. Aluminum is defi nitely a premium and unique material, and an AUDI signature element. They differentiate Audi from the standard fl at-panel dealerships or commercial architecture you see. Aluminum has a high energy associated with its fabrication, but its benefi t is really its long-term durability.”
But early in the design process, Dreyfous claims concern and skepticism were voiced that because it is an unconventional material design, it could be too aggressive looking. Would people try to climb the de- sign? Would birds try to nest in there? An ornitholo- gist was even hired to refute any worries about birds. Thus far, these issues are not a factor. Another important concern was the showroom space and street presence. Most Audi dealerships have 20-foot-high ceilings, but the dealership only had a 9-foot-high ceiling to work with. “We used a transom, which is translucent glass, which gives the illusion of a better proportion in the façade,” Dreyfous says. “The window openings actually seem bigger than they really are. We can keep the showroom at 9 feet, but actually make the building’s frontage more dramatic and larger scale.” Initial skepticism has been silenced and Drey-
fous claims everyone is happy. “For us the key to this project was using metal’s fl exibility and durability, but also being inventive with the material to give a new character and depth,” he says. “We hope to experi- ment with it more on other projects.”