University of Chicago Photowalk Recap

Last week I lead a photowalk around the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park. Such great diversity in architectural styles on this campus.
First up, the brutalist Regenstein Library. While I’m typically not a huge fan of brutalist architecture I actually really like this building. It has such great texture and given the great weather we had, the warm tones of the concrete play nicely of the rich, blue sky.
university of chicago, regenstein library

university of chicago, regenstein library
university of chicago, regenstein library
A short walk north and we’re at one of the campuses newer buildings, the Campus North Residential Commons designed by one of my favorite architects, Jeanne Gang, founder of Studio Gang Architects. The white concrete again plays well off the vivid blue sky. I also love the contrast in its curves and linearity.
university of chicago, Campus North Residential Commons, studio gang architects
university of chicago, Campus North Residential Commons, studio gang architects
university of chicago, Campus North Residential Commons, studio gang architects
Given the material of the building it can sometimes feel a bit brutalist.
university of chicago, Campus North Residential Commons, studio gang architects
One of the next stops was the Booth Harper Center. It has this really great atrium inside. On a sunny day, like we had, you can get some great reflections.
Chicago Booth Harper Center, university of chicago
Or just playing with the lines of the columns and ceiling detail make for some nice symmetrical shots.
Chicago Booth Harper Center, university of chicago
Just across the street and a bit south is the Rockefeller Chapel. Unfortunately, it was closed but the bell tower has some nice geometric details. Again, good for some symmetry.
university of chicago, rockefeller chapel
university of chicago, rockefeller chapel
Across the plaisance is the Laird Bell Law Quadrangle with more great geometry.
 Laird Bell Law Quadrangle, Eero Saarinen, university of chicago
Laird Bell Law Quadrangle, Eero Saarinen, university of chicago
One of my favorite subjects of the day was the sculpture, Construction in Space and in the Third and Fourth Dimensions by Antoine Pevsner, in the reflecting pool outside of this building. You have to walk through some shallow water to get close enough to make your shots but it’s well worth some slightly wet feet. The intense blue of the sky contrasting with the copper-colored sculpture made for a great color combo.
Construction in Space and in the Third and Fourth Dimension,  Antoine Pevsner, university of chicago
Construction in Space and in the Third and Fourth Dimension,  Antoine Pevsner, university of chicago
Construction in Space and in the Third and Fourth Dimension,  Antoine Pevsner, university of chicago
Given the nice light, it also works well in black and white.
Construction in Space and in the Third and Fourth Dimension,  Antoine Pevsner, university of chicago
Just a short walk west is the Logan Center for the Arts. A nice clean building. Centering the main part of the building in my frame and allowing another portion of the building with its reflections in the corner of my frame made for some interesting geometry. Given this part of the building was in the shade while we were there, and I was shooting into the sun, the blue sky takes on a softer tone.
logan center for the arts, university of chicago
We made a brief stop in the Harper Reading Room for some shots of its Gothic Architecture.
harper reading room, university of chicago
A final shot of the roofline from another of the university’s gothic buildings in the Quad.
university of chicago
We had a beautiful day to tour around this fantastic campus. Head over to Photography Unfolded and follow along on the blog to see some of the student’s pics soon!

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