Kid Condenser
Design Proposal for the re-use of Prentice Women’s Hospital, Chicago
Team: Clare Lyster with Joanna Nika
Client: AIA Chicago / Chicago Architecture Foundation
In its 33 years as a maternity hospital (1975-2008), Prentice Women’s Hospital (Bertrand Goldberg Associates) delivered upwards of 400,000 babies. Preserving its service to the city’s youngest demographic, the project proposes to develop the old hospital as a mixed-use space for children --a kid condenser-- comprising a K-6 elementary school; a children’s library; a theatre; a dance room; a children’s bookstore and a café, which are all located in the plinth of the building, while a new home for the Chicago Children’s Museum is located in the 7 story cylindrical structure. A museum garden occupies a vacant lot opposite the building.
