THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER IS ARCHITECTURALLY AMAZING!

Loius Comfort Tiffany art glass dome in Preston Bradley Hall


Art glass dome in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Rotunda and Memorial Hall

Last Friday I went to visit my friend Natalie at her office which is in the Chicago Cultural Center. I was a bit early so I brought my little camera over to the newly restored Loius Comfort Tiffany art glass dome in Preston Bradley Hall.

In 2005 I was accepted to be a volunteer docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF). I had been a Chicago Greeter (give informal walking tours to visitors in neighborhoods I had knowledge of - helping them feel more comfortable with being in a big city, taking the "L" etc.) for two years prior, which was very fulfilling for me, but yearned for more education on Chicago history and architecture. I heard of this volunteer position with the CAF would be the perfect way to get this type of education. I received a year of education in exchange of at least 2 years of service.

In applying for the CAF docent program (which was very selective - I was denied the first time I applied) I needed to come prepared with a favorite building and give a 2-3 minute speech on why it was an important piece of architecture. I chose the Chicago Cultural Center for several reasons.

1. Two different beautifully designed interior of one building; 78 E. Washington side was originally designed as the first ever Chicago Public Library and the 77 E. Randolph St. side was designed for the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Rotunda and Memorial Hall - constructed as a memorial, museum and assembly hall for Civil War veterans

2. The glorious mosaic details you can see throughout the interior of the building are so amazingly meticulous - the kind of ornate work that could have only been done by a dedicated artist

3. Currently the building is used for all aspects of Chicago's diverse culture/art scene - from daily liv music performances, intriguing art exhibits, dance/music performances and home of the Chicago Children's Choir, this building hosts the best of the arts in the city

4. It also houses the best visitor information center in the city - you can get the most current advise on what to see and do from people who are passionate about Chicago

5. The location is ideal - across from Millennium Park, close to Marshall Fields (aka Macys) on State Street, in the middle of every 'L' line, etc.

Now that both of the glass domes have been completely restored, I encourage everyone to go and see this building. No admission, just show up during a time when there isn't a performance so you can experience the amazing beauty of the art glass domes!

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE RESTORATION FROM THE CULTURAL CENTER'S WEBSITE:

The restoration of the world’s largest Louis Comfort Tiffany art glass dome — located in Preston Bradley Hall in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street — has been completed with awe-inspiring results. An initiative of the City of Chicago, which owns the landmark Cultural Center, the project restored the dome to Tiffany’s original vision and allows it to be seen as it was in 1897, when the building opened as the first Chicago Public Library.

Approximately 38 feet in diameter, the Tiffany dome spans more than 1,000 square feet. It contains approximately 30,000 pieces of glass in 243 sections within an ornate cast iron frame. The body of the dome has a “fish scale” pattern. The center, called the oculus, shows the signs of the zodiac. The interior stained glass dome originally was protected by an exterior translucent glass dome, which allowed much-needed natural light into what was then the library’s general delivery room. The lower portion of the room is covered with white marble and glistening mosaics, also designed by Tiffany.

During this project, the concrete and copper exterior dome that had been added during the 1930s was removed, once again allowing natural light to shine through the glass. Now, natural light pours into the room, changing the subtle colors of the restored glass minute-by-minute, while all of the room’s decorative elements glow and harmonize. In addition to cleaning and repairing the art glass, the ornate cast iron framework of the dome was given a new application of its original finish. Delicate rosette lighting around the cornice of the dome also was refurbished.