International Wood International Wood 2006 | Page 9

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t’s hard to imagine a higher concentration of talent, ideas,
and expressions of design than you’ll find in Chicago’s
Millennium Park. Situated between the Lake Michigan shore
and Chicago’s exquisite skyline, you would never know that
these 25 acres of flora and fun were until a few years ago a railroad
yard and a parking lot.
At the north end of the park sits the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, de-
signed by Frank Gehry. Framed by Gehry’s trademark stainless steel
ribbons, the pavilion is the most advanced outdoor concert venue
in the United States.
Up to 11,000 concert goers sit in fixed seats and on the Great
Lawn under a trellis of steel pipes that carries a state-of-the-art
sound system, carefully designed to mimic the acoustics of an
indoor concert hall. After dark, the pavilion is illuminated by ever-
changing lighting schemes that give the structure an otherworldly
life of its own.
Imported hardwoods play a significant role in the pavilion, the
bridge, and throughout Lurie Gardens, says project design director
Ed Uhlir.
“Wood was obviously the best choice acoustically for the pa-
vilion stage and much more comfortable to walk on in the garden
and on the bridge than concrete or other materials.
The expansive BP Bridge, designed by world-famous architect Frank
Gehry, links Chicago’s Millennium Park to the Lake Michigan shoreline. Imported ipé
hardwood was chosen for its durability and the silver-gray color it takes on as it ages.
Gehry also designed the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, using another imported hardwood,
jarrah, not only for its durability but also for its warm color.
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