Solstice on the Park: Shimmering Chicago High Rise Made for Shade

Did you know that the best angle for glass to keep a Chicago apartment warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer is 71 degrees? Well architects <a href="http://www.studiogang.net/">Studio Gang</a> have designed an entire high rise building based on that optimum angle with solar access and shading as its core concept. Aside from maximizing energy-efficiency through passive solar design and being absolutely beautiful (the angular surfaces also create a shimmering prismatic effect), <a href="http://solsticeonthepark.com/">Solstice on the Park</a> will be aiming for LEED Silver certification with a host of other eco features.

<a href="http://solsticeonthepark.com/">Solstice on the Park</a> will have 26 stories and 145 apartments when it is complete.

The whole building is 550,000 sf and is divided into 145 dwellings, outdoor gardens, a party room, offices, conference spaces and a parking lot.

Each living space is chiseled to create a self-shaded south-facing surface to keep the sun out in the summer, reducing air conditioning costs and <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/energy">energy</a>-usage.

During the winter, the glass allows sun to enter the apartments for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/passive-solar/">passive solar</a> warming, decreasing the need for artificial heating.

In addition to its smart design customized for its city's latitude, the structure will have gorgeous views of Jackson Park to the south and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=chicago">Chicago</a>’s skyline to the north - which are sure to draw Chicagoans in even if they've never heard of solar shading before in their lives.

"By making latitude into a visible feature for the façade and its reason-to-be, the project challenges the current notion of pure iconography and symbolism in tall buildings," say <a href="http://www.studiogang.net/">Studio Gang</a> on their website.