Structural & Public Space • Completed 2025

Nexus Pavilion

A dynamic hyperbolic paraboloid diagrid canopy that anchors a new civic plaza and public amphitheater on Chicago's waterfront, engineered from ultra-high-performance concrete.

Location Chicago, Illinois, USA

Plaza Footprint 35,000 sq ft (3,250 m²)

Canopy Span 38.5 Meters Clear Span

Capacity 1,200 Person Amphitheater

Structural Engineering Apex Structural Consultants

Nexus Pavilion — Parametric Diagrid Canopy against Chicago Skyline

[ MEASUREMENT ARCHITECTS — DWG REF #061-NEXUS // BUILT ]

[ 01 / Project Schedule & Specifications ]

Structural Material Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Shell Compressive Strength: 180 MPa

Shell Thickness 55mm Minimum Shell Thickness Reinforced with Carbon Fiber Mesh

Rainwater Capture Central Gravity Vortex Funnel Feeds Subterranean Lake Cistern

Acoustic Optimization Computational Sound Diffusing Underside Natural Amplification for Unplugged Performances

[ 02 / Design Narrative & Concept ]

Chapter 01 • Computational Form-Finding

Defying Gravity with Minimal Thickness

Nexus Pavilion was conceived through algorithmic form-finding simulations that optimize compressive load paths. The resulting double-curved hyperbolic paraboloid shell transfers all dead and live wind loads down to three discrete sculptural foundation touch-points.

Spanning an extraordinary 38.5 meters, the canopy tapers to a mere 55mm at its crest, pushing the structural envelope of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC).

Chapter 02 • Civic Gathering & Ecology

A Democratic Plaza for the City

Beneath the sweeping canopy, stepped granite terraces descend toward the waterfront, forming a natural amphitheater for civic assemblies, symphonic concerts, and daily respite.

The geometry forms an inverted oculus at its center that funnels 100% of stormwater runoff into an illuminated central vortex pool before discharging into subterranean biological filters.