Millennium Park pavilion embodies past, present and future

Zaha Hadid Architects, London, U.K., designed this pavilion for Millennium Park to encapsulate Chicago’s history and future. The design of the tent-like structure, engineered by Rockey Structures, Oak Park, Ill., mimics its dual representations through the balance of light and shadows that pass through the ceiling as sunlight filters through during the day. Tensile fabric manufactured by Ten Fab Design LLC, Evanston, Ill., rises and falls along the exterior of the structure, which is illuminated at night by outdoor lighting designed by DEAR Productions Inc., Oak Park Ill.

Inside, visitors will be able to enjoy a film about Chicago’s history featuring local architects discussing their ideas for the future of the city. The film, created by London-based artist Thomas Gray for The Gray Circle, will be projected onto the interior walls. Marmon/Keystone Corp., Butler, Pa., donated the aluminum structure used as a frame for the fabric. The pavilion will be open to the public from July 19 through October 31.

For more information, visit www.zaha-hadid.com.