Renzo Piano architectural firm bows out of university project

Planning schedule for proposed arts neighborhood near Dinky station not expected to be affected

By: Jake Uitti
   Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the architectural firm that has been helping the university design an arts neighborhood near the intersection of University Place and Alexander Street, has asked to be allowed to withdraw from the planning stage of the project because it was concerned it no longer had the time to commit to the planning phase due to other commitments.
   The university announced in April that its arts neighborhood would be designed by the Piano firm, based in Genoa, Italy and Paris.
   "Despite its enormous international distinction, RPBW remains a relatively small firm, and Renzo Piano himself takes a personal interest in every project," said university Executive Vice President Mark Burstein. "They have been exceedingly helpful in shaping our initial thinking about the arts neighborhood, and we are very grateful for the creativity and insight they have brought to the project."
   In 1998, Renzo Piano Building Workshop won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, one of the most prestigious prizes in architecture. In the past, it has worked on the expansion of the Art Institute of Chicago as well as the new 52-story New York Times building.
   Mr. Burstein added that the project is complicated and time-consuming because it involves "multiple objectives" and will necessitate working with the community to develop appropriate planning and zoning frameworks.
   "We respect the decision by RPBW that it would not be able to devote the requisite time to the planning phase of the project, and we are hopeful that they may re-engage when we are ready to begin designing buildings for the site," Mr. Burstein said.
   Work on the design of the neighborhood will continue without interruption, university officials said, under the leadership of Beyer Blinder Belle, the architecture and planning firm that is leading the university’s overall campus planning project. Beyer Blinder Belle has been working closely with the Piano firm on the arts neighborhood project from its inception.
   "BBB has been fully engaged in planning for the arts neighborhood from the beginning, and we will be in very good hands as they now take on sole responsibility for managing the project," Mr. Burstein said. "We look forward to building on the work that already has been done and to conversations about this project that we will be having with our trustees and with the community over the coming months."
   He added that this is a "high-priority" project.