Koo & Associates FOCUS

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  Thompson Center Chicago

  2012-09-08

   The beginning of Fall means the beginning of a new semester of teaching at IIT for us.This year's studio is an adaptive reuse of the Thompson Center into a hotel that incorporates a major additional attraction. A casino has been proposed at the location to generate income for the state, an idea that has been met with mixed feelings - to put it lightly. Our students will investigate what kind of attraction will benefit the Loop, and how it can be financially viable. Perhaps they will find an alternative, or maybe they'll draw the conclusion that a casino is the best option. We can't wait to see what they think of! 
  
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  The one that went viral.

  2012-08-30

  We tried something new and turned to Facebook for suggestions in regards to finding a new name for the Purple Hotel. Turns out our friends are a creative bunch. We got an amazing number of thoughtful suggestions. Some of our favorites include The UltraViolet, The Concord, and Cielo Morado. Our story got picked up by WTTW's architecture critic, Lee Bey.  Then the Architecture Newspaper blogged about it, followed closely by the Chicago Sun-Times. We're still takings name suggestions on our  Facebook Page.
  
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  Road trip to the Wagner Foundry

  2012-08-02

  A few days ago we took a trip to the Wagner Foundry in Chicago. The foundry is a third generation family owned business located in the heart of the city on Elston Avenue. (Conveniently located next to the Wine Discount Center, but that's another story.) There we met with Rick and Rich to discuss a cast ornament for a new canopy we are designing. What these guys are doing is fascinating! We're so glad we were able to pay them a visit and see how this stuff gets made, from inception to actual physical object. So cool.
  
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  This is what we see for Bronzeville

  2012-06-17

  This is what we see for Bronzeville, a boutique hotel that integrates University visitors with the surrounding artist community. The building is punctured by "holes" that have digital art displays, making for unique street views and ensuring that the building is adaptable and always relevant. 
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  Imagine Living Here

  2012-06-08

  More than just good looking - this mix of 3 flats, 6 flats and a 9 flat on an irregular site in Pilsen makes use of traditional gable forms and gets its touch of panache from colorful window boxes that also function as sun shades for the south facing buildings.
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  Bronzeville Live - Work

  2012-05-31

  And you thought we've been sitting on the couch eating bon bons all day. We've actually been busy. Very busy. 
  This scheme is located in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood and caters to University visitors as well as a growing artist community and comprises a series of Live/Work Lofts. The spaces themselves are adaptable and accommodate different forms of art from mixed media sculpture and painting to music production and film making. A screening room on the first floor with a prefunction space completes the scheme and creates the perfect setting for an open house or artist showcase. 
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  Working for GSA

  2011-10-26

  We are pleased to begin work for the General Service Administration this Fall.
  
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  Urban Prep High School

  2011-09-06

  Our renovation of the Medill School for Urban Prep Charter School is nearing completion. School begins September 6, 2011. Link
  
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  Pomeroy Furniture Installation

  2011-09-01

  Here's a photo from furniture installation day at CHA's Pomeroy Apartments.
  
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  Dan Rappel Credential Maintenance Day

  2011-08-25

  Dan Rappel will present "Beyond Intensive: Agricultural Green Roofs" at the USGBC Illinois Credential Maintenance Blitz - November 1, 2011 in Chicago, IL Link
  
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  Dan Rappel at Greening the Heartland

  2011-06-23

  Dan Rappel will present our work helping author CHA's Green Guidelines at the Greening the Heartland Conference - June 23rd, 2011 in Cincinnati, OH Link
  
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  Daley Legacy

  2010-10-22

  Jackie Koo talks about Mayor Daley's legacy along with 10 other architects at the Architect's Newspaper. Link
  
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  FUSE Conference

  2010-10-21

  Jackie Koo will be a presenter at the FUSE conference - April 11-13, 2011 in Chicago, IL. Link
  
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  Ryerson Woods

  2010-10-19

  Dan Rappel will be a panelist at USGBC's Residential Financial Incentive Program at Ryerson Woods Welcome Center in Riverwoods, IL. Link
  
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  CHA Green Retreat

  2010-09-17

  Koo and Associates will be a facilitator at the Chicago Housing Authority's Green Retreat.
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  Luxe Home VIP Summit

  2010-09-16

  Dan Rappel will be a speaker at the Luxe Home VIP Summit at the Merchandise Mart. Link
  
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  Design Evanston

  2010-09-11

  Jackie Koo is on the jury for Design Evanston. Link
  
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  Jackie Teaching at IIT

  2010-08-28

  Jackie Koo will be teaching an Advanced Design Studio at IIT during Fall Semester.
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  AIA Arizona

  2010-07-15

  Jackie Koo was on the jury for the 2010 AIA Arizona Design Excellence Awards. Link
  
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  2010 Neocon Presenter

  2010-06-14

  Jackie Koo will be a Hospitality panelist and presenter at Neocon 2010 at the Merchandise Mart. Link
  
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  i4design

  2010-05-18

  Jackie Koo has been selected as one of i4design's "Suite Sixteen". Link
  
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  Architect Magazine

  2010-03-11

  Ed Keegan writes about theWit in Architect Magazine. Link
  
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  AIA Board

  2010-01-15

  Jackie Koo was elected a Director of the AIA Chicago Board. Link
  
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  Midwest Construction

  2009-12-10

  theWit wins Project of the Year from Midwest Construction! Link
  
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  USGBC

  2009-12-09

  Dan Rappel is now vice-Chair of the USGBC Illinois Residential Green Building Committee. Link
  
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  The Wit

  2009-10-04

  theWit gets a rave review in the New York Times travel section! Link
  
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  Britton Budd

  2009-09-27

  The Britton Budd furniture installation is nearly complete.
  
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  The Wit

  2009-08-01

  Jackie gets the cover of Chicago Architect Magazine. Link
  
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  The Wit

  2009-07-01

  Jackie is profiled in the "Leaders and Visionaries" issue of Lodging Magazine. Link
  
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  Real Estate Business

  2009-05-29

  theWit is featured in Real Estate Business and will be in the July issue: Link
  
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  Fairfield Guestrooms Complete

  2009-05-21

  The Fairfield Inn and Suites Chicago Downtown guestroom renovation is now complete.
  
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  Jackie in Chicago Magazine

  2009-05-21

  Jackie is featured in the June, 2009 issue of Chicago Magazine.
  
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  theWit in CS

  2009-05-07

  theWit can be found in the May issue of Chicago Social. Link
  
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  theWit giftshop

  2009-04-22

  The giftshop at theWit is nearly complete.
  
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  theWit concrete painted

  2009-04-17

  Painting of exterior concrete is complete.
  
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  theWit guestrooms look great

  2009-04-06

  Guestrooms at theWit are nearing completion and look great.
  
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  theWit featured in the Sun Times

  2009-03-24

  theWit is featured in the Chicago Sun Times.  http://www.chicagoloopalliance.com/news.php?newsid=55&cat=all
  
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  theWit guard rails

  2009-02-18

  The glass Guardrails / Windscreen has been installed on the 27th floor at theWit.
  
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  theWit featured in the Chicago Tribune

  2009-01-04

  Blair Kamin cites theWit in his recent article as something to look forward to in 2009. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/jan/04/entertainment/chi-winter-arch-0104jan04
  
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  The Wit

  2008-07-16

  The site is cleared for The Wit Hotel construction to begin.
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  The Wit

  2008-07-10

  Preparing to pour the building core at The Wit.
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  Fairfield

  2008-07-03

  The wall pocket for the new built-in sofa at the Fairfield is complete.

   
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  The Wit

  2008-05-06

  The Wit Hotel begins to take shape. Concrete has reached the 14th floor.
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  The Wit

  2007-07-08

  Drilling caissons at The Wit.