Jong Soung Kimm
“An Exhibition Hall” (MS 1964)
Advisor: Myron Goldsmith
Others acknowledged: David Sharpe
Material: Steel
Structural system: Welded steel frame, one-way expression
Maximum span: 84 ft.
“A clear structure is the basis of an architectural expression.”
Jong Soung Kimm’s thesis built on the history of world renowned exhibition halls like the Galerie des Machines in Paris, and Mies’s advancements in steel construction. His proposal for an exhibition hall was to be an “all-purpose museum” -- a flexible, neutral space that could accommodate exhibits of varying character and magnitude. He considered clear span structures, like Crown Hall (1955) and Mannheim Theater (1953), which are one-way systems, and two-way systems like the Convention Hall project (1953) and the Schaefer Museum project in Berlin (1963). He also considered columnar bay structures, which he ultimately favored due to less height being required for the structure and the scalar reference provided by the columns.
The proposed building is 432 feet by 252 feet with exposed girders and columns and ceiling panels suspended between. The building contains a 400-seat auditorium, interior court, kitchen, lounge, and other support spaces. The 48 by 84 foot rectangular bays were thought to be flexible enough to accommodate various large exhibition needs. A court or courts are natural means of subdividing space, and also of admitting light into the space.
The proposed building was situated on the former Chicago World’s Fair site, south of the Museum of Science and Industry facing the lagoon. The low-massed, earth-hugging building with white painted steel structure, generously proportioned bronze tinted glass panels, and warm toned granite floor and terrace at one with the landscape, provided a counterpoint to the 1893 architectural expression of the “White City”.
