Podcast Summary: Jeanne Gang: Understanding the Power of Architecture

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Grand Tourist with Dan Rubinstein
• Host: Dan Rubinstein
• Guest: Jeanne Gang, renowned architect and founder of Studio Gang
• Episode: Jeanne Gang: Understanding the Power of Architecture
• Release Date: May 28, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Grand Tourist, host Dan Rubinstein engages in an insightful conversation with Jeanne Gang, a prominent figure in contemporary architecture. Known for her innovative designs and commitment to sustainability, Gang shares her journey from a budding architect in Illinois to becoming a leading influencer in the architectural world. The discussion delves into her early inspirations, signature projects, architectural philosophy, and her passion for birding, offering listeners a comprehensive look into the mind of a visionary architect.

Early Life and Inspirations

Jeanne Gang's architectural journey began in the heart of Illinois, shaped significantly by her family's background and experiences.

• Family Influences: Gang recounts her formative years shaped by her engineer father and librarian mother. Summer vacations were often road trips aimed at exploring bridges and significant engineering feats, fostering her early appreciation for structures and the American landscape.

  "Road trips were, you know, kind of our vacation, summer vacations across the whole American 50 states... I also discovered during that time... a passion for landscape." [04:02]

• Nature and the Outdoors: Her mother's civic-mindedness and environmental activism instilled in her a deep respect for nature. This connection to the natural world became a cornerstone of her architectural approach.

  "This gave me a grounded sense of the relationships of all these different natural Elements to the built structures..." [05:53]

• Youthful Interests: As a 16-year-old, Gang was a naturalist at heart, preferring outdoor activities over traditional "girl type" toys, which translated into her driven nature and collaborative spirit in her professional life.

  "I was very driven to make things then similar to now... how we can make change... rallying people around ideas." [06:04]

Academic Pursuits and Professional Beginnings

Gang's academic path played a crucial role in shaping her architectural philosophy.

• Studying Abroad in France: Opting to study architecture and its history, Gang spent a year in Paris, immersing herself in Gothic architecture's emotive qualities and the city's formal landscape design.

  "I really love Gothic architecture... something about Gothic and its emotive qualities and its soaring structure." [09:06]

• Early Career at OMA: Post-graduation, Gang honed her skills at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) under Rem Koolhaas, where she gained invaluable experience working on projects like the Lille Grand Palais and a house in Bordeaux.

  "He was very open-minded and willing to give people a chance to do their best and to shine." [13:37]

• Founding Studio Gang: Driven by a desire to innovate, Gang established her own firm in Chicago in the late 1990s, focusing on projects that integrate nature and environment into architectural designs.

  "Chicago is one of the best architecture cities in the world... very excited about being part of that." [17:39]

Signature Projects

Jeanne Gang's portfolio is marked by transformative projects that blend aesthetics with functionality and sustainability.

Aqua Tower

One of Gang's most iconic works, the Aqua Tower, redefined Chicago's skyline with its undulating balconies and innovative design.

• Design Philosophy: The Aqua Tower features 86 stories with each floor slightly varied to create a wave-like effect, inspired by limestone outcrops along the Great Lakes formed by erosion.

  "Every floor is different, but they're slightly different slab edges, which are curvilinear... you see waves and fluidity to it." [25:48]

• Sustainability and Social Spaces: The design mitigates wind issues and fosters social interaction through its extended balconies, promoting a sense of community among residents.

  "It's a social building... people could go outside on their balcony... it's fully lived in and with a variety of people." [29:37]

Solstice on the Park

Located in Hyde Park, Solstice on the Park employs "solar carving" to optimize natural light and reduce heat gain.

• Innovative Facade: The building's angled walls are designed based on solstice sun angles, allowing for self-shading in summer while maximizing sunlight in winter.

  "We used the solstice, the angle of the solstice where, you know, it's springtime... it self shades." [32:59]

• Community and Environmental Integration: The design ensures that the building complements its surroundings, including views of the Museum of Science and Industry and the Obama presidential library.

American Museum of Natural History Expansion

Gang's recent project with CBS Sunday MORNING lauded her as one of the most important female architects globally.

• Public Engagement: The expansion emphasizes public spaces, such as a large atrium for socializing and a library that connects to the park, enhancing visitor experience.

  "It was unprecedented... having space that's really dedicated to the public." [39:09]

• Educational Impact: The design aims to inspire future generations by creating an engaging environment that fosters curiosity and appreciation for science.

  "It was a big part of the program is educational spaces... inspires the next generation of scientists and researchers." [41:12]

Architectural Philosophy and Actionable Idealism

Jeanne Gang advocates for "actionable idealism" in architecture—a philosophy that combines visionary ideas with practical steps to achieve meaningful change.

• Research-Driven Design: Gang emphasizes starting each project by understanding its context—climate, social dynamics, and existing structures—to create architecture that responds to its environment.

  "Start with what's there before you act... our methodology is based on our research." [36:37]

• Sustainable and Adaptive Reuse: Addressing current housing shortages, Gang focuses on converting existing buildings into functional housing, promoting sustainability and reducing carbon footprints.

  "What could become housing?... design it in a way that could be reversed into housing." [46:08]

• Educational Approach: Through her teaching, Gang encourages young architects to tackle complex issues by breaking them down into manageable projects that address broader societal and environmental challenges.

  "Addressing big issues even through a small project... navigate their way to develop positions." [48:48]

Passion for Birding and Connection to Nature

Beyond architecture, Gang is an avid birder, finding inspiration and connection to place through birding.

• Global Birding Experiences: Her birding hobby takes her around the world, enhancing her appreciation for biodiversity and influencing her architectural designs to support urban wildlife.

  "Every place I go for architecture, I always go birding... it's about place." [22:27]

• Integration of Nature: This passion underscores her commitment to integrating natural elements into urban environments, fostering biodiversity within cityscapes.

  "It's a nice little benefit for me when I work in different places..." [24:18]

Current and Future Projects

Jeanne Gang continues to push the boundaries of sustainable and socially responsible architecture.

• Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford: This project challenges Gang to create a space that embodies sustainability while serving as the new home for diverse scientific disciplines.

  "Addressing sustainability for something that's a sustainability school... make decisions that we want to be replicable." [46:56]

• Community-Centric Designs: Gang's ongoing work emphasizes buildings that serve as communal spaces, promoting interaction and environmental stewardship.

  "Architecture needs to take into account, use all their surfaces to support... enjoying the natural environment." [51:39]

Teaching and Mentorship

As an educator, Gang imparts her philosophy of actionable idealism to the next generation of architects.

• Holistic Education: She equips students with the tools to navigate complex environmental and social issues, fostering a mindset that prioritizes sustainable and impactful design.

  "Give them everything so that they can... navigate where they want to focus." [48:48]

• Real-World Challenges: Through projects like expanding the New England Aquarium, Gang prepares students to address multifaceted problems with creative and practical solutions.

  "Loading... it's really... loading... navigating their way to develop positions." [50:00]

Conclusion

Jeanne Gang embodies the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and social responsibility in architecture. Her commitment to actionable idealism and integrating nature into urban design challenges and inspires both her peers and the next generation of architects. Through her innovative projects and passionate mentorship, Gang continues to redefine the power and purpose of architecture in creating a more sustainable and connected world.

Notable Quotes

• Jeanne Gang on Birding:

  "Every place I go for architecture, I always go birding... it's about place." [22:27]

• On Actionable Idealism:

  "It's the actionable idealism mindset, to never give up and to just keep trying to find that issue that you can work toward." [44:16]

• On Architectural Impact:

  "It's important... to build... to reuse buildings... incorporate ideas about nature into the city." [51:39]

Credits

• Host: Dan Rubinstein
• Guest: Jeanne Gang
• Editor: Stan Hall

For more episodes and information, visit thegrandtourist.net.