GILDED TANK PROJECT
The water tanks of Chicago have a seminal connection to the history of the city.
They are a direct reaction to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
They are a distinctive presence on Chicago rooftops.
They are a symbol of the working man, woman and child.
They are a symbol of immigrant influence on the city - each reflecting the community that erected, maintained and benefited from them.
They are a symbol of our past.
Of our "broad shoulders" and ingenuity.
Of our grit.
Of our unique architecture.
Sadly, after so many years, only about 150 water tanks remain, many having finally given way to elements and time.
The initial project scopes 1 gilded water tank in each of the 26 Chicago neighborhoods surrounding the city center.
Gilding will give them new life.
They will glow differently throughout the seasons.
They will potentially last longer, as gold is an architectural restorative element.
They can remain a part of the city’s future.