Uploaded September 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Access to natural light and air in tall buildings is a common design challenge for architects in Chicago. Burnham & Root understood this challenge and designed a building to mitigate this challenge. Root designed The Rookery with a central light well so every room in the building had access to light. The first two floors were then enclosed with a glass ceiling, creating a well lit, aesthetically pleasing gathering space for building visitors and tenants. Visit architecture.org/buildings to learn more about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and discover how Chicago’s rich architectural legacy was built.
Access to natural light and air in tall buildings is a common design challenge for architects in Chicago. Burnham & Root understood this challenge and designed a building to mitigate this challenge. Root designed The Rookery with a central light well so every room in the building had access to light. The first two floors were then enclosed with a glass ceiling, creating a well lit, aesthetically pleasing gathering space for building visitors and tenants. Visit architecture.org/buildings to learn more about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and discover how Chicago’s rich architectural legacy was built.
