The temporary structure, a centrepiece of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the publication of Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett’s groundbreaking plan for the American city, was nearly two months late when it was opened in early August.

Delays were caused by complications with the pavilion’s manufacture - the structure is made of 7,000 pieces of aluminum covered in a skin of fabric - as well as the replacement of the contractor.

Meanwhile a ‘sister’ Burnham pavilion by Ben van Berkel and UNStudio had to be ‘pulled for repairs’ due to excessive wear and tear.


Previous story - 8 July 2009

‘Too complicated’ Zaha Chicago pavilion delayed yet again

Already behind schedule, Chicago pavilion suffers further setback as current contractor is replaced

As a result, at least six weeks of its four-and-a-half month public display have been lost. The pavilion was one of two contemporary structures designed to mark the 100th anniversary of Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett’s plan of Chicago, and the leaders of the Burnham Plan Centennial Committee have been left sorely disappointed.

Fabric Images has now replaced TenFab Design as contractor. The structure will be made up of 7,000 pieces of aluminum covered in a skin of fabric - the intricate design proving too much of a challenge for TenFab.

‘We’re pleased that we’re able to find somebody local who could take it over and still give us a good part of the summer and fall. It doesn’t close until the end of October,’ said Emily Harris, executive director of the Burnham Plan Centennial Committee.


Harris said the contract with Fabric Images calls for completion by 1 August, with penalties to be extracted if delays occur.