Sophy Hotel

SGH designed the structure to maximize the floor-to-floor heights, while keeping the overall building height under the limit that would invoke City of Chicago code provisions for high-rise structures. Highlights of the structural design include the following:

• A structural steel podium level to transfer the superstructure loads to columns set at wider bays to accommodate a restaurant, lobby lounge, and other common areas
• Six-story superstructure with steel stud bearing walls supporting concrete slabs on steel deck with structural steel framing to accomplish longer spans for bigger rooms, such as suites and conferences rooms
• Steel framing embedded into the floor slabs to avoid drops below the ceiling and fabricated with modified shapes, allowing the top flange to be hidden within the walls above (top right image)
• Second floor transfer level designed with large beam openings permitting mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to pass through the structure, minimizing the intrusion into the first floor
• Full-height facade support structure, similar to a balloon frame, outside of the slab edge to support the articulated brick veneer and eliminated relieving angles by engineering the system instead of applying prescriptive code requirements
• Architecturally exposed stainless steel canopies and overhangs