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10 Great Things To See in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago

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10. The Role of Natural Light

The main hall of the Modern Wing is lit almost entirely by natural light.

Jennifer Roche
I think the role of natural light in the Modern Wing is one of the stories that will continue to emerge as this new building seeps into our architectural landscape and our personal experiences.

I don't think there is another building in the city where light plays such a dramatic role. From the moving blinds and finely-calibrated lighting systems to the "flying carpet" roofline, experiencing the natural light in this space is a notable part of the Modern Wing experience. Oddly enough, it's also part of what seems incredibly new about the place.

And, just as a bonus for the top 10 and to reward you for reading this far, here's number 11: Terzo Piano. Paris-based architect Renzo Piano may have had Les Chevaux de Marly, the restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Louvre, in mind when he envisioned this restaurant overlooking Millennium Park. I predict it will be a beloved culinary and civic mainstay in no time.

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