As the name implies, Hotel EMC2—as in Albert Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence or E = mc2—is a science-themed hotel. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, the hotel was designed to be a one-of-a-kind space inspired by science, art and cuisine. The exterior of the 21-story hotel has a sleek aesthetic, utilizing Dri-Design Metal Wall Panels to achieve it’s modern look.
“We were asked to develop a tower facade that fit a hotel-room module, introduce a diagonal geometry to the facade and use a subtle but identifiable color range to make a pattern,” explains Kevin Parzych, architectural designer for KOO and Associates, Chicago. The architects did consider brick veneer, but the metal wall panels were a lighter, more dynamic option. The Dri-Design metal panels also offer rainscreen capabilities, meet NFPA 285 and have a wide variety of color and finish options with customization available.