Lookingglass Theatre

This theatre’s new street-facing lobby, housed within the 1869 Chicago Avenue Pumping Station-a Gothic Revival landmark-makes a bold visual statement from the moment of entry. A unique adaptive reuse project, the space invites closer attention through layered detail. Brass divider strips and more than 600 precast terrazzo squares are set by hand within the poured-in-place floor. The composition wraps stair edges and crosses transitions, guiding circulation. Using a single terrazzo surface across stairs, ramps, and level changes in the historic structure, the integral design organizes movement while asserting a confident new identity.