Auto Show – The Architecture Files

Of course as an architect when I went to the auto show I wasn’t just looking at the cars. Now overall I must say if I was judging the show based on the booths I would have been sadly disappointed but luckily the filled them (as planned of course) and it was a great show.

Chicago Auto Show 2012

Without a doubt I think one booth really stood up above the rest: Cadillac

Cadillac Booth

The Cadillac booth caught my attention from across McCormick Place. It was a very simple white-fabric covered steel frame but the simple angular move they made was striking. It definitely helped that the structure seemed to be glowing as well helping make it stand out even more against the dark ceiling.

Underside of Cadillac Booth

Coming in second was the booth that happened to also have the best car at the show: Lexus

Lexus Booth

Again the booth was very simple but this time there was a bit more curves and color. The cars were just shown on regular platforms but what stood out was the large folding fabric sheet (not really sure what to call it). It was effective in creating a simple non-intrusive backdrop that slowly rotated through colors that livened up the space. It was a bit disappointing that they put a giant TV screen over part of the sheet but I do get that they want to show images of their cars, it is sort of the point of the show.

Close up of Lexus Logo

Hovering just under the giant Lexus logo was the best car at the show.

Lexus LF-LC

Even more impressive is the fact that it is a hybrid!

A few other highlights of the show include the VW booth.

VW Booth

It was rather simple overall but I liked the two angled light banks they had. It was a nice move that helped to make it stand out above most of the other ones who kept to very basic booths. Then there was the material used at the Buick booth:

Buick Glass

It was a simple patterned glass that was back-lit with green lights that created a very nice detail. There was also the Scion booth which had a really cool image displayed on the over-sized screen above the booth.

Scion Screen

Finally one of the coolest moments was Lincoln’s use of the Hoberman Sphere.

Lincoln Hoberman Sphere

Hoberman Spheres are fun by themselves but when you automate them they create really interesting pieces that can definitely catch attention. Sadly Lincoln hid them behind a screen so they were not quite as instantly interesting as the photo above from a distance. And I shall end with another photo of the Cadillac booth:

Cadillac Booth

What were your thoughts and do you agree with me on what exhibits were interesting?

Tags: Aric Austermann, Auto Show, Buick, Cadillac, Chicago, displays, Hoberman, Kaycee Kenney, Lexus, Lexus LF-LC, Lincoln, Mark Swingler, Nicole Karns, Ryan Bloom, Scion, Volkswagon