Roosevelt Station, Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago, IL
Architect (design)--Daniel P. Coffey & Associates Ltd., Chicago
Architect (of record)--Muller & Muller P.C. Ltd., Chicago
Masonry Contractor--Zielke Masonry Inc., Chicago

As profiled in the July 1997 Masonry Construction magazine, Chicago's Roosevelt station was just another dilapidated subway stop, until a major overhaul that incorporated Elgin Butler Structural Glazed Facing Tile (SGT). This Chicago Transit Authority station now welcomes passengers with aesthetically pleasing murals of the city's striking skyline made of our SGT. The project called for 33,000 ceramic glazed pieces--mostly 2" x 8" x 8" units, with some 4" x 8" x 8", plus Architectural Trim Units. This below grade veneer was designed and constructed with "severe weathering" consideration.

The Chicago skyline silhouettes are rendered within three custom shades of blue. The various building designs are made from only eight different units--a result of the architect and the Elgin Butler design team working closely together on this project. Bands of red double bullnose units sit atop blue wainscoting and accent the station's name. The bright colors are cheerful and help make the underground tunnel areas seem larger. The serpentine walls are easy to construct with SGT and are effective in directing people from one point to another in a safe and secure environment.

SGT was chosen for the subway station largely because of its durability and ease of maintenance, especially its resistance to graffiti and other common stains. Vandals actually defaced the walls with red spray paint during the construction. Workers easily wiped off the graffiti with just a mild cleaner.

(Reference: Schierhorn, Carolyn. "Structural Glazed Tile Brightens Chicago Subway." Masonry Construction, volume 10, number 7; July 1997.)

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