Radio series to look at life at Aqua, Marina City

Producers looking for personal stories from residents

14-Jul-10 – A new public radio series and web podcast is looking for stories from Marina City residents.

“One Nation, Under Construction” is studying high-rise communities, why they look the way they do, and how their design creates a framework for the lives of residents.

Two award-winning public radio reporters in Chicago are producing the series. Julianne Hill’s work has been heard and seen on Chicago Public Radio, PBS, and The History Channel. Edward Lifson covers urban architecture and culture and has been heard on National Public Radio, CNN, and BBC.

Lifson created and hosted an award-winning weekly program on Chicago Public Radio called “Hello Beautiful” that was about art, architecture, and culture. He also conducted the last interview with Chicago writer Studs Terkel.

They are working on a segment that will examine life at Marina City and Aqua (above), the 82-story mixed-use skyscraper in the Loop that was completed this year.

Hill says she is looking for residents with personal stories to tell. “Are there people who met and fell in love in the elevators? Who met a new business partner in the parking lot? Who found support during a hard time from other residents? What have residents learned because of the building and its design?”

The segment is planned for September. Hill may be reached by email at julianne_hill@ameritech.net.