Chicago Reflected

A unique and playful hand-drawn exploration of the Chicago River’s landscape, documented on an eleven-foot-long foldout.

In March 2020, architect Ryan Chester began drawing the Chicago River for at least one hour every day. Using only a simple pen, he moved methodically along a single massive roll of paper. As each chaotic, isolating day of the Covid pandemic passed, he stayed connected with his adopted city by carefully documenting by hand the beautiful intricacies of Chicago’s riverfront architecture, boats, and bridges.

As completed, Chester’s two-foot-high, fifty-five-foot-long drawing is a unique vision. In addition to dozens of accurately depicted buildings, Chester included pieces of Chicago's past, including the Union Station Concourse Building that was demolished in 1969 and the immense SS Eastland, which sank in the river in 1915, killing hundreds of people. Recent architecture is featured as well, including Studio Gang's St. Regis Chicago tower and the Bank of America Tower by Goettsch Partners.

Designed as a single accordion-folded, two-sided image, an essay booklet, and a printed slipcase, Chicago Reflected is a remarkable, fun volume that will delight any fan of Chicago, architecture, or art. Along with an essay by acclaimed writer Thomas Dyja, this book opens up fresh vistas of the stunning, ever-evolving architectural landscape that can be found only in Chicago.