[ardecila]

It looks like the OMA design has the rounded glass facing north; the southern exposure is a flat wall with louvers to shade against summer sun. I also assume that detailed energy modeling will be performed on this design to ensure that it can be heated and cooled effectively. The project brief has a goal of LEED Platinum so they can't screw up the energy efficiency aspect.

As for the Thompson Center, it's pretty obvious to me that the decision to sell is purely about the money, and Pritzker's opinion that a full block in the heart of the Loop should be used for private business rather than state government. Plus if the state loses the Thompson Center, all those departments have to be placed into privately owned buildings, probably a sweetheart deal at above-market rents.