[ardecila]

^ But clearly that isn't always the case. If "on time and on budget" were so important in these competitions, Calatrava would have never been a finalist for the O'Hare 21 terminal.

To me, it seems like our public officials are letting themselves be dazzled by the fancy presentations these firms put out, likely created with small armies of unpaid labor.

Also, while competitions absolutely should not be purely about "cool form-making", it's clear that U of I wants a flashy, distinctive landmark on an enormous blank slate site. A subtle, elegant work is not what they are looking for. In this case, I agree with them - the site needs a landmark to earn a place in the mental map of Chicagoans, just like Hudson Yards needed Vessel or Lakeshore East needed Aqua.