HEAR BELOW 2022: Maps and Sonic Points of Interest
Pedway Route Overview
1 mile round trip, about 25 -30 min
IMAGE: Map of the Chicago Pedway System
Image Credit: City of Chicago
LISTEN to the complete HEAR BELOW: My Pedway Soundwalk
Microphone: Roland CS-10EM Binaural Microphones
Directions and Parking for HEAR BELOW: My Pedway Soundwalk
The 2022 HEAR BELOW: My Pedway Soundwalk is an east-west route beginning at Chicago’s Millennium Station (roughly Randolph and Michigan) and depending on the day of the week, ending at the State of Illinois Building or the Blue Line station. You may be travel it in either direction, depending on how you arrive in the loop and/or where you choose to park. (See the trailheads in the map below.) How you choose to navigate the sound trail, what other plans you have downtown, and how much you are willing to pay for parking, will determine how you will get to HEAR BELOW and where to park. It’s all up to you, it’s your soundwalk.
If you are beginning at Millennium Station, street parking is available on Columbus Drive south of Monroe. You have to pay the meters during the day and on weekends. Carefully check the parking regulations because you don’t want to have to go to lower, lower Randolph Street to retrieve you vehicle. You might also find parking north of the river; again, read the parking signs carefully. If you wish to start from the west, parking is a little easier on the west side of the south branch of the Chicago River. As always pay attention to the parking regulations. From either end it’s a short to medium length walk to the beginning of either end of the Hear Below soundwalk. On the other hand, if you take the CTA, the Red Line will let you off underground at State and Lake, the Brown and Green Lines have an elevated stop at Washington and Wabash, and the Blue line has an underground stop at Washington and Dearborn (the west end of the Pedway soundwalk).
A Note on WiFi. For the most part, plan for limited WiFi in the pedway. Data should be available throughout the pedway and is dependent on your carrier. Our advice is to plan ahead to load maps before starting your soundwalk. GPS, while not as accurate underground as above ground should be relatively accurate.
My Pedway Soundwalk Map and Route
Weekday Route
You may travel east to west beginning at (Trailhead 1) from the Millennium Station pedway entrance. Once in the pedway travel east to make your way towards Millennium Station hallway, and concourse, followed by Metra and South Shore Line lobbies. Once you’ve made your way through Millennium station, return back to trailhead 1 and head west from entrance to access the Chicago Cultural Center section of the pedway. Follow through the Heritage Millennium, followed by Macy’s, Block 37, Daley Center, City Hall, and end at the James R. Thompson Center. This soundwalk can also begin from (Trailhead 3) traveling west to east and end at your desired location. For a shorter walk during the week begin at Daley Center (Trailhead 2) and end at James R. Thompson Center.
Weekend Route
During the weekend Daley Center and City hall are closed and the pedway is inaccessible. One can begin at Millennium Station (Trailhead 1) and make their way through Block 37 where one exits at Daley Center/Washington Station (Trailhead 2). This route can also be experienced beginning at Daley Center (Trailhead 2) and ending at Millennium Station (Trailhead 1). If you are desiring an additional sonic point of interest to explore, make your way to street level on W. Randolph St and head west towards S Clark St. where one can enter the James. R Thompson Center (State of Illinois Building).
• • •
Let’s Get Started – Breathing Exercise
When you get to the beginning of the HEAR BELOW soundwalk, take some time to slow down before beginning your walk. Relax your body, feel your feet firmly on the ground and let your arms hang loosely at your sides. If you are comfortable, close your eyes. Breath in through your nose for five counts, hold it for five counts, and breath out of your mouth for five counts. Repeat three to five times, until you feel yourself slowing down and relaxing.
Continue breathing and listen to the sounds all around you. Listen to the sounds closest to you. Are they constant or sustained, or are they intermittent? Next listen for the sounds farther away from you. Again, ask yourself are they constant or intermittent? Finally, listen for the sounds farthest away from you, ones you can barely hear. Are these sounds constant or intermittent? Are any of the sounds you are hearing unusual? Are you hearing things you don’t expect?
Take a few more breaths as you have been doing. When you are ready, open your eyes and begin the HEAR BELOW soundwalk. As you proceed, it is best to walk in silence. A soundwalk is intended to be a personal listening experience. If you are walking with someone else, save your thoughts to the end of the walk before having a conversation. The sound of your footsteps becomes part of the walk, listen to the leaves, gravel, and pavement under your feet. Pause at each of the following sonic points of interest. Listen to the sound around you, read the description, and listen to the brief recording.
• • •
SONIC POINTS OF INTEREST
1. Millennium Station
Pedway Entrance
GPS: 41°52’59” N 87°37’29″W, 590 ft Elevation
Access: Elevator and Stairs from Street-Level
Microphone: Zoom H6 M/S
DESCRIPTION
Entry to Millennium Station is located at the intersection of Randolph and Michigan Ave. next to the Chicago Cultural Center building. One can access the pedway through the Millennium station entrance or through the Randolph St. Lobby. Keep an eye/ear out for a Divvy bike stand that is located next to the stairs.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
The Millennium Station pedway entrance drones with bustling traffic, commuters, and mechanical noise from flickering lights and the air ventilation moving through the passageways. The multiple passageways that branch off from the stairs allow for the drone of the city traffic to wash through the corridors, blending into the rhythmic pattern of the revolving door that occasionally pushes through sounds from the other connected passageways creating a multidimensional sense of space.
IMAGE: Stairs to Randolph and Michigan Ave from the pedway
Image Credit: Christophe Preissing
LISTEN:
Millennium Station Concourse
GPS: 41°53’04.0″N 87°37’26.0″W
Access: Pedway from Millennium Station street level entrance
DESCRIPTION
As you move through the entrance hallway, you will end up in the Millennium Station concourse, a lively space surrounded by a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and a waiting area for the Metra and South Shore stations. Painted lines on the floor guide commuters through the concourse making the route feel more like an airport than a sub-ground passageway.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
This section of the concourse is heavily trafficked by commuters, shop workers, and people seeking temporary shelter in the waiting area of the Metra station. Muffled conversations, movement of winter clothing, and wet footsteps become sonic accompaniment to the continuous drone that fills the pedway as air moves through the passageways from section to section.
IMAGE: Millennium Station Concourse waiting area with entrance to the Metra on the left and South Shore on the right
Image Credit: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
South Lobby of the South Water Street Metra Station
Access: Pedway from Millennium Station street level entrance
DESCRIPTION
From the concourse, you are led to another waiting area of the Metra station, where there is a stark contrast between the materials and acoustics of the space as you move from terrazzo to concrete flooring. As this point of the pedway leads down to the Metra track, commuters waiting for the next train sit, wait, and listen to the voice guiding you to the numbered tracks.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
Commuters waiting for the next train sitting on worn wooden benches, sounds of luggage rolling through the space fill the space. The mechanical voice creates a rhythmic pattern that guides the listener in the space to either platform #1, #2, or #3. When the announcer’s voice is transduced through the intercom, the voice overpowers the rhythmic sonic guiding cues that help the listener tune in to important announcements regarding approaching and departing trains.
IMAGE: South Lobby of South Water Street Metra Station with stairs and ramp leading down to the Metra platforms
Image Credit: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.landmarks.org/michigan-avenue-streetwall/
https://www.mysouthshoreline.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Shore_Line
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Station
2. Chicago Cultural Center
GPS: 41°53’02.3″N 87°37’29.7″W
Access: Elevator and stairs accessible from street-level
Microphone: Zoom H6 XY
Chicago Cultural Center Hallway
DESCRIPTION
The Chicago Cultural Center—Chicago’s first public library—was built in 1897 between Washington and Randolph Streets. Entry to the Chicago Cultural Center pedway level is accessible from the southwest corner of Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
As you move through the pedway and enter the Chicago Cultural Center pedway level, one is led to a resonant hallway where the movement of air fills the space against the hard surface walls and floors. Commuters opening and closing doors reflect on all surfaces and sounds from the busy streets fading in and out as commuters shape the subtle meditative like drone.
IMAGE: Pedway elevator entrance to the Chicago Cultural Center
Image Credit: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
Chicago Cultural Center Elevator
DESCRIPTION
A gold elevator sits directly in front of a circular medallion on the floor and between two images of the Chicago Cultural Center’s Tiffany Dome signaling to commuters what lies above. Standing at the center of the medallion in the hallway, face the elevator and listen to the entryways with revolving doors.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
The whirring, squeaky, mechanical noise emanating from the elevator waiting to be used resonates in the hallway. As commuters walk by and access the elevator, notice how calling the elevator cues the sonic qualities of the mechanics that characterize the elevator’s age.
LISTEN:
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.chipublib.org/blogs/post/history-of-grant-park-1931-to-1970/
http://www.landmarks.org/michigan-avenue-streetwall/
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/the_people_s_palacethestoryofthechicagoculturalcenter.html
3. The Heritage Millennium
GPS: 41°53’02.2″ N 87°37’40.3″W
Access: Underneath Randolph Street one block away from Michigan Avenue
Microphone: Zoom H6 XY
DESCRIPTION
The Heritage Pedway sits beneath Randolph Street one block away from Michigan Avenue. In this section of the pedway, one can find a mural that depicts Chicago’s creatives that was painted by SAIC students. In addition to the mural, this section of the pedway houses the independent art gallery, Space p11. Additional vacant spaces are for lease with facades depicting open businesses with merchants that only seems to amplify the continuous, empty hum that fills the space.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
The Heritage Pedway provides a unique opportunity to walk around the mural and experience different moments of sonic immersion as you turn each corner. As you move in closer and away from various area of this section, a composition begins to unfold that is made up of commuters walking by opening and closing doors accompanied by the constant hum of mechanical systems at work.
IMAGE 1: Mural celebrating influential creatives in Chicago made by SAIC students.
IMAGE 2: Door entry that leads to stairs to the street level of the Heritage Millennium
Image Credits: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
MORE INFORMATION
https://depauliaonline.com/35611/artslife/chicago-has-my-heart/
https://space-p11.com (55 E Randolph Street, Pedway Level, Chicago)
4. Macy’s Pedway
GPS: 41°53’03.9″N 87°37’37.9″W
Access: Hallway from Chicago Cultural Center entrance from Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street.
Microphone: Zoom H6 XY
Macy’s Stained-Glass Hallway
DESCRIPTION
Today, the Macy’s pedway is a well-lit, and maintained section of the pedway, that connects commuters to the iconic 1890’s Marshall field and company building. Art installations provide a vibrant experience when moving through the pedway, currently there is a back-lit stained glass window installation that was moved from navy pier that is a collection from the Smith Museum. However this section of the pedway has not always been as well maintained and in 2017 The Environmental Law and Policy Center, Broadway in Chicago and the Chicago Loop Alliance put together a study in 2017 on plans on how to improve the pedway that resulted in a $12.5 million proposal grant to repair and update the pedway.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
As you move from one passage to the next pop music fills the hallway pouring out in both directions reflecting off the terrazzo flooring and tiled walls. Commuters entering at different times at opposite ends of the passageway create shifting tones as their footsteps and voices carry along the pedway sonifying the vastness of the space.
IMAGE 1: Stained-Glass installation in Macy’s Pedway.
IMAGE 2: Illustrations on the walls of the pedway made by SAIC faculty that depicts commuters walking along pedway.
Image Credits: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
Macy’s Pedway Towards LaSalle Street
DESCRIPTION
Corner on the North end of the Macy’s pedway, surrounded by tiled walls, at opposite end of revolving door.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
As the revolving doors circulate the hum from the connected section of the pedway, an ominous low hum crescendos to a quick stop that fades into a long decay into the opposite end of the hallway that gets mixed with the constant music emanating from Macy’s.
IMAGES: Walking through Macy’s pedway towards LaSalle Street.
Image Credits: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-macys-pedway-cleanup-getting-around-20190117-story.html
5. Block 37
GPS: 41°53’01.9″N 87°37’45.4″W
Access: 108 North State St. Pedway level of block 37
Microphone: Zoom H6 XY
DESCRIPTION
As you move through Macy’s Pedway one enters the pedway level of the Block 27 shopping mall. When entering this space there are restaurants, kiosks where one can pay to polish their jewelry, and buy a new watch or a donut.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
Upon entering Block 37 the high pitch whirring of a polishing machine works away that pervades through the various pop music playing through radios inside the shops and at kiosks stands. Midway through the pedway level of Block 37 the structure opens up and one can peer up and listen to the sublevel activity get lost in the air. As you move through block 37, notice how the distant high pitch sounds fade into the background the further you move away.
IMAGES: Block 37 Pedway shops and elevator.
Image Credits: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/146.html
6. Richard J. Daley Center
GPS:41°53’01.9″N 87°37’45.4″W
Access: Stair access from Dearborn *weekday access only*
Microphone: Shure VP88 M/S
DESCRIPTION
While moving along the pedway level of the center that sits below 31 floors, one is guided by a long hallway that occasionally branches off into extended hallways that lead to county courtrooms and offices. Originally known as the Civic Center, the Daley Center was the first building to be designed in a modern architecture style that features a simple design that contrasts with the ornate architecture present in the adjacent City Hall.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
As you move along the pedway and engage with the various doors, listen to the movement of air between passageways that gets pushed through the revolving and opening/closing doors. Notice how the acoustics of the space shift from one end of the hallway to the next as you pass rooms, escalators, hallways and subtly shifting surface materials.
IMAGES: Pedway access to the Daley Center at the intersection of Dearborn and Washington Street and across from the untitled Picasso sculpture.
Image Credits: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
MORE INFORMATION
http://thedaleycenter.com/
7. City Hall / County Building
GPS: 41°53’02.4″N 87°37’55.5″W
Access: From Richard J. Daley Center / Street access from Randolph Street
Microphone: Shure VP88 M/S
DESCRIPTION
City Hall also known as the county building was built in a neo classical architecture style that opened in 1911. One can ride the elevator or escalator to the first floor where one is greeted by grand high ceilings, marbled floors, and countless security guards and city hall workers.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
The movement between the pedway level and street level of city hall is a stark contrast not just through it’s architectural features but the sonic shift that illustrates the varying uses of materials in the space that shape how sound travels throughout city hall that gives it it’s own sonic signature.
IMAGES: First Level of City Hall.
Image Credits: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/2015/01/26/a-history-of-the-cook-countycity-hall-building/
8. James R. Thompson Center
GPS:41°53’07.2″N 87°37’53.9″W
Access: Pedway from City Hall / CTA/Metra stations / Street access from W. Randolph
Microphone: Shure VP88 M/S
DESCRIPTION
Formerly known as The State of Illinois Building, the James R. Thompson Center is a post-modern style civic building 100 West Randolph Street in the Loop district of Chicago. Inside the center, one can find the atrium mall that houses a variety of shops and restaurants where one can dine and get a haircut all in the same location. Outside of the center is the Jean Dubuffet’s Monument with Standing Beast sculpture that emulates a free-form open like structure that nods to the interior architecture within the center.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
As you enter the center from the pedway level, walk around the food court level to experience the various sounds at play as you move along the ground level. Find the two escalators and stand between them, notice how sound travels between the two walls of the elevators. Make your way up the escalator to experience the vastness that the center’s architecture has to offer.
IMAGES: Interior view from the pedway and street levels of the James R. Thompson Center.
Image Credits: Jeanette Dominguez
LISTEN:
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_s_publicartjeandubuffetsmonumentwithstandingbeast.html
• • •
When you get to the end of the HEAR BELOW soundwalk, take a few moments to relax before exiting the pedway. Take a few deep breaths as you did before the soundwalk and think about what you have heard and witnessed. Think about the world of sounds and sights of the pedway. What is unique about each of the spaces below and above the street level and how does the architecture and materials reflect the sound of the different spaces? How is the east part of the walk—through the Milliennium Station and the Chicago Cultural Center—different from west part of the walk—through the shopping centers, train stations and cavernous spaces like those in City Hall. How is the sound different and why?
We welcome your thoughts and reflections on these questions and on your soundwalk experience. Post your images and videos to social media using the hashtag #hearbelow. If you would like to share them with us so we can share them with others, you may comment below, or if you would like to share audio, video, or still images from your soundwalk, please contact us.