Fountain of Time

Chicago, Illinois

Client: Art Institue of Chicago — Ferguson Fund

Cost: $1,000,000

The Fountain of Time is located at the west end of the Midway Plaisance in Hyde Park. The fountain was designed by Sculptor Lorado Taft as part of a comprehensive scheme for the Midway, originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted as part of the Chicago South Park System. Taft worked with concrete engineer J.J. Earley to realize the construction of the cast-in-place, exposed aggregate sculpture that measures 120 feet long by 18 feet high by 14 feet wide.

BauerLatoza Studio conducted a two-phase restoration program for the Fountain of Time, including a 106 project review with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Phase I included the stabilization of the sculpture, which had extensive cracking and spalling of the concrete. Laboratory testing duplicated the original concrete mix design. Control and expansion joints were incorporated into the sculpture to prevent further cracking. A ventilation system was installed to assist in the elimination of thermal movement. Phase II included a new cementitious finish to the sculpture.