Northwestern University's plans to build a new biomedical research facility in Chicago on the site of iconic Prentice Hospital caused an uproar of opposition in July. In an effort to save Prentice, Jeanne Gang of Gang Architects has produced an idea to build their new facility on top of the existing hospital.

The university claims the proposed 1.2 million square foot building, if approved by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, would create jobs, attract federal research funding and more capably contain the University's programs.

Find previous CTBUH coverage of efforts to prevent the demolition here.

The mayor has not decided whether to endorse the demolition of Prentice, which was designed by architect Bertrand Goldberg in 1975, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Studio Gang's proposal includes the original Prentice building and above it an approximately 30 story tower, connected to the neighboring buildings by illuminated skybridges.

"We applaud the creativity Jeanne Gang has shown with this design; we wish Northwestern would show the same openness to other possibilities," the Save Prentice Coalition told Crain's Chicago (registration). "Ms. Gang understands that the way to encourage future innovation is not to destroy it but to honor it."