Chicago: The Latest Architecture and News

Join us for a look at the fascinating life and public service of Dwight H. Perkins, the designer responsible for over 40 Chicago Public Schools. Along with his son, Lawrence, they were leaders in progressive school design best exemplified by the revolutionary Crow Island School building in Winnetka.

April marks the 200th anniversary of Frederick Law Olmsted’s birth. To celebrate, we're exploring the deeper legacy of this pioneering figure—designer, planner, educator, reformer, advocate, activist, inventor, innovator and enduring influencer.

In order to withstand the Windy City's namesake weather, some of Chicago’s tallest buildings are designed to sway in the breeze, which can leave residents and workers feeling seasick. Join us for a look at the innovative ways structural engineers minimize the sway -- you’ll be surprised by some of the very interesting solutions!

The 1835 Clarke House is Chicago’s oldest standing residence. It is preserved thanks to the stewardship of Bishop Henry Ford and the St. Church of God in Christ. Join us for a conversation about the house and opportunities to broaden the stories we tell about Chicagoans and our beloved city landmarks.

Join us for a special introduction to CAC’s Energy Revolution exhibition with architect and co‐curator Doug Farr. Learn how each of us can combat the climate crisis by dramatically transforming how we use energy in the built environment.

Videos

Shaping the City: A Forum for Sustainable Cities and Communities is a forum organized by the European Cultural Center in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Biennial.

Architect and engineer Werner Sobek has a knack for making the world’s most complex designs possible. His imaginative structural solutions have aided the work of Helmut Jahn, Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel, Rem Koolhaus and others over a fruitful career.

While COVID-19 has driven us indoors and online, Chicago architects have still been bringing their visions to life around town. In this special edition of our Current Projects series, we spotlight exciting new works from the past year. This program is part of Open House Chicago 2021.

Join the Chicago Architecture Center as we celebrate 25 years of the Driehaus Foundation Award, which encourages quality design in Chicago’s neighborhoods. Our panel discussion will explore the impact of the award and the unique and inspiring partnerships it has fostered. This program is part of Open House Chicago 2021.

Wrightwood 659 presents Romanticism to Ruin: Two Lost Works of Sullivan and Wright, a dual exhibition exploring two of these architects’ long-demolished masterpieces: Louis H. Sullivan’s innovative Garrick Theater, in Chicago, which stood for only sixty-nine years, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s unprecedented Larkin Building, in Buffalo, NY, which stood for just forty-four. The exhibition comprises two distinct presentations—Reconstructing the Garrick: Adler & Sullivan’s Lost Masterpiece and Reimagining the Larkin: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Modern Icon—bringing the essence of these two titans of modern American architecture to life. Comprising 3D models and digital re-creations of the original edifices; salvaged architectural ornaments and artifacts; original furniture; historical documentation of the design, construction, and demise of the buildings; archival photographs taken by noted preservationist and photographer Richard Nickel; drawings, and historical ephemera, Romanticism to Ruin demonstrates how these iconic designs continue to resonate and remain relevant.