Chicago Architecture Center

Congratulations to Englewood photographer, social justice artist and friend of the CAC Tonika Johnson for being named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow! We've been honored to feature her work at the CAC in recent years. The movie of Johnson’s nationally recognized FOLDED MAP PROJECT – which visualizes our city’s segregation by connecting “map twins” (residents living on the same street but miles apart in racially and economically different neighborhoods) – screened at CAC in 2023. And her 2024 book DON'T GO: STORIES OF SEGREGATION AND HOW TO DISRUPT IT, was the subject of a sold-out February conversation here where she and co-author Maria Krysan discussed actionable ways to disrupt harmful cycles of disinvestment and resource disparity across Chicago’s neighborhoods and built environment. The MacArthur Genius Grant recognizes “exceptional creativity” and potential for future work. #allfortheloveofchicago https://lnkd.in/gvciHasw

At our 2025 Designing Futures Gala, the Chicago Architecture Center was proud to present the 2025 Lynn J. Osmond Legacy Award to AIA Chicago Executive Director Jen Masengarb, Assoc AIA.    Jen got her start with the Chicago Architecture Center where she expanded the scholarship of the CAC docent training program, widely considered the gold standard in volunteer education. During her tenure, Jen played a pivotal role in shaping our exhibitions, programs and the 2018 opening of our current space on East Wacker. She brought scholarship and storytelling together in a way that made architecture accessible and inspiring for thousands of Chicagoans and visitors.    Her international experience at the Danish Architecture Center (Dansk Arkitektur Center) expanded her perspective, strengthening her ability to connect global ideas with local communities. Today, as the Executive Director of AIA Chicago, she continues her legacy of advocacy, leadership and mentorship, elevating the profession and supporting the architects who are shaping our city’s future.    For more than 20 years, Jen has been an advocate for the profession of architecture and a passionate educator, ensuring that design is not just something to admire, but something to understand.

See Chicago through a different lens when Chicago Loop Alliance brings the Better Cities Film Festival to the Loop October 9-11. Discover powerful films focused on building cities that are more sustainable, equitable, and livable for all. Feature Films include: 🚶➡️Walkable USA: Uncover the impact of city planning and possible solutions to years of car-centric design. 🌿 From Rails to Trails: Explores the rise of the U.S. rails-to-trails movement, transforming abandoned railroads into vibrant trails. Learn more at LoopChicago.com/BCFF

Big congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to Chicago Architecture Center docent and Albany Park-based author Barry Pearce for shining a spotlight on Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods in all that he does: through his CAC tours and, now, through his award-winning fiction. Dubbed “the modern-day Algren,” Barry’s neighborhood narratives are compiled in his new book, THE PLAN OF CHICAGO: A CITY IN STORIES, hitting retailers (including the CAC Design Store) on November 11. In the meantime, keep an eye out for Barry leading CAC’s “A Walk Through Time” and “Chicago Icons” walking tours. And check out his Chicago magazine profile: https://lnkd.in/gfnNianc

If you're working to preserve a place in your South Side neighborhood, Landmarks Illinois can help! The organization is now accepting grant applications for its Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side. This grant program provides financial support to people preserving and promoting the history, culture and architecture of Chicago’s South Side. Both nonprofits and for-profit entities can apply. Grants range from $500 to $10,000 each and are awarded on a 3:1 matching basis. Applications are due October 1. Learn more at the Landmarks Illinois website: https://lnkd.in/grqpjrGA

This is why Chicago is the best city in the world for design. Last Thursday night you had your choice of attending the “New Architecture in a New World” panel moderated by Dirk Denison, Director of the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize, at CAC’s Gand Lecture Hall with an international panel comprising Sol Camacho (RADDAR (Research as Design / Design as Research), São Paulo), Juan Carlos Bamba Vicente (BAMBA Studio, Madrid), Michael Maltzan (Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc., Los Angeles) and Stanley Allen (Stan Allen Architect). Or you could go to AIA Chicago’s DesignNight at the Harris Theater where the Chicago Architecture Center awarded the Lerch Bates People's Choice Awards. Or you could dine with artists, designers, gallerists, business leaders and educators at the historic Peoria Street location of Hedrich Blessing Photographers for Chicago Exhibition Weekend’s VIP kickoff dinner, presented by GERTIE. Then Friday morning, start all over again with the sixth Chicago Architecture Biennial which officially kicked off in the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall. #allfortheloveofchicago

Good news to celebrate! Thrive Englewood, the neighborhood's first family housing development in more than 50 years, has begun welcoming residents. Over 80 percent of the apartments will be affordable for families earning up to 60 percent of the area’s median income. In addition to apartments, the development features live/work lofts and retail space. Block Club Chicago reports: “With the opening of Thrive Englewood, we signal a new era in Englewood,” Leon Walker, DL3 Realty’s CEO and founder said. “One defined by sustained investments, respect and opportunity. Today is a testament to our belief in housing as a human right, and it is a testament to our commitment to investing in Englewood and communities like it across the South and West sides, so that they no longer bear the scars of disinvestment and neglect, but rather the points of pride.” https://lnkd.in/gGf6puFp Photo: DL3 Realty #Chicago #architecture #Englewood #allfortheloveofChicago #ThriveEnglewood

The sites for Open House Chicago 2025 have been revealed for the weekend of October 18-19! Chicago is excited to explore the 200+ sites, 30 of them all new to Open House this year. Special thanks to Chicago Sun-Times’ architecture critic Lee Bey, reporter Lizzie Kane and editor Subrina Hudson for putting together the prominently placed feature (with gorgeous photo to accompany it) and introducing our three new Neighborhood Headquarters on the south, west and north sides. Get the full OHC 2025 rundown at www.openhousechicago.org #Chicago #architecture #OpenHouseChicago #OHC2025 #exploreChicago #Chicagohistory #historicChicago #allfortheloveofchicago

“We are so proud to have sponsored Constructing Hope: Ukraine and grateful to the Chicago Architecture Center for helping combat misinformation and unfamiliarity surrounding the situation in Ukraine,” says Taras Drozd, Board President. “This exhibition is a powerful way to share Ukraine’s story with Chicago and beyond.” The Heritage Foundation at FSFSB is dedicated to preserving and promoting Ukrainian culture in the U.S., raising awareness of its rich heritage and history. Since Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea and the 2022 full-scale war, the Foundation has supported growing humanitarian efforts for Ukraine and its refugees.

It was an absolute pleasure hosting John Ronan for an Architect Talk at CAC on Tuesday. Detailing select work in Chicago and beyond, John revealed the inner workings of his firm and the care and dedication required to make impactful architecture. Highlighted projects included the Poetry Foundation building, Chicago Park District Headquarters, Independence Library & Apartments, the Kaplan Institute at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the forthcoming Fallen Journalists Memorial in D.C., and some fascinating unbuilt design competition entries. After his presentation, John was joined onstage by CAC President & CEO Eleanor Esser Gorski, who facilitated more conversation around design process, materiality, client relationships, and sources of inspiration. All in all, it was an illuminating and inspiring look at a vibrant career in architecture. Interested in catching the next Architect Talk? Get your tickets to hear architect, author, and advocate Pascale Sablan FAIA,NOMAC,LEED AP in conversation with Danielle Tillman, AIA, NOMA on November 11! https://lnkd.in/gfSz4jG6 #ArchitectTalks #architecture #design #Chicago #JohnRonan