Chicago: The Latest Architecture and News

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.

Helmut Jahn: Life + Architecture is a new exhibit at the Chicago Architecture Center honoring the late Chicago architect and style icon. Get to know this extraordinary man who will continue to inspire generations to come.

Ever since the world’s first skyscraper was built here in 1885, Chicago has been a city of tall buildings. As its skyline has changed it has inspired other cities around the world to pursue high-rise solutions of their own.

During 28 years as architecture critic at the Chicago Tribune, Blair Kamin deepened civic awareness of design. Join Kamin as he revisits three decades of skyline-shaping towers, imaginative local projects and transformations of the public realm.

Refine your eye for design in this special series of programs hosted by notable Chicago architects. Held the first Tuesdays in March, April and May, See Like an Architect examines timeless fundamentals in conceiving and communicating architecture.