March 4, 2024, is Chicago’s 187th Birthday and we look good for our age! If you are visiting the Center or taking a tour on Monday, March 4 between 12p and 2p – stop by the Chicago Gallery and learn from one of our experts about how and why Chicago became the City of Architecture. […]
Join the Chicago Architecture Center and Preservation Chicago as we reveal Chicago's 7 Most Endangered Buildings for 2024. Since 2003, the Chicago 7 Most Endangered has sounded the alarm on imminently threatened historic buildings and public assets in Chicago to mobilize the stakeholder support necessary to save them from demolition. Join the Chicago Architecture Center […]
Join us on Wednesday, March 27th, for a panel discussion with several members of Arquitina, a professional leadership & licensure initiative for Latinas in the field of architecture. Women represent 20% of licensed architects in the United States, but Latina architects represent less than 1%. Join us for an enlightening discussion featuring several accomplished members […]
Stained glass has been enhancing buildings around the world for thousands of years. Discover how these windows are designed and then make your own acrylic stained-glass window. In Chicago, stained glass can be found in historic temples, churches, Gilded Aged mansions, and landmark municipal buildings. Participants will learn how these dazzling-colored windows were designed and […]
Early Chicago female reformers left a legacy that influences public policy and social justice activism to this day. Join us as we explore their place… where they lived, worked, and made a difference in Chicago through the safety net they wove. It’s important in Chicago to recognize the contributions of women to social, economic, and […]
Explore the dynamic world of urban landscapes in our adult drop-in workshop on sketching Chicago’s great skyline. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned artist, join us for a hands-on experience where you'll refine your sketching techniques and discover the artistry within the city skyline. All supplies for this workshop will be provided. Free with […]
A continuation of last year’s popular program that looked at Chicago Art Deco buildings outside of downtown. This program explores the city’s far north and northwest sides and provides an in-depth look at a variety of Art Deco structures, including both residential and commercial buildings, as well as a college, a bridge, and a mausoleum. […]
The CAC is kicking off its newest exhibition which examines the Loop as a lab. Here we can explore the challenges downtowns face, reflect on our personal experiences and aspirations as city dwellers and propose design and policy solutions to make our cities more resilient and livable for everyone. This exhibit focuses on 4 main […]
Saturday, April 27: Exhibition family feature Celebrate National Park Week AND the opening of the CAC’s new Loop As Lab: Reshaping Downtowns exhibition with this hands-on family day at the CAC. Drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for activities and free admission to exhibits. Meet a Park Ranger from Pullman National Historical Park in […]
Chicago’s Loop is an inflection point, emerging from the pandemic on shaky footing but also with abundant opportunity to transition to something more vibrant, resilient, and livable. Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtowns holds our central business district up to the light, exploring ways to keep our economic engine humming while diversifying uses and making the […]
Kick off Preservation Month at the CAC with Landmarks Illinois President and CEO Bonnie McDonald! This program will explore the future of architectural preservation with her new book, “The Relevancy Guidebook,” unveiled in November 2023. At its 50th anniversary, Landmarks Illinois embarked on an effort to explore how to move preservation forward over the next […]
LEGO aren’t just for kids. Join CAC staff at KOVAL Distillery to learn about the Design Process and construct your very own LEGO build with a design challenge. Grab a friend and a cocktail and enjoy an evening building with LEGO. Learn how to think like a designer and then show off your design skills […]
A special program featuring Professor Carlos Moreno, the man who coined the term 15-Minute City to describe an urbanist movement that encourages walkable, accessible and dynamic neighborhoods. During the Pandemic, as a result of working from home, many people rediscovered their own neighborhoods and all that they offer and don’t offer. Not coincidentally, this is […]
The Pritzker Architecture Prize and the Illinois Institute of Technology's College of Architecture present "Community: The Architect as Catalyst for Change," the 2024 Laureate Lecture and Panel Discussion, in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center, taking place at the university's historic S.R. Crown Hall Riken Yamamoto, 2024 Laureate of the Pritzker Prize, will uncover his […]
Step into the world of Architect Ryan Chester, whose passion for the city's beauty led him to embark on an awe-inspiring project in March 2020. With nothing but a pen in hand, Ryan set out to capture the Chicago River, its architectural marvels, bustling boats, and bridges, culminating in a breathtaking 55-foot-long masterpiece. Join us on […]
A watercolor workshop in conjunction with the Art Institute of Chicago’s exhibition Georgia O’Keeffe: My New Yorks. Georgia O'Keeffe’s bold paintings of urban settings, expressed through her signature aesthetic, began in 1925 and her style harmonized the changing cityscape with the natural world. Join the CAC for a hands-on watercolor workshop that explores changing urban […]
A pair of stadium proposals from the Bears and White Sox have ushered in supersized dreams for Chicago’s Museum Campus and The 78 megadevelopment site. Are these plans pointing the city toward wins, losses or draws? Get a fresh take from our panel of designers. Whether you are a fan of professional sports or not, […]
Join us for an exciting and engaging workshop on urban planning, in which participants will learn how to design a city that is sustainable, equitable, and livable. Teens will explore key principles of urban planning, including zoning, transportation, public spaces, and community engagement. this workshop is an opportunity to engage with the critical issues facing […]
Although our docents go into great depth covering the history of over 50 buildings on the CAC’s renowned River Cruise, that ninety-minute tour is still not enough time to share all of the interesting facts about the architecture along the Chicago River. Join CAC docents as they share the “extra” stories about the buildings and […]
Travel down Ogden Avenue, named for Chicago’s first mayor, visiting historic neighborhoods, parks and landmark buildings. This talk will highlight Chicago’s early industrial days, the Civil Rights Movement in the city and new developments for housing, education and healthcare. William Ogden’s impact on Chicago goes far beyond being the city’s first mayor. This talk covers […]