As the leading organization devoted to celebrating Chicago as a center of architectural innovation, the CAC inspires people to participate in building vibrant communities.
Spend a weekend exploring the city of architecture and take advantage of discounted rates at our partner hotels for the weekend of October 17-19.
Visit this new exhibition that explores short and long term reconstruction efforts in Ukraine bringing together a wide range of grassroots projects to illustrate how architecture can foster mutual aid and facilitate crucial support networks for entire communities.
The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady has been nominated for Best Boat Tour in USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. With your support, CAC can win #1! Vote daily now through May 26 to help us secure the top spot.
Join us on February 28 for CAC’s biggest annual family event, where young people are invited to design and build alongside professionals.
Discover how Chicago became both the birthplace of the skyscraper and the world-renowned “City of Architecture.”
Once the largest building the the world, the Merchandise Mart, now called the Mart, remains a center for commercial and residential design. Today, it has also become a vibrant hub for technology and innovation.
Chicago is home to some of the world’s first skyscrapers. Get an up-close look at these 19th Century marvels. *CAC Select tour.
The CAC Design Store offers a curated collection design-centered items including books, apparel, and gifts.
$16.95
$14.41 member price
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$33.96 member price
Whatever architectural style floats your boat, you can see and learn more about it from our passionate, informative docents aboard the river's finest vessels.
Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a hobbyist with a camera phone, this is your chance to show off your best photos taken while exploring Open House Chicago sites. Submit your entries by October 27.
We hope you enjoyed exploring the city with us. Please take our survey to tell us about your experience. And save the date for Oct 18-19, 2025!
Save the date, OHC returns October 18-19 with 200+ sites across 25 neighborhoods.
Exhibitions
The CAC offers design education to students from Pre-K to adults. With your support, we can continue to empower Chicagoans to shape a more equitable, sustainable vibrant city. Learn more about what the CAC offers. Watch the video.
With five professional sports teams pursuing new stadiums simultaneously, Chicago has a chance to rethink how we craft a win-win for our teams and our communities.
Learn more about Chicago Architecture Center's newest exhibition, Constructing Hope: Ukraine from one of the curators, Sasha Topolnytska.
February 13, 2026
Columbian Model & Exhibit Works made architectural models for the Lakeshore East high-rise development, the Jeanne Gang-designed St. Regis at …
January 3, 2026
From megadevelopments, stadiums and bold new urban plans to historic preservation, community development and transportation, CEO & President E…
January 23, 2026
Her painting series is a record of those grand and mundane places lost to time or other occurrences, whose presence we continue to mourn.
Discover design-forward gifts, books, and apparel at the CAC Design Store. Member discounts increase from 15% to 20%, Nov 22 – Dec 31.
$39.95
$33.96 member price
$17.95
$15.26 member price
Give your time and talent to the CAC as a volunteer docent, exhibit host or education guide.
The CAC relies on donors like you to help fund our design education programs. We're grateful for every one-time contributor and life-long supporter.
