Interview with Phil Enquist, From Me to We curator

Upon entering the Usher Lambe Rotating Gallery on the second floor of the Chicago Architecture Center, visitors are greeted with a temporary exhibit that investigates the design of future cities.

By Jessica Cilella

“From Me to We: Imagining the City of 2050,” commences a multi-year cycle of programs and exhibits examining critical issues of global population growth, resource consumption and urban life.

This inaugural exhibition is heavy on visuals, as we introduce six local design teams who have been tapped to explore the future of ecology, materiality, energy, technology, mobility and livability. Opposite the architects’ ideas for these issues is an expansive wall outlining the major challenges facing our urbanizing planet, including a world map showing which cities are set for explosive growth.

“From Me to We” curator Phil Enquist is a consulting partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. We spoke with him about his vision for this exhibit.

Why did you select these topics? Was it hard to limit the topics to just six?

Each of these broad topics is a critical component to achieving an urban and healthy future. They each are at a “tipping point” too, facing remarkable change due to technology, new data and our pressing need to cool the planet down.

Ecology speaks to the need to restore the planet’s natural systems as we continue to grow in population and urbanize. Energy is experiencing a very positive projection as we see a rapid shift toward renewables. Mobility is evolving into shared, autonomous and self-organizing systems. Technology is moving into artificial intelligence in ways we don't yet fully appreciate or perceive. Materiality is using cross-laminated timber, 3D printing and other remarkable methods to construct buildings with more environmentally responsible materials. Livability is, of course, the umbrella subject. A circular, shared economy, a culture without waste, a way to live in balance with nature, this is all possible. It can be a remarkable future, and we are just at the threshold.

What do you think about the responses you've received from architects thus far?

The responses were energetic and passionate by all of the teams. The possible solutions are wide ranging, but all submittals overlap in terms of making cities more accessible, more humane and healthier.

Each team’s response opens up a rather deep discussion about what the future might hold for all of us.

Why should people see this exhibit?

Because it is fun and essential for our populace to ask bigger questions. Children, especially, love to talk about the future and what it could be. “From Me to We” asks everyone to engage in the discussion. The fundamental purpose of the CAC is to invite everyone into the conversation.

What are you hoping visitors will get out of this exhibit? 

Buckminster Fuller asked, “How big can we think?” and Carl Sandburg said, “Nothing happens unless first we dream.” This exhibit is summarized by those two sentiments—thinking big and dreaming of what the future can hold. It has been almost 110 years since the Plan of Chicago was scripted. I think it’s time for a new holistic plan for our city and our region. Chicago was a leader in the subject of urbanism a century ago. It has lost that role, but should reclaim it. We can demonstrate to the world how a major city and urbanized region directs growth and prioritizes technology and harmonizes urban and natural systems to promote livability. It is Chicago’s time to step up.

Over the next several months, subsequent exhibitions will take deeper dives into the six “From Me to We” topics. More architecture firms will also be invited to share their ideas for solutions. Stay up-to-date on this exhibit and more at architecture.org/exhibits.