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Contacts for the Media

Daniella Martino, Rise Strategy Group  - daniella@risestrategygroup.com
Or publicrelations@architecture.org 

Press Releases

Night of Ideas Chicago: Sherman Dilla Thomas, Tonika Johnson, Isabelle Olivier & Muoto Studio Lead Nocturnal Marathon of Debates, Programs, and Performances

The Chicago Architecture Center Partners with Villa Albertine for Free Annual Super-event, a global celebration of thought on February 28 that Interrogates the Future of Urban Life

Chicago Architecture Center to Host Architecture & Design Film Festival for Second Year

The touring film festival will feature documentary screenings and inspiring conversations between award-winning filmmakers and world-class design leaders.

Chicago Architecture Center Hosts Architects from the French Firm ChartierDalix to Create an Exhibition on Chicago’s Mid-Century High Rise Buildings

The Renowned French Architects’ work will be on display on a the CAC as an official site of the Chicago Architecture Biennial

Chicago Architecture Center Announces Expanded Open House Programming

The annual public festival, which provides access to culturally, architecturally and historically significant sites throughout the city, will now include opening on Friday

Chicago Architecture Center to Host Stop on 'Amal Walks Across America' Tour  

Little Amal, an art project featuring a 12-foot Puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, will experience CAC’s Architecture River Cruise as part of her international journey to celebrate immigrants’ and refugees’ stories

Chicago Architecture Center Announces New Exhibition Highlighting Benefits of Wood in Cities' Natural and Built Environments

REFRAMED: The Future of Cities in Wood and ReCovered: Chicago's Urban Tree Canopy set to open at the Chicago Architecture Center on April 25

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady kicks off 30th season March 31

2023 season offers new foreign language translation for tour guests - Chicago's only architecture River Cruise with this accessible feature

Chicago Architecture Center Announces New Members to Board of Trustees

Eight Industry Professionals Join the CAC’s Diverse Board

Chicago Architecture Center Launches Exhibition and Community Feedback Portal as 42 Architecture Firms Advance to the Next Stage of the Come Home “Missing Middle Infill” Housing Competition

Chicago residents are invited to visit and provide feedback on a pop-up poster exhibition showcasing reimagined housing typologies designed for six Chicago communities including Auburn Gresham, Bronzeville, East Garfield Park, Englewood, Humboldt Park and Woodlawn

Chicago Architecture Center to Host Architecture & Design Film Festival February 2023

The Chicago Architecture Center will host the popular festival’s 14th edition presenting 15 global films on design's impact on art, fashion, architecture, urban planning and housing

Chicago Architecture Center Partners with City of Chicago on ‘Come Home’ Initiative As Part of Continued Commitment to INVEST South/West

The Chicago Architecture Center has launched a multi-staged competition for architects and developers to reimagine and redesign standard housing typologies with an emphasis on density, affordability, and replicability.

Chicago Architecture Center to Host City in a Snow Globe. First Holiday Exhibition in Center's History

City in a Snow Globe on view November 17 presents a series of imagined worlds where Chicago's downtown lakefront is alive with activity in the winter months.

Chicago Architecture Center Announces Eleanor Esser Gorski as Chief Executive Officer

Named after a rigorous national search, Gorski brings more than 25 years of design planning expertise to the role.

AIA Chicago Announces Finalist Designs for the Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards, Nominated in Partnership with Chicago Architecture Center

Finalists’ designs were chosen by Chicago Architecture Center’s Docents in a round one jury review from over 125 projects submitted during AIA Chicago’s Design Excellence Awards.

Chicago Architecture Center’s Energy Revolution Exhibition Opens Earth Week 2022

The exhibition will champion urban innovations to fight climate change. The Earth Week opening celebration will introduce climate solutions from architects and urban planners in the revamped, award-winning Skyscraper Gallery overlooking the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue and East Wacker Drive.

Chicago Architecture Center Announces Its Most Diverse Board of Trustees in its History

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), a national leader in architecture and design education that offers tours, exhibitions and programs for all ages and levels of design expertise, announces eight new members to the CAC Board of Trustees.

Chicago Architecture Center Announces Departure of President/CEO Lynn Osmond After 25 Years of Service

During her time at the CAC, Lynn Osmond transformed the organization into a global leader promoting Chicago’s unique role as an architectural innovator and a singular destination for design savvy visitors from around the world. On April 29, Osmond departs the CAC to take the helm as President of Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism agency.

Chicago Architecture Center to open new exhibition, ENERGY REVOLUTION, laying out urban action on climate change
Energy Revolution will be on view April 9 and will show how we can change our relationship to the built environment in response to the climate crisis.

Chicago Architecture Center Awarded 2022 AIA Design Award for Interior Architecture

Chicago Architecture Center Announces Month-Long Open House Chicago 2021 Highlighted by Return of In-Person Site Visits the Weekend of October 16-17
The festival includes a weekend of in-person site visits and free access to the CAC; expert-led series of free virtual programming and jam-packed Open House Chicago mobile app offering seven new ‘trails’, including Obamas in Hyde Park and a trail tracing the path of the Great Chicago Fire on its 150th anniversary.

Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architectural Club Announce Winners of Thompson Center Design Ideas Competition and Early November Public Forum
Three winning designs, representing distinct alternative visions for a reimagined Thompson Center, on display with finalists’ proposals of CAC pop-up exhibit; early November forum will address Thompson Center’s future

Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architectural Club Announce Seven Finalists for Thompson Center Design Competition
Winning design will be announced at a pop-up exhibit of the winning and finalists’ designs opening at the CAC on Tuesday, September 14

Opening of Highly Anticipated Exhibit Helmut Jahn: Life + Architecture
Design retrospective open this Friday, July 23 in CAC’s Skyscraper Gallery

Chicago Architecture Center Announces Helmut Jahn: Life + Architecture, A Design Retrospective Opening July 23 in CAC’s Skyscraper Gallery
New exhibit part of an international outpouring of appreciation for Jahn’s design legacy following his death in May.

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise Aboard Chicago’s First Lady Named “#1 Boat Tour in North America”

Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Club Announce Competition Calling for New, Creative Visions for State of Illinois “Thompson Center” Designed by Helmut Jahn and Now for Sale by State of Illinois
Competition seeks to give State of Illinois Center new life while preserving its architecture and public character; winning design to be announced early August.

Chicago Architecture Center Opens with New Exhibits and Tours in Time for Memorial Day Weekend Summer Kick-off

Chicago Architecture Center Reveals Homes Designed to end Housing Crisis

Chicago Architecture Center Welcomes New Members to Board of Trustees
Nine Civic and Design Industry Leaders Join Board and Help Guide CAC in Reopening

Chicago Architecture Center Expands Walking Tours on April 17
Chicagoans Can Safely Rediscover City during Spring Reopening and Celebrate 50th Anniversary of First CAC Docent Graduating Class

Chicago Architecture Center Foundation River Cruise Aboard Chicago’s First Lady Returns April 17
Tickets now on sale for Chicago’s official architecture river cruise, proceeds support the work of CAC

Chicago Architecture Center Announces Spring 2021 Reopening Schedule
Walking Tours, CAFC River Cruise and Exhibits Reopening in March, April and May with Virus Mitigation Policies

Vincent Scully Masterclass Series returns in spring 2021 with “See Like an Architect”
Esteemed architects join series host Reed Kroloff on first Tuesdays in March, April and May

Remotely accessible CAC programming for all ages continues through March 2021
Special guests include 2020 Pritzker Prize laureates Grafton Architects and many more

CAC online programs, virtual tours and youth and family engagement continue
Remotely accessible offerings support the CAC while in-person activities are suspended

10th annual Open House Chicago festival extended through November 1, 2020
The CAC offers another week of free access to online programs and 25 self-guided tours

Chicago Architecture Center announces Open House Chicago 2020 programming
More than 50 offerings highlight 22 focus areas, outdoors and online, October 16−25

Open House Chicago programs, mobile app, self-guided trails and member exclusives
10-day, 10th annual festival offers nearly 50 unique experiences, online and in person

Chicago’s First Lady and the CAC offer three “An Evening with an Architect” river cruises
Limited-capacity cruises feature top architects whose firms designed riverfront buildings

CAFC River Cruise custom luxury fleet expands with new vessel Chicago’s Emerald Lady
New 98-foot boat is the third by Burger Boat Company for Chicago’s First Lady Cruises

Open House Chicago returns for a 10th consecutive year, highlights South and West Sides
Reconfigured for both in-person and remote attendance, OHC 2020 runs October 16−25

Chicago Architecture Center convenes esteemed jury around Request for Qualifications
Process will recommend firms for neighborhood improvements through INVEST South/West

Chicago Architecture Center reconfigures Gala 2020 as a FREE virtual event on July 23
Join industry leaders, Open House Chicago partners, teen programs alumni and more

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady returns
“The Architects’ Choice” in river cruises resumes July 3 as the Center’s galleries reopen

Chicago Architecture Center reopens July 3 with new additions to exhibits and galleries
CAC walking tours return June 20 with three options for safety along nearly 50 tour routes

National Endowment for the Humanities awards $300,000 to the CAC through NEH CARES
Major grant increases access to Open House Chicago, supports ongoing remote engagement

Chicago Architecture Center announces CAC Summer Camps and Teen Design Challenge
Camps for kids ages 8 to 14 run through August 7 while challenge engages youth ages 13 to 18

Chicago Architecture Center continues CAC Live online programs through summer 2020
The CAC extends its series of discussions and presentations by docents and industry leaders

Chicago Architecture Center and Music Box Theatre announce film festival Celluloid Skylines
CAC staff and guest experts discuss four design-centered films Memorial Day weekend 2020

CAC Live continues with 25 new talks, discussions and virtual tours through mid-June
What’s Next series goes online, panel on equity marks International Museum Day 2020

CAC For the Family: Design Club offers five free days of design-centered fun and learning
CAC Education staff lead an exploration of the design process for ages 6−12 and their caregivers

CAC For the Family brings fun and quality learning to young people and families across and beyond Chicago
Live and prerecorded video, interactive design challenges, place-based activities, readings and more for all ages

Chicago Architecture Center expands CAC@Home to launch CAC Live with 16 online events
Free to CAC members, events are hosted by authors, historians, expert CAC docents and special guests

Updates regarding the Chicago Architecture Center’s commitment to preventing the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus)
CAC tours and other programs suspended in accordance with recommendations from health officials

Chicago Architecture Center announces temporary closure and suspension of select public activities through March 31, 2020
Activities cancelled or postponed due to precautions necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus)

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady sets sail on March 15, welcomes new vessel Chicago’s Emerald Lady
Official architecture tour announces 2020 schedule departing from the Chicago Riverwalk

Thought leaders gather for “What’s Next? Designing the Future City”
Discussion and networking event the second in a new series at the CAC

Inaugural Girls Build! Day expands successful series at the Chicago Architecture Center
Program initiated in 2016 encouraging young women to enter STEM fields and careers aligns with new legislation for Rebuild Illinois

OHC 2019 sites and neighborhoods announced
New neighborhoods include Northwest side expansion with addition of Irving Park, Portage Park, and Jefferson Park

CAC Raises $567k to Fund Design Education for Chicago Youth
Civic and Corporate Leaders Fund Pathways to Design, Engineering and Construction Careers

CAC Hosts Pop-Up Exhibit of Design Proposals for New O'Hare Global Terminal
Mayor Rahm Emanuel launched exhibit running through Jan. 31

Chicago Architecture Center Nominated for USA Today Readers' Choice Award
The CAC is the only Chicago attraction among the 20 nominees for "Best New Attraction"

Open House Chicago 2018 attendance matches 100,000 record
366,000 visits to record high 280 sites in 31 neighborhoods

OHC 2018 sites and neighborhoods announced
Beverly, Morgan Park and Austin join one of the world's largest architecture festivals

CAC Opening Week Celebration
Aug. 31 through Sept. 3 with special events and offers all weekend long

Wintrust named OHC presenting sponsor
Supporting OHC in 2018, 2019 and 2020

Chicago Architecture Center to open August 31
CAC’s new home at 111 E. Wacker with exciting new interactive exhibits

CAFC River Cruise launches 2018 season
Celebrates 25 year anniversary with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises

BP student design competition winners announced
Six winners in Architecture and Graphic Design categories

"Between States" exhibit launches at CAC
Leads eight programs for fall 2017

CAC announces 2017 Open House Chicago neighborhood and sites
Logan Square / Avondale neighborhood joins one of world’s largest architecture festivals

CAC announces creation of new Chicago Architecture Center
Expanded space near Michigan Avenue and East Wacker Drive will open in summer 2018

New "Between States" exhibit coming to CAC in conjunction with Chicago Architecture Biennial
50 Chicago-based design teams propose ways to transform underperforming sites in Chicago into rejuvenated civic anchors

CAC publishes "No Small Plans" graphic novel
Centerpiece of “Meet Your City” civic engagement initiative

CAC publishes "A View from the River"
Companion to CAFC River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady

CAC hosts Weiss/Manfredi in June
Architects’ lecture leads CAC’s seven summer events

CAC and Chicago Architecture Biennial expand education partnership to Chicago’s neighborhoods
Initiative to reach 15,000 young Chicagoans, doubling the number from 2015

CAC welcomes new members to Board of Trustees
Eight civic leaders join Board of Trustees as CAC enters 51st year

CAC honors modernist landscape architect Dan Kiley with exhibition
Photographic retrospective of works by one of the most influential 20th century landscape architects

CAC hosts nine events in April and May
Photography exhibition, film showing, book signing among varied offerings

Chicago Architecture Center launches citywide, civic education initiative
New graphic novel, No Small Plans, unveiled as centerpiece of signature program

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady embarks on 24th season beginning Saturday, April 1, 2017
World-renowned docent-led Chicago river cruise announces 2017 schedule departing from Michigan Avenue on the Chicago Riverwalk

Citywide civic education initiative to be launched at Chicago Architecture Center’s 42nd annual gala
New graphic novel to be unveiled as centerpiece of signature program

Chicago bridges to headline annual engineering festival
CAC joins a national coalition of organizations to promote positive pathways to careers in engineering

CAC awarded Art Works Grant for Open House Chicago
National Endowment of the Arts recognizes event for excellence in public engagement

National DiscoverDesign Competition yields three top winners
Chicago Architecture Center competition draws nearly 250 entries nationwide

ArcLight Cinemas + Chicago Architecture Center: ArcLight Presents…Architecture Afternoons with CAC
New film series explores how filmmakers use Chicago and its architecture to tell stories

Open House Chicago soars to 100,000 participants, breaking attendance records
Chicago Architecture Center’s citywide architecture festival generates highest turn-out to-date

Citywide Architecture Scavenger Hunt
50 clues on 50 Chicago CTA bus shelters engages people in free architecture discovery game

Chicago Architecture Center unveils the new DiscoverDesign.org
Redesigned website provides a digital space for designers of all levels to educate, mentor and interact

Open House Chicago offers a look inside Chicago’s most iconic and little-known spaces during a FREE two-day event
Chicago Architecture Center’s sixth annual architecture festival opens 20 neighborhoods and more than 200 sites, October 15 & 16

“50 Designers, 50 Ideas, 50 Wards” exhibition celebrates transformative ideas for building a better Chicago as imagined by local artists, designers and architects
Chicago Architecture Center and UrbanLab assemble local designers to develop an exhibition of concepts that improve and rebuild the city, ward-by-ward

Chicago Architecture Center presents 50th birthday bash, Saturday, April 16
CAC opens the Railway Exchange Building to offer daylong free activities for people of all ages in celebration of its 50th anniversary

Chicago Architecture Center’s special 50th Anniversary Gala honors Bob Wislow and Sterling Bay
Chicago Architecture Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala at the Hilton Chicago celebrates real estate visionaries for their dedication and design contributions to the city

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady opens 2016 season on Saturday, April 2
The award winning architectural cruise embarks on another highly anticipated season showcasing the city’s world-renowned design

Chicago Architecture Center celebrates the creativity of engineering and construction
Learn first-hand about some of the industry’s most innovative structural achievements through tours, workshops and demonstrations for kids and families

Winners of the Chicago student BP Design Competition announced
Winning submissions of a local ideas competition for CPS students to be announced at the Chicago Cultural Center on December 15

Divvy merchandise now available exclusively at the Chicago Architecture Center Store
CAC partners with popular bike-sharing system to design and introduce unique new product line

Local and independent designers featured at the Chicago Architecture Center Store
CAC offers new collections of unique products for appreciators of architecture and design

Open House Chicago offers a look inside Chicago’s most iconic and little-known spaces during a FREE two-day event
Chicago Architecture Center’s fifth annual architecture festival opens in 20 neighborhoods and at 200 sites, Oct. 17 & 18

Chicago Architecture selected as signature partner for inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial
CAC’s renowned programs, exhibitions and events will engage visitors of all ages

Must-hear Chicago brings a unique architecture tour experience to visually impaired guests
Special tour designed by the Chicago Architecture Center recognizes the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Chicago Architecture Center sponsors CHI DESIGN ideas competition
Open-call ideas competition for a Center for Architecture, Design and Education (CADE)

2015 DiscoverDesign.org National High School Architecture Competition winners announced
First, second and third prize winners awarded for creative concepts on community public spaces

Architecture and design expert Reed Kroloff joins Chicago Architecture Center
Kroloff works with organization as Senior Advisor for Programs and Industry Collaboration

CAC to update world’s largest model of Chicago with 16 new buildings using 3D printing techniques
Columbian Model & Exhibit Works designs structures for the Chicago Model to reflect the city’s new architecture

Fourth annual Open House Chicago breaks attendance and economic impact records
CAC’s citywide architecture festival generates highest turn-out and economic impact to-date

Chicago Architecture Center’s weekend festival honors National Engineers Week
February 21—22, visit CAC for free family events and activities that explore the fascinating world of engineering

Chicago Architecture Center launches Skyline Stories
Watch, listen and read about the architecture that defined Chicago, and the designers who changed the shape of the city

Open House Chicago offers look inside Chicago’s best-known and little-known spaces during a FREE two-day event
Chicago Architecture Center’s fourth annual event opens 18 neighborhoods and more than 150 sites, Oct. 18 & 19

Chicago Architecture Center and the Museum of Contemporary Art present an evening dialogue with Elizabeth Diller
Renowned architect Elizabeth Diller and Reed Kroloff discuss the creative processes of art, architecture and design

The 32nd annual Newhouse Architecture & Design Competition recognizes the design achievements of high school CPS students
Participants win internships and apprenticeships with design firms around the country

2014 DiscoverDesign.org National High School Architecture Competition winners announced
First, second and third prize winners are awarded for creative concepts to redesign their high school athletic pavilions

Chicago Women in Architecture launch exhibition for 40th anniversary
The Chicago Architecture Center hosts exhibition honoring the accomplishments of CWA design professionals

Chicago Architecture Scavenger Hunt
Venture through the Loop with friends in this fun architectural discovery game

“Chicago: City of Big Data” exhibition explores the digital age of urban design
The May 8 launch of Chicago Architecture Center’s exhibition connects people to the data they generate and its influence on the built environment

Go behind the scenes of the historic private Columbia Yacht Club on Lake Michigan
Tour the classic MV Abegweit “Abby” ferry for Chicago Architecture Center’s next behind-the-scenes event

Carol Ross Barney, Studio Gang Architects, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and others create LEGO® masterpieces to be auctioned
LEGO® and acclaimed Chicago architects and designers partner with Chicago Architecture Center in support of the 39th Annual Gala

Tour Chicago for National Architecture Week
CAC’s tours recognize the nation’s most celebrated designers of the built environment

Join CAC for an exclusive tour of the historic Auditorium Theatre
The new Behind-the-Scenes program offers an all-access pass to this Chicago landmark

Drinks + Design at ArcelorMittal Design Studio @ CAC
CAC invites guests to enjoy an evening of cocktails and LEGO®

Chicago Architecture Center celebrates National Engineers Week, February 16 - 22
A week-long series of tours, workshops and demonstrations recognizes the industry’s most innovative structural achievements

Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) selected as American Architectural Foundation’s 2014 Keystone Laureate
CAC to be Honored at AAF’s 25th Annual Accent on Architecture Gala in Washington, D.C.

New exhibition calls for a bold vision of the “Great Basin”
Great Cities, Great Lakes, Great Basin exhibition open through February 3, 2014

Open House Chicago offers look inside Chicago’s best-known and little-known spaces during free 2-day event
CAC’s third annual event opens 15 neighborhoods and over 150 sites, Oct. 19 & 20

Three cutting-edge designs selected as winners of Bus Rapid Transit Station Design Competition
Global ideas competition included entries from 42 firm and 14 countries

10 finalists announced in second annual national DiscoverDesign.org high school architecture competition
Winner to be announced June 11, wins architectural trip to Chicago

CAC celebrates National Engineers Week during the month of February
FREE programming includes lectures, family programs, teen design studio