CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER

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The CAC showcases Chicago and ideas from cities worldwide to inspire better living through design.

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What an Open House, Chicago!

ohc 2026

More than 40,000 people explored 200 sites across 30 neighborhoods during Open House Chicago 2026.

Keep exploring Chicago with a CAC membership and enjoy free member tours throughout the year, or help Open House Chicago continue to grow in the years ahead.

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    Open House Chicago Photo Competition

    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 25.

    competition details
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    How was your Open House experience?

    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 16-17, 2027!

    Take the survey
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Illustrated birds flying around a futuristic skyscraperIllustrated birds flying around a futuristic skyscraper

Flyway City

New Exhibition
Now open at the CAC, Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem invites you to explore how design can create safer, more welcoming cities for birds and other wildlife.
Exhibition details
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A large passenger boat going down the Chicago river with skyscrapers in the surroundingsA large passenger boat going down the Chicago river with skyscrapers in the surroundings

River cruise tickets on sale now!

Experience the best — ranked the #1 boat tour in the U.S. by USA Today readers and named Chicago Reader’s Best Tour & Best Outdoor Tourist Attraction!
Get on board!
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A diverse group of four volunteers smiling with "I love OHC" signsA diverse group of four volunteers smiling with "I love OHC" signs

Open House Chicago is Back!

Oct 17-18, 2026
On October 17-18, CAC will be hosting Open House Chicago, an annual free public festival that provides access to places of architectural, historical, and cultural significance, and highlights businesses, organizations, and creative leaders making positive impact in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.
Explore the 2026 sites
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OHC Hotel Partners

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.


See Participating hotels
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Constructing Hope: Ukraine

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.

View exhibition details
Two women climbing and building with bricksTwo women climbing and building with bricks
Large boat full of people on board with a graphic skyscraper in the background.Large boat full of people on board with a graphic skyscraper in the background.

HELP US WIN BEST BOAT TOUR

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. 

Vote
Large boat full of people on board with a graphic skyscraper in the background.Large boat full of people on board with a graphic skyscraper in the background.
A few pre-teen girls building different projectsA few pre-teen girls building different projects

Engineering Fest 2026

Join us on February 28 for CAC’s biggest annual family event, where young people are invited to design and build alongside professionals.

View festival details
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City Tours

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DESIGN STORE

The CAC Design Store offers a curated collection design-centered items including books, apparel, and gifts.

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Louis Sullivan Ornamental Designs Notecards

$16.95

$14.41 member price

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Frank Lloyd Wright Chevron Earrings

$39.95

$33.96 member price

Cruise boat full of tourists with Chicago flag flying. Gold and green and gold graphic as backgroundCruise boat full of tourists with Chicago flag flying. Gold and green and gold graphic as background

The Cruise that Puts Architecture First

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.

GET TICKETS
Cruise boat full of tourists with Chicago flag flying. Gold and green and gold graphic as backgroundCruise boat full of tourists with Chicago flag flying. Gold and green and gold graphic as background
The back of a woman's head looking toward a pointed roof.The back of a woman's head looking toward a pointed roof.
Film festival poster with ADFF Chicago wordsFilm festival poster with ADFF Chicago words

FILM FEST 2025

Jan 29 - Feb 2, 2025
Jan 29 - Feb 2, the CAC will host the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF), featuring 13 full-length screenings across two downtown venues. Many showings will also include Q&A sessions with the filmmakers.
View all films
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Open House Chicago

Save the date, OHC returns October 18-19 with 200+ sites across 25 neighborhoods.

Learn More
Two women with long hair standing in the foreground pointing and looking up while smiling with a church setting in the background. Two women with long hair standing in the foreground pointing and looking up while smiling with a church setting in the background.

Exhibitions

Plan your visit

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

Exhibitions

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Celebrating 60 Years

For the past 60 years, the Chicago Architecture Center has taken on the challenges and opportunities of the moment — rising to meet them in ways that have left an enduring legacy on Chicago.

See the exhibit
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Graphic collage of different images in comic book style depicting different sports uniforms and scenes.Graphic collage of different images in comic book style depicting different sports uniforms and scenes.

The New Game Plan for Urban Stadiums

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. 

READ THE REPORT
Graphic collage of different images in comic book style depicting different sports uniforms and scenes.Graphic collage of different images in comic book style depicting different sports uniforms and scenes.
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Behind the Exhibition

Learn more about Chicago Architecture Center's newest exhibition, Constructing Hope: Ukraine from one of the curators, Sasha Topolnytska.

Watch the video
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Empowering the future of Chicago

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.

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Design in Chicago

In the News
Woman in a blue shirt smiling next to some flowers.Woman in a blue shirt smiling next to some flowers.

September 25, 2026

CHICAGO’S BACK PORCH CULTURE IS THRIVING

For many city dwellers, the wooden structures — some just small fire escapes — serve as workshops, gardens, or art studios.

Zoomed out shot of the chicago skyline.Zoomed out shot of the chicago skyline.

AUGUST 10, 2026

EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION WRAPS AT 400 LAKE SHORE DRIVE

After more than two years, Chicagoans can see what the tower built on the spot of the proposed Chicago Spire will look like.

Exterior shot of a large mid level buildingExterior shot of a large mid level building

June 9, 2026

CAC Showcases Designs for Bird-Safe Buildings

Tourists flock to Chicago to see the city's soaring architecture, but for migrating birds, those magnificent buildings and their windows pose a de…

DESIGN STORE

Get your holiday shopping started at the CAC!

Discover design-forward gifts, books, and apparel at the CAC Design Store. Member discounts increase from 15% to 20%, Nov 22 – Dec 31.

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Chicago 1893 The City Beautiful Tile Game

$39.95

$33.96 member price

Cover of a holiday card with graphics of Chicago Bean and people in snowCover of a holiday card with graphics of Chicago Bean and people in snow

Chicago Connection Holiday Cards - Set of 8

$17.95

$15.26 member price

Online Resources

View Online Resources

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As a Chicago Architecture Center member, you'll have access to exclusive tours, programs and event year-round. Explore our many benefits.
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MEMBERSHIP
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Free Essential Walking Tours
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Discounts on virtual programs
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Free admission to the Chicago Architecture Center
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66% off Premier Walking Tours
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Invitations to exclusive members-only events
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Priority Access Passes to skip the line during Open House Chicago
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    The greatest gift

    Give your time and talent to the CAC as a volunteer docent, exhibit host or education guide.

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    Support the future of design

    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.

    Donate