Innovation in Architecture

About This Topic

Architectural innovations like the steel-frame skyscraper have reshaped the built world's look and function. And every day, new technologies enable architects to address the challenges of the future.

Chicago has long been an incubator for design innovation. Advances in engineering have led to supertall buildings that define skylines worldwide, big data has become an urban design material unto itself, and sustainable materials and 3D printing are helping us reimagine the built environment. Here, we’ll track the technical and creative developments that push architecture’s boundaries and impact our interactions with the world around us.