At the Chicago Architecture Center, our programs and events help you think differently about the places we live, work and play. Get behind-the-scenes access to the city's architectural treasures. Practice your design skills while you play with your family. Participate in expert-led discussions about the latest urban design issues. With these offerings and so many more to choose from, we guarantee there’s something inspiring and fun for you at the CAC.
LunchTalks@CAF: Light in Four Directions Robert Benson, Design Director, 4240 Architecture and Allison H. Azevedo, PBS Regional Commissioner, U.S. General Services Administration Great Lakes Region Mies van der Rohe, Morris Lapidus, historic preservation…
LunchTalks@CAF: Transforming Abandoned CHA Property: Dorchester Artist Housing Collaborative Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D., Director, Rebuild Foundation and Catherine Baker, AIA, Landon Bone Baker Architects While much of Chicago’s large-scale public housing…
LunchTalks@CAF: Northeastern Illinois University - El Centro Campus Juan Gabriel Moreno, AIA — President JGMA JGMA is an award winning architecture firm with an emphasis on creating transformative projects that positively impact the people and communities…
Drinks + Design in the Studio: What do you mean by TALL? For Engineers Week, CAF is launching its new series of hands-on programs for adults. Titled Drinks + Design in the Studio, the programs will use the LEGO® Architecture Studio to let adults explore…
LunchTalks@CAF: Trends & Narratives in Public Library Design Don J. McKay, AIA, President, Principal, Nagle Hartray Architecture Public libraries often do not receive the credit they deserve for remaining relevant by adapting to cultural, educational…
LunchTalks@CAF: Earl Shapiro Hall: In Search of the Difficult Whole Joseph Valerio, FAIA, Valerio Dewalt Train The University of Chicago recognized the importance of the Laboratory Schools, their K-12 primary and secondary school as one of the pre-eminent…
LunchTalks@CAF: New School Work at Perkins+Will Jerry Johnson, AIA, LEED-AP, Design Principal, Perkins+Will Amid a noteworthy history of public school design that began with the firm’s founding, Perkins+Will continues to innovate new design solutions…
LunchTalks@CAF: Great Cities, Great Lakes, Great Basin: Water Justice: Water for All, or Just Us? Debra Shore, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago The Great Lakes hold nearly 20 percent of the world's fresh surface…
Think big and design tiny in this virtual camp for female-identifying campers, ages 11-14. Campers will meet daily August 3-7 to create a sustainable tiny home with a small carbon footprint that could serve a Chicago neighborhood.
Drinks + Design in the Studio: What do you mean by TALL? For Engineers Week, CAF is launching its new series of hands-on programs for adults. Titled Drinks + Design in the Studio, the programs will use the LEGO® Architecture Studio to let adults explore…
LunchTalks@CAF: Celebrating Engineering: I Dig Deep Tunnel Kevin M. Fitzpatrick, Chief Engineer, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Chicago’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan was adopted for implementation in 1972. More than 40 years…
What can architects do to keep rapidly growing urban areas livable? How can they create more sustainable cities? Danish architecture firm Henning Larsen is among those leading the charge to respond to such challenges. Hear how from one of the partne
After the City, the City: Water Part 2: Shared Waters: Chicago, Gary, Milwaukee, and St. Louis While “Chicagoland” is intended to encompass the larger metropolitan area “anchored” by Chicago, water issues increasingly complexify this centralized…
Engineers Week Celebration: Engineer This! Build That! Join us at multiple locations at our home in the historic Railway Exchange Building for a day-long program to celebrate National Engineers Week. Hands-on activities, LEGO® builds and presentations…
LunchTalks@CAF: Celebrating Engineering - Sowwah Square: Sustainable Integration with Goettsch Partners Steven M. Nilles, FAIA, LEED AP – Partner, Goettsch Partners As designated by Abu Dhabi’s 2030 urban framework plan, the five-building, 290,000-square-meter…
LunchTalks@CAF: Celebrating Engineering - Timber Tower Research Project by SOM Benton Johnson, PE SE, Associate, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP For more than 60 years, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP has been a leader in designing and engineering tall…
LunchTalks@CAF: Great Cities, Great Lakes, Great Basin: Chicago: Building a Livable, Competitive and Sustainable City Karen Weigert, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Chicago In fall 2012, the City of Chicago launched Sustainable Chicago 2015, An…
CAFamily Saturday Studio: Great Lakes, Great You! Join us in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio at CAF for a day of creative play and learning. Young designers will learn about the exhibit Great Cities, Great Lakes, Great Basin curated in partnership with…
LunchTalks@CAF: Chicago’s Historic Schools Julia S. Bachrach, Historian and Preservation Professional; Elizabeth A. Patterson, Historian and Preservation Consultant; Frances O’Cherony Archer, Local Historian and Blogger Chicago’s public schools…
LunchTalks@CAF: Institute of Environmental Sustainability: A New Model for Student Success, Loyola University Chicago Devon Patterson, AIA LEED AP BD+C, Principal, Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB); Monica Willemsen, AIA LEED AP, Project Architect, SCB Designed…