Programs & Events at CAC

Combine math and art for exciting results! Join us in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio and recreate Frank Lloyd Wright's famous stained and leaded glass windows. Great for students 7—12 years old.

How do we understand the impact of the recession on Chicago’s architecture? Join us as we uncover lesser known unbuilt projects, revisit headline grabbing failures (think: the Spire and the Old Post Office), and celebrate successful preservation and adaptive…

The CAF Family Scavenger Hunt is a one hour, non-competitive activity for kids under 10 and their families. Arrive at Buckingham Fountain to start your hunt anytime between 1 and 5pm to discover and explore fun architectural details in a walkable area…

The year 2015 marks the 300th anniversary of the publication of the first English translations of Andrea Palladio's I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura [The Four Books of Architecture]. Charles Hind, Chief Curator and H.J. Heinz Curator of Drawings at the…

This studio is all about thinking and bringing ideas to life! Students will read What Do You Do With an Idea? and use studio materials to design a poster for their best idea. Suitable for ages 3—5; older siblings and friends up to age 7 will also enjoy…

Drinks + Design in the Studio is a monthly, hands-on program for adults (21+). Participants will meet in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio @ CAF to explore the playful side of architecture and design using LEGO® while enjoying an after-work drink.  

We all want to build like the pros and now you can every Sunday in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio @ CAF. Come build with LEGO^®, solve a design problem and learn the fundamentals to create your own designs. We’ll spark your imagination with a new theme…

Work with great architects, designers, engineers, and mentors from the Chicago area! Our hands-on studio-based workshops offer design challenges and real-life problem-solving. Come explore the exciting worlds of architecture, engineering and construction…

We're inviting K—12 educators in all subject matters to come explore why design matters through hands-on activities in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio @ CAF. We'll enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres while we build with LEGO^®, tinker with robots, solve…

Chicago has more movable bridges than any other city in the world! In this CAFamily Studio, students will learn why Chicago has so many movable bridges and then use studio objects to create their own! This studio is suitable for students age 7—12 and…

The 40th Annual Gala will celebrate Mayor Richard M. Daley's many contributions to the architectural splendor of Chicago. The event will showcase Chicago's finest, including fun and funky food trucks in the Skyline loft and music by Chicago blues siren…

The lessons of Millennium Park still burn bright, as Chicago continues to invest in the creation of new forms of urban recreation space. What do amenities like the ice skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park and the conversion of the Bloomingdale line into…

Tour the new Motorola Mobility Headquarters at Merchandise Mart. The Gensler-designed Motorola Mobility space incorporates the latest thinking in technology, workplace wellness and sustainable design. Our tour of the 605,000 square-foot space includes…

Working on a project for the Newhouse or Discoverdesign.org Competitions? Come join us at CAF for some one-on-one feedback from professional architect, design and engineering mentors from the Chicago area. Bring your projects or saved project files, or…

Join us for a lecture by Minsuk Cho, founder of MASS Studies in Seoul. As the Commissioner of the Korean Pavilion at the 14th International Architecture Exhibition—la Biennale di Venezia, he was awarded the Golden Lion for the Best National Participation…

Members of the Chicago Architecture Foundation are invited for a screening of Love Under Fire: The Story of Bertha and Potter Palmer.

Work with great architects, designers, engineers, and mentors from the Chicago area! Our hands-on studio-based workshops offer design challenges and real-life program solving. Come explore the exciting worlds of architecture, engineering and construction…

The award winning William Jones College Preparatory High School opened in the fall of 2013, signaling new possibilities and innovation in urban school design. The tour will highlight how creative use of space and light can enrich student learning in an…

Drinks + Design in the Studio is a monthly, hands-on program for adults (21+). Participants will meet in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio @ CAF to explore the playful side of architecture and design using LEGO® while enjoying an after-work drink.

Have you ever looked up at a building and thought, "How was that designed?" "What was the architect thinking?" The answer to these questions and many more are revealed in CAF's new online exhibition, Skyline Stories. In this CAFamily Studio, we will use…

From Google to Groupon, the booming tech field is breathing new life into our city’s former industrial buildings. Explore the design opportunities and economic factors driving this reshaping of Near West Side, Goose Island and River North, plus take a…

The new - Solomon Cordwell Buenz designed - Institute of Environmental Sustainability at Loyola is a beacon of sustainable building in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood. CAF's Behind the Scenes tour, led by the project team, includes visits to the Clean…

Celebrate Chicago's nickname, "The Windy City," at our March Read and Build! Students will read W is For Windy City and make mobiles inspired by artist Alexander Calder. Suitable for ages 3-5. 

 LunchTalks@CAF: Historic Chicago data – before it was big Jen Masengarb, Director of Interpretation and Research City data isn’t new—architects and planners have long sought ways of quantifying and representing urban design issues. Early data on Chicago…

LunchTalks@CAF: AIA Guide to Chicago, the third edition Laurie M. Petersen, Editor, and Zurich Esposito, Executive Vice President, AIA Chicago The third edition of this authoritative guidebook brings readers up to date on ten years of dynamic changes…

  The Big Idea: Experience Data Download the presentation Access to data is shaping the future of the built environment. Join us for a conversation on how emerging technologies will change what we can see and know, how we elect to design and build…

  LunchTalks@CAF: The Black Skyscraper Adrienne Brown, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of English, University of Chicago How did the birth of the skyscraper change the way that race was encountered in city centers? Dr. Brown will present insights…

Drinks + Design: Urban Data with LEGO® Drinks + Design in the Studio is a bimonthly, hands-on program for adults. Participants will meet in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio @ CAF to explore the playful side of architecture and engineering during this…

  LunchTalks@CAF: Their Final Place: A Guide to the Graves of Notable American Architects Henry Kuehn, author While giants in the field of American architecture have left their important works across the breadth of America, little attention has been…

  LunchTalks@CAF: Community and Connectivity: the Jessie White Community Center Joseph Gonzalez, FAIA, of GHAFARI Associates The JWCC is a state of the art recreational and educational facility which serves as the headquarters for the JW Tumblers and…

  LunchTalks@CAF: The Fulton-Randolph Market District: Feeding Chicago since 1850 Matt Crawford, City Planner IV, Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Historic Preservation Division 164 years ago the Town of Chicago built a food market at…

  LunchTalks@CAF: Trending and Blending: Hot Topics in Multi-Family Residential Susan F. King, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C Harley Ellis Devereaux has created thousands of homes nationwide, and this work provides the opportunity to study how we live and how design…

Ed Uhlir, the former Millennium Park Design Director and now the Executive Director of the Millennium Park Foundation, explains the evolution of the park's design; its significant economic, environmental social and cultural impact, the park's innovative…

LunchTalks@CAF: Exclusive Preview - Open House Chicago 2014 Garrett Karp, Program Manager, Open House Chicago CAF's 4th annual Open House Chicago is taking place October 18th & 19th. The city's largest architecture and urban exploration festival offers…

LunchTalks@CAF: Small Projects, Big Talent Kevin Toukoumidis, dSPACE Studio; Paul Preissner, Paul Preissner Architects; Greg Howe, Searl Lamaster, Howe Architects; Chris Lee, Johnson & Lee Architects and Planners Hear from the award winners of AIA Chicago…

Unlocking the Value of the Old Cook County Hospital: Charrette Results and Panel Discussion The Chicago Architecture Foundation is partnering with Cook County to gather ideas about the future of the old Cook County Hospital Campus. Join us for a presentation…

LunchTalks@CAF: Existing + New: Adaptive Reuse of 5757 South University Saieh Hall for Economics Ken Maschke, P.E., S.E., LEEP AP, Thornton Thomasetti This adaptive reuse project created 23,000 square feet of new building space within the historic constraints…

Unlocking the Value of the Old Cook County Hospital: Open Forum and Charrette Kickoff The Chicago Architecture Foundation is partnering with Cook County to gather ideas about the future of the old Cook County Hospital Campus, and we want to hear your…

The BIG IDEA: Intersections of Design and Big Data Join us as we welcome New York-based author, urbanist and national speaker Vishaan Chakrabarti for an evening lecture and dialogue moderated by noted architectural commenter Reed Kroloff. Through his…

LunchTalks@CAF: Terminal Town: Celebrating 75 Years of Travel to the Windy City Dr. Joseph P Schwieterman - Director, Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development (DePaul University) Chicago's system of passenger air, bus, and train terminals has long…

LunchTalks@CAF: CBD: How Big Data Can Help Guide Positive Neighborhood Change, or Not Susana Vasquez, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) - Chicago Government and nonprofits are increasingly expected to use data to guide…

LunchTalks@CAF: The Aural Realm of Architecture Dawn Schuette, FAIA, LEED AP, Threshold Acoustics Light, space and sound are all factors of the built environment that influence people in powerful, as well as subconscious ways. Through our practice of…

Samba on the River: A River Cruise Benefiting the CAF Taliesin Scholars Join the CAF Auxiliary Board for an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and Brazilian music aboard Chicago’s Leading Lady. All proceeds for this event benefit the Newhouse Architecture…

Design Dialogues: Elizabeth Diller with Reed Kroloff Elizabeth Diller is a founding partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), an interdisciplinary design studio that integrates architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. DS+R has received…

Drinks and Design in the Studio: Chicago Model City Catherine Tinker, Founder and Owner of Columbian Model & Exhibit Works Ltd. talks scale! Recreate your favorite Chicago building or design our future city! Drinks + Design in the Studio is a bimonthly…

Design Dialogues: Notes from the Biennale: Jimenez Lai in conversation with Stanley Tigerman Chicago-based architect Jimenez Lai shares his impressions from the opening of the 14th Venice Architecture Biennale, where he represented Taiwan with a pavilion…

LunchTalks@CAF: Chicago Women in Architecture: Understanding Historic Building Technology Anne Sullivan, FAIA, Sullivan Preservation Anne T. Sullivan, FAIA, director of the M.S. Historic Preservation program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago…

Special Lecture: Charles Montgomery’s Happy CityCharles Montgomery, Author For years, self-help experts have told us that we need to do inner work in order to improve our lives. But what if our cities themselves had the power to make or break our happiness?…

LunchTalks@CAF: CBD: City Data - Lower Energy, Longer Living, Larger Output Luke Leung, PE, LEED-AP, Director of Sustainable Engineering, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP Skidmore, Owings & Merrill employs a three prong approach to connection in order…

LunchTalks@CAF: CBD: Using Data and Computation to Understand 21st Century Cities Charlie Catlett, Senior Computer Scientist, Argonne; Director, Urban Center for Computation and Data, University of Chicago The Urban Center for Computation and Data (UrbanCCD)…

City of Big Data PechaKucha Night What can you learn about Big Data in 400 seconds? Come to the special, CAF City of Big Data PechaKucha Night and find out! The most engaging thinkers in the city talk about their work in 20 slides up for only 20 seconds…

LunchTalks@CAF: Landmarks Illinois– Ten Most Endangered Historic Places Lisa DiChiera, Advocacy Director, Landmarks Illinois Since the inception of Landmarks Illinois’ Ten Most Endangered Historic Places list in 1995, more than a third of the listed…

Drinks + Design in the Studio: Speed Sketching Can you sketch like an architect? Armed with sharpies, pencils and old-fashioned view finders, you can learn the tricks of the trade. Come in a novice and leave feeling like a pro. Architects from Cannon…

LunchTalks@CAF: Chicago’s 7 Most Threatened Buildings of 2014 Ward Miller, President, Preservation Chicago In this widely anticipated annual event, Preservation Chicago reveals its list of Chicago’s 7 Most Threatened Historic Places of 2014. The purpose…

LunchTalks@CAF: City of Big Data: Networked Urbanism: Re-Thinking Cities As Smart Machines John Tolva, President, PositivEnergy Practice, LLC From open data to the app economy, net zero buildings to free public wireless, cities in the 21st century are…

LunchTalks@CAF: New Book Talk - Chicago’s River: At Work and At Play Neal Samors, award-winning author and independent publisher; Steven Dahlman, professional photographer and journalist Neal Samors and Steven Dahlman, co-authors of the new book Chicago…

LunchTalks@CAF: Connection and High Performance Luke Leung, PE, LEED-AP, Director of Sustainable Engineering, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP Three different aspects of connection to deliver high performance design will be discussed in this presentation—connecting…

Instruments for Urban Production Over the past 150 years architects have approached the city through the lens of geometry, symbolism,hygiene, collage, contextualism, technology, density and landscape, among others. Recently, a whole host of new forces…

LunchTalks@CAF: Innovative Landscape Architecture in Chicago – Palmisano Park and Current Projects Ernest C. Wong, FASLA, APA, Principal and Hana Ishikawa, Design Director, Site Design Group Ltd For the first half of the 20th century, Henry Palmisano…

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…

LunchTalks@CAF: Building Preview: 150 North Riverside with Goettsch Partners Steven M. Nilles, FAIA, LEED AP – Partner; Joachim Schuessler – Associate Principal, Goettsch Partners As part of the next generation of Chicago office towers, learn about…

January 14—19, 2016.

This event has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled for a future date.

Donor-level members are welcome to attend this invitation-only program at The National, the former Chicago Public Schools headquarters at 125 S. Clark St. Blue Star Properties Principal Craig Golden will share details about how the historic renovation…

If you’re a foodie and love architecture, don’t miss this special opportunity to enjoy innovative food in a cutting edge space. Join us from 5:30—8pm at the new home of award-winning caterer Blue Plate and learn about the evolution of the Fulton…

Scully Series host Reed Kroloff is back, this time exploring the architectural imagination from the perspective of journalist, civil servant and designer. Several accomplished guests join Reed in lively conversation throughout the series' three-part arc…

This program has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Before Art Deco, another design style was favored by Chicago's great architects as a way to add character to their buildings. Explore the city's connections to Art Nouveau and the architects that designed in the style through various buildings that can…

Although our docents weave a rich and engaging story about over 50 buildings on the CAC's renowned River Cruise, that ninety-minute tour is still not enough time to share all of the interesting facts about the architecture along the Chicago River. Join…

Author Daniel Seddiqui has learned a lot on his quest to work 50 jobs in 50 states. Join us for a conversation with the man dubbed the "world's most ambitious job seeker" and hear about his time harvesting corn in Nebraska, catching lobster in Maine,…

Celebrate Jane Jacobs' 100th birthday by studying and discussing excerpts from her seminal work, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." We'll also take a look at other influential figures in mid-century American planning efforts. Paul Durica—author…

Shoppers flocked to mail-order retailers during the 20th century, even going so far as to order their homes through the mail. Between 1908 and 1940, the Chicago-based retailer Sears sold more than 70,000 customizable home kits, making it the largest and…

Join us for a review of Mayor Lightfoot's INVEST South/West initiative as it enters its third year. Speakers will recap key milestones and give in-depth updates on select development projects now underway.

Join us for a special introduction to CAC’s Energy Revolution exhibition with architect and co‐curator Doug Farr. Learn how each of us can combat the climate crisis by dramatically transforming how we use energy in the built environment.

There are differing paths to achieving energy efficiency in buildings. This might involve design strategies, material choices or even a whole-building retrofit. Learn about three trailblazing local projects pointing the way toward a more resilient future…

Think outside the box and design a dream house! This Girls Build! camp is specially crafted to engage girls ages 11–14 in architecture and design. From 2 to 5pm on select Sundays in January, February and March, girls will work through the design process…

Grab your honey and get ready to snuggle as we kick off the Valentine’s Day weekend! We will be talking with experts in Chicago's wedding industry about how to incorporate the city's architecture on your special day.

What buildings in Chicago are most endangered this year? Find out at the unveiling of the 20th annual “Chicago 7,” a list from Preservation Chicago that identifies significant structures and public spaces preservationists hope to protect from the…

In order to withstand the Windy City's namesake weather, some of Chicago’s tallest buildings are designed to sway in the breeze, which can leave residents and workers feeling seasick. Join us for a look at the innovative ways structural engineers minimize…

Join us after work for a summer evening of drinks and discovery at the Chicago Architecture Center.

Many of today’s commercial buildings are made of concrete. One of concrete’s crucial components is cement, which releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment. Join us as we learn what other alternatives exist to mitigate cement’s…