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.
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…
In 2022, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frederick Law Olmsted’s birth. To Celebrate, the Hyde Park Historical Society and the Washington Park Camera Club present this virtual program exploring the impact of his landscapes in Chicago.
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…
Join us as we explore the buildings of the Chicago Public Library, from its beginning in the 19th century in an unused water tower, to its dazzling 21st century neighborhood branches.
The 1835 Clarke House is Chicago’s oldest standing residence. It is preserved thanks to the stewardship of Bishop Louis Henry Ford and the St. Church of God in Christ. Join us for a conversation about the house and opportunities to broaden the stories…
Join us for a special program with CAC President and CEO Lynn Osmond. Hear about 2021’s most inspired design, development and preservation efforts as Chicago gradually recovers and recalibrates in the wake of the pandemic. Then, consider what awaits…
The Chicago Architecture Center stands on unceded Native land. As we work to better represent Chicago’s diversity in everything we do, this spring the CAC will begin to incorporate land acknowledgement into all public offerings (tours and programs)…
In the past decade, thousands of houses of worship have closed each year. But when the congregation leaves, what happens to the structures they leave behind? Join our discussion, where we will cover how these buildings are being adapted in new and creative…
The Chicago Architecture Center teams up with Chicago Filmmakers in Edgewater for a special presentation of Halsted Street, U.S.A.
Come explore architecture through watercolors. Join sculpture artist and educator Paul Neumann in a family workshop where art and architecture meet.
Floundering retail. Stunted tourism. Vacant offices. City centers across the globe are facing big challenges borne partly of the pandemic’s ongoing disruptions. Explore how designers, business leaders and city officials are working to keep Chicago moving…
April marks the 200th anniversary of Frederick Law Olmsted’s birth. To celebrate, we're exploring the deeper legacy of this pioneering figure—designer, planner, educator, reformer, advocate, activist, inventor, innovator and enduring influencer.
Midcentury art and architecture are too often studied separately. In the case of Roger Brown and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the cultural influences and societal undercurrents acting on these great Chicago Modernists brought their work closer together.
After meeting in Paris, portraitist George Healy and stained glass artist Louis Millet came to Chicago to start their interior design business. Their artistry won them national acclaim and the attention of Louis Sullivan. This is their story.
Get a special insider’s look at the making of the fourth edition of the AIA Guide to Chicago. Editor Laurie Peterson and AIA Chicago Executive Director Jen Masengarb highlight new additions to our city’s definitive architectural guidebook.
The University of Illinois-backed Discovery Partners Institute is sparking large investments from new tech, starting with a future-forward design from Dutch superfirm OMA. It will also be the first building to break ground at The 78—a massive new development…
Explore architecture on ice! Bring your creativity to this LEGO Family Workshop.
During the latter part of his career, Louis Sullivan designed eight “Jewel Box” banks, known for their modern facades and their lavishly ornamented interiors resembling jewel boxes. Join us for a midwestern virtual tour of these architectural masterpieces…
Through the years, the land and water around Chicago have been radically altered. In 1900, the river was reversed. Meanwhile, Michigan Avenue by Grant Park used to be lakefront property! Join us as we explore the ebb and flow of our celebrated lake and…
Join us for a sneak peek of Open House Chicago as we gear up for the free annual festival's return on October 15-16. Hear about what’s new and exciting in this 12th year of the event.
Join us for a roundtable conversation exploring ideas for a renewed LaSalle Street corridor, which currently finds itself at a crossroads. How does an austere financial district transform into a vibrant 24-hour neighborhood, and who will call this neighborhood…
Our annual Engineering Fest is back! Join us for a day of discovery, as children ages 8-14 are invited to build and learn, view the CAC's special exhibitions, meet engineers and explore how architecture and engineering partner to create the cities we…
The CAC’s newest exhibition highlights the Bronzeville Lakefront megadevelopment slated for the former Michael Reese Hospital campus and how a reimagined Singer Pavilion can help bridge this site’s past and future. Join us for a conversation with…
The Chicago Architecture Center will host local authors and CAC docents Molly Page and Ellen Shubart for a meet and greet book signing.
From the Cardinal’s Mansion to the Playboy Mansion, Chicago’s Gold Coast is celebrated for its extravagant residences--befitting its influential, and often colorful, inhabitants. Join us as we explore Gilded Age architecture and examine how its residents…
Join us for a special STEM festival designed just for girls ages 11-17! Girls will build, learn and network with professionals from more than 15 different STEM organizations.
Learn fun facts about significant Chicago buildings and key architectural terms, styles and materials with CAC's Director of Interpretation, Adam Rubin. A must-see for architecture enthusiasts!
Join Preservation Chicago as they reveal Chicago’s 7 Most Endangered list for 2023. For 20 years, this list of imminently threatened historic buildings and community assets is used to mobilize the support necessary to save these sites from demolition…
Join us for an evening with Perkins&Will principal and design director Ralph Johnson, recipient of the 2022 AIA Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award. Over a half-century at Perkins&Will, Johnson has produced defining buildings of the era while mentoring…