Current Projects: Discover Chicago’s Best Green Buildings

Some of the city’s most advanced sustainably-designed buildings are built by schools, non-profits and local government. In addition to sharing project details, our speakers will explore why this is the case. Learn about the far-reaching and innovative green characteristics of the University of Chicago’s Keller Center, recently renovated by Farr Associates; the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Kaplan Institute by John Ronan Architects; and a new multi-functional library and community space for the Altgeld Gardens public housing development, designed by KOO Architecture.

Program Speaker: Marcin Szef

Marcin joined John Ronan Architects in 2008 and is Associate Principal for the firm. His professional interest lies in the area of technology, new materials and digital fabrication, and he possesses the innate ability to figure out damn near anything. Marcin holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California in Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has worked on a wide variety of projects at JRA, ranging from single family residences to high rise office buildings. Before joining the office, Marcin worked for Daly Genik Architects and contributed to interactive LED display programming and fabrication, exhibition design and institutional building projects. Outside of work, Marcin devotes his free time to carpentry, furniture building, soccer, beer making and the occasional pig roast. Born in Poland, Marcin speaks three languages - English, computer and Polish. Sto Lat!

Program Speaker: Dan Rappel

Rappel is director of sustainable design and a principal at Chicago-based architecture firm KOO. He has over 20 years of experience in hospitality, institutional, commercial and residential design and brings an emphasis on sustainability to every project. Rappel's technical skills and management strategies have proven essential to numerous works at KOO including the Altgeld Family Resource Center, Navy Pier Hotel and the forthcoming UIC Center for the Arts. He received Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Program Speaker: Gabriel Wilcox

Gabriel is an Associate Principal at Farr Associates and an award-winning architect with 14 years of experience designing high-performance sustainable buildings. He has completed complex projects from science and biology labs to historic adaptive reuse projects while simultaneously integrating LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certifications into the design. The integrated design process he brings to each project focuses on an immersive collaborative environment with the project team. Gabriel’s diverse background in construction, civil engineering and architecture have provided him with a well-rounded understanding of the industry necessary for integrated design. Educated with a focus in sustainable design he applies a site sensitive and passive design approach that compliments each project’s natural resources.

AIA/CES Credits: 1.5 LUs

Notes:

• Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center on the day of the event. View the CAC's hours.
• Discounted tickets are available with a valid student ID for $12 at the CAC Box Office.