an architecture biennial unveils avant-garde ideas, materials, technologies and practices and serves as a forum for architects to make connections, collaborate with others and engage the public in issues and concerns in the field. the biennial also recognizes outstanding work in the industry.

the graham foundation is pleased to present the available city, part of the fourth edition of the 2021 chicago architecture biennial (cab). this edition marks a new approach to the biennial model, bridging the traditional exhibition format to a deeper engagement with the community to expand access and impact. offering opportunities to discover installations, exhibitions, and programs that explore transformative possibilities for vacant spaces in communities worldwide. the available city is curated by designer, researcher, and educator david brown. as artistic director, brown activates his ongoing, decade-long research project to document and reimagine new futures for vacant lots in american cities, including the more than 10,000 city-owned vacant lots in chicago. with over 80 contributors from more than 18 countries, and more than 100 cultural partners, the available city includes 15 site-specific architectural installations: located on public and private lots located in chicago’s neighborhoods of north lawndale, bronzeville, woodlawn, englewood, pilsen, and the south loop. there are also two exhibition-based explorations located in an unused storefront space in bronzeville and at the graham foundation.

[ above/below ]
the garden table / studio ossidiana / rotterdam & venice & chicago

the garden table designed to be a permanent installation, is part kitchen, part game, part stage, during the biennial, the table will be integrated into el paseo’s ongoing programming and creation of communal space in pilsen. the el paseo community garden has been fostering community and wellness for pilsen residents since 2009.

studio ossidiana is an award-winning practice in architecture, design, and research led by alessandra covini and giovanni bellotti. based in rotterdam, and working with an international team of architects, designers and researchers, the firm is actively involved locally and globally with projects across the netherlands, italy, turkey, and the us. alessandra is the winner of the prix de rome architecture 2018, the oldest and most prestigious award for architects under the age of 35 in the netherlands. giovanni is a fulbright fellow and miguel vinciguerra award recipient.

neighborhood: pilsen
site address: 944 west 21st street, 60616
hours to visit: daily 11am-4pm and during el paseo programming
projects by: studio ossidiana and outpost office

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visit the [ chicago architecture biennial ] to explore more about the biennial, what is on view throughout the city, and upcoming programs and events. look for DesignApplause to spell out these events in weekly separate articles.

[ upcoming programming! ] #cab21 #chicagoarchitecturebiennial

photography by gloria araya
this is a developing story…

an architecture biennial unveils avant-garde ideas, materials, technologies and practices and serves as a forum for architects to make connections, collaborate with others and engage the public in issues and concerns in the field. the biennial also recognizes outstanding work in the industry.

the graham foundation is pleased to present the available city, part of the fourth edition of the 2021 chicago architecture biennial (cab). this edition marks a new approach to the biennial model, bridging the traditional exhibition format to a deeper engagement with the community to expand access and impact. offering opportunities to discover installations, exhibitions, and programs that explore transformative possibilities for vacant spaces in communities worldwide. the available city is curated by designer, researcher, and educator david brown. as artistic director, brown activates his ongoing, decade-long research project to document and reimagine new futures for vacant lots in american cities, including the more than 10,000 city-owned vacant lots in chicago. with over 80 contributors from more than 18 countries, and more than 100 cultural partners, the available city includes 15 site-specific architectural installations: located on public and private lots located in chicago’s neighborhoods of north lawndale, bronzeville, woodlawn, englewood, pilsen, and the south loop. there are also two exhibition-based explorations located in an unused storefront space in bronzeville and at the graham foundation.

[ above/below ]
[ river frames / port / chicago & philadelphia) ]

on this site, for nearly a century beginning in the late 1800s, this 7-acre site along the south branch of the chicago river housed a four-story freight warehouse which operated on the site between 1890 and 1969. by the middle of the 20th century, river freight and warehousing declined leading to the demolition of the warehouse creating a vacant site – or “available” – for the next 40 years, despite its prominent location in the heart of downtown chicago, immediately south of the loop. developer lendlease acquired the site in 2015 and developed plans for southbank, a community-centric master plan comprising four towers centered around a 2-acre public green space known as southbank park. reflecting the evolution of the river from an industrial waterway to one of recreation, the riverwalk features a viewing platform, seating areas, and a natural stone amphitheater.

port is a public realm design practice comprising architects, landscape architects, and urban designers. founded by christopher marcinkoski and andrew moddrell, port’s practice model is based on a belief that the public realm represents the most essential spaces of the contemporary city. by helping communities to reimagine and shape these spaces, port actively creates the venues in which society and culture evolve and progress.

neighborhood: south loop
address: corner of franklin and harrison streets, 60605
hours to visit: daily between 11am-4pm
project by: port

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visit the [ chicago architecture biennial ] to explore more about the biennial, what is on view throughout the city, and upcoming programs and events. look for DesignApplause to spell out these events in weekly separate articles.

[ upcoming programming! ] #cab21 #chicagoarchitecturebiennial

photography by gloria araya
this is a developing story…

the graham foundation is pleased to present the available city, part of the fourth edition of the chicago architecture biennial (cab). this edition marks a new approach to the biennial model, bridging the traditional exhibition format to a deeper engagement with the community to expand access and impact. offering opportunities to discover installations, exhibitions, and programs that explore transformative possibilities for vacant spaces in communities worldwide. the available city is curated by designer, researcher, and educator david brown. as artistic director, brown activates his ongoing, decade-long research project to document and reimagine new futures for vacant lots in american cities, including the more than 10,000 city-owned vacant lots in chicago. with over 80 contributors from more than 18 countries, and more than 100 cultural partners, the available city includes 15 site-specific architectural installations: located on public and private lots located in chicago’s neighborhoods of north lawndale, bronzeville, woodlawn, englewood, pilsen, and the south loop. there are also two exhibition-based explorations located in an unused storefront space in bronzeville and at the graham foundation.

[ above/below ]
[ overton incubator / borderless studio (chicago) + the open workshop (san francisco & toronto) ]

anthony overton elementary school, built in 1963 and designed by perkins and will was one of 50 schools that were closed in 2013 citing budget cuts, under-enrollment, and low performance. washington park development group has since purchased the school, and through collaborations with artists, designers, and small businesses, has transformed the school grounds into an experimental hub, referred to as the overton incubator that is intended to serve the community to support creative entrepreneurship in business, technology and design.

neighborhood: bronzeville
site address: 221 east 49th street. 60615
hours to visit: hours to visit: the parking lot is open for visitors monday to sunday 12pm-5pm; school grounds (outdoor areas) are open to the public everyday 10am-7pm.
project by: borderless studio and the open workshop

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visit the [ chicago architecture biennial ] to explore more about the biennial, what is on view throughout the city, and upcoming programs and events. look for DesignApplause to spell out these events in weekly separate articles.

[ upcoming programming! ] #cab21 #chicagoarchitecturebiennial

photography by gloria araya

this is a developing story…

an architecture biennial unveils avant-garde ideas, materials, technologies and practices and serves as a forum for architects to make connections, collaborate with others and engage the public in issues and concerns in the field. the biennial also recognizes outstanding work in the industry.

the graham foundation is pleased to present the available city, part of the fourth edition of the 2021 chicago architecture biennial (cab). this edition marks a new approach to the biennial model, bridging the traditional exhibition format to a deeper engagement with the community to expand access and impact. offering opportunities to discover installations, exhibitions, and programs that explore transformative possibilities for vacant spaces in communities worldwide. the available city is curated by designer, researcher, and educator david brown. as artistic director, brown activates his ongoing, decade-long research project to document and reimagine new futures for vacant lots in american cities, including the more than 10,000 city-owned vacant lots in chicago. with over 80 contributors from more than 18 countries, and more than 100 cultural partners, the available city includes 15 site-specific architectural installations: located on public and private lots located in chicago’s neighborhoods of north lawndale, bronzeville, woodlawn, englewood, pilsen, and the south loop. there are also two exhibition-based explorations located in an unused storefront space in bronzeville and at the graham foundation.

[ above/below ]
[ traces of past futures / manuel herz architects / basel ]

the central park theater was one of the most important social and cultural hubs of chicago: the place where benny goodman played his first concerts in the 1920s, and where gospel and blues musicians invented new styles in the 1950s and 60s. one of the most historically significant movie palaces in the united states, the theater is one of the first of its kind and became a model for buildings of its type which followed. in 1971, it became home to the house of prayer church of god in christ under the leadership of pastor lincoln scott and his successor, pastor robert marshal. 

since 2019, a committee—the central park restoration committee—of interdisciplinary partners has joined in collaboration with the church to plan for a sustainable restoration and redevelopment of the theater to serve the north lawndale community. currently, a planning process is underway to seek funds to address deferred maintenance and restoration priorities, while continuing ongoing community engagement.

members from various local organizations — house of prayer church of god in christ, jewish community relations council of chicago, north lawndale historical & cultural society, preservation chicago, the school of the art institute of chicago, and future firm are part of this committee, and were involved in both the design of the biennial project and programming into the future.

neighborhood: north lawndale
site address: 3535 west roosevelt road, 60608
hours to visit: saturday from 11 to 2 pm only.
project by: manuel herz architects

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[ above/below ]
[ soil lab project / soil lab / copenhagen + dublin ]

above > courtesy of caliph rasul

the soil lab project is located on a city-owned vacant lot. the site was identified by cab artistic director david brown for an open call hosted with the danish arts foundation (daf) in 2020. soil lab is built on the remaining foundation of a former building and sits amongst six other vacant lots. the site is located between two other biennial partner sites, the cca academy permapark and a site being developed by the young men’s employment network (ymen) and working bikes.

the danish arts foundation is denmark’s largest arts foundation, whose mission centers on bringing the arts to a wide audience all over denmark, to promote danish art internationally, and to pave the way for talented artists. the foundation supports creative thinking and innovative ideas by funding more than 6,000 artists and art projects every year.

above> courtesy soil lab

the 2021 major commission is the second time the daf has invited danish creatives, and creatives with close ties to the danish architecture and design field, to propose a site-specific project for chicago. during the 2019 chicago architecture biennial, cabbage patch—an installation of 10,000 cabbages developed by danish artist duo gamborg/magnussen—was sited at the garfield park conservatory. 

neighborhood: north lawndale
site address: 1310 south pulaski road, 60623
hours to visit: daily between 11am – 4pm
projects by: soil lab

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[ above/below ]
[ perma park / the bittertang farm / chicago + bainbridge island ]

in 2003, cca academy began a wellness program to increase the awareness of the impact of unhealthy eating, the lack of physical activity, and obesity. for the past three years, cca has been developing a permaculture food forest, permapark, on six vacant lots at 1320 -1332 south pulaski road. permapark brings fruit and produce to the community, provides a safe green space, and brings people together – allowing us to nourish one another as we take care of the earth.

cca academy is a community-based high school founded in 1978. it is a youth connection charter school (yccs) located in chicago’s north lawndale community. cca academy provides students, ages 16-21, who have completed eighth grade with a second chance to earn a high school diploma through a rigorous educational program, extracurricular activities, and supportive services that prepare students with the academic, social, and life skills to enroll in higher education, vocational training, or seek gainful employment. cca academy’s mission is to create lifelong learners.

neighborhood: north lawndale
site address: 1320-1332 south pulaski road, 60632
hours to visit: the park is open 7 days a week dawn to dusk.
project by: the bittertang farm

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[ above/below ]
[ cover the grid and block party at bell park / studio barnes in collaboration with shawhin roudbari + mas context and outpost office / chicago + boulder + columbus + miami ]

bell park is owned and operated by the westside association for community action (waca). was the site of waca’s first workforce program, creating local employment for north lawndale residents. the asphalt covered park beckoned columbus-based outpost office to create a gps -guided super graphic basketball court titled cover the grid. the site also inspired a geometric metal jungle gym titled block party by multi-studio collaboration studio barnes (miami), in collaboration with shawhin roudbari (boulder) and mas context (chicago).

above> courtesy nathan keay

above image dennis fisher

the client team included: the westside association for community action (waca) is a community-based, social service agency founded in 1971, whose mission is to identify and alleviate problems that contribute to the disintegration of our communal fabric. their partners include: open architecture chicago and freedom house studios.

neighborhood: north lawndale, 60632
address: 1921 south drake avenue
hours to visit: daily between 11am-4pm
projects by: studio barnes, in collaboration with shawhin roudbari and mas context and outpost office

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[ above/below ]
[ ymen bike box / a partnership of community organizations / chicago ]

the yemen bike box is a community space and place where residents can borrow bikes (free of charge), fix bikes, and even purchase bikes to help mobilize the village toward healthy lifestyles and community transportation access. the north lawndale bike box is a partnership of many community organizations and managed by both the young men’s educational network and working bikes. one of the organizations is young men’s employment network (ymen), a dynamic youth leadership organization in the north lawndale community on chicago’s west side established in 1996 to address academic, social, and financial needs that cripple the futures of many young people in north lawndale, particularly young men ages 10-18. ymen’s comprehensive programs offer a range of educational support, long-term group mentoring, vocational/career classes, fine arts, entrepreneurship, and service learning to more than 300 students & their families annually.

neighborhood: north lawndale
site address: 1241 south pulaski road
hours to visit: daily, 12-5pm. bike box operations take place on mondays and thursdays from 12-5pm.
project by: sekou cooke studio

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visit the [ chicago architecture biennial ] to explore more about the biennial, what is on view throughout the city, and upcoming programs and events. look for DesignApplause to spell out these events in weekly separate articles.

[ upcoming programming! ] #cab21 #chicagoarchitecturebiennial

photography by gloria araya
this is a developing story…

an architecture biennial unveils avant-garde ideas, materials, technologies and practices and serves as a forum for architects to make connections, collaborate with others and engage the public in issues and concerns in the field. the biennial also recognizes outstanding work in the industry.

the graham foundation is pleased to present the available city, part of the fourth edition of the 2021 chicago architecture biennial (cab). this edition marks a new approach to the biennial model, bridging the traditional exhibition format to a deeper engagement with the community to expand access and impact. offering opportunities to discover installations, exhibitions, and programs that explore transformative possibilities for vacant spaces in communities worldwide. the available city is curated by designer, researcher, and educator david brown. as artistic director, brown activates his ongoing, decade-long research project to document and reimagine new futures for vacant lots in american cities, including the more than 10,000 city-owned vacant lots in chicago. with over 80 contributors from more than 18 countries, and more than 100 cultural partners, the available city includes 15 site-specific architectural installations: located on public and private lots located in chicago’s neighborhoods of north lawndale, bronzeville, woodlawn, englewood, pilsen, and the south loop. there are also two exhibition-based explorations located in an unused storefront space in bronzeville and at the graham foundation.

[ above/below ]
[ reflecting our (global) south side / matri-archi(tecture) / basel + cape town) ]

reflecting our (global) south side fosters a cultural-spatial dialogue, the design is temporal, dynamic, and reflective. the idea of availability is manifested as a pavilion of reflective floating circular disks perched above organic shaped public seating. the reflective surface invites visitors to playfully observe their surroundings, allowing for introspection and interaction. the installation encourages gathering through its circular forms, referencing the rich value of radial community planning, historically designed by communities in sub-saharan africa. ultimately, this circular navigation of space subverts the traditions of constricting communities in grids—grids similar to that of the city plan of chicago.

by drawing comparisons between matri-archi’s african references and chicago’s south side, the installation encourages visitors to explore links between everyday spatial practices that align local communities with those in sub-saharan africa through an emphasis on the role of design. qr codes appear on each pole, inviting visitors to scan into a virtual realm and reflect on the mirrored parallels between the familiar and unfamiliar surroundings.

through these material, digital, and design considerations, the installation encourages continuous conversation, reflection, and framing of moments that foreground the value of everyday spatial practices embedded in memory-making, dwelling, congregating, and moving—all of which allow for learning that is anchored in a generosity of spirit. this generosity of spirit represents an availability to engage with oneself, communities far and near, the site, and the city—all in all reflecting our (global) south side.

matri-archi(tecture) is an intersectional collective that empowers african women as a network dedicated to african-built development and spatial education. they action their ethos through their research unit and forthcoming spatial education program, focusing on transformation in partnership with spatial practitioners. matri-archi(tecture) is co-directed by khensani de klerk and solange mbanefo.

neighborhood: woodlawn
address: east 63rd street between university and woodlawn, chicago, il 60637
hours to visit: daily between 11am-4pm
project by: matri-archi(tecture)

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[ above/below ]
[ witness trees / hood design studio / oakland ]

trees that remain in place decades or even centuries after noteworthy events are referred to as witness trees. many were young when the events took place and have grown to be large, silent sentinels of history. in the early 1800s, surveyors in illinois planted “bearing trees” as landmarks to grid the ground. after centuries of development, many are still around today and are documented in the witness tree project. this project is a collaboration between the morton arboretum, the field museum, university of notre dame and the paleon project, and the u.s. geological survey.

the 2021 biennial has established new witness trees that record this year’s events—events that have shaped this epoch: a time of pandemic, racial reckoning, police brutality and reform, and climate crisis.

the new witness trees installation is inspired by the state’s orthogonal grid. tree grids are scaled to the site; at the corner of east 53rd and south prairie avenue, a grid is painted on the lawn at ten-foot intervals.

artist, designer, and educator walter j. hood founded hood design studio in oakland, california, in 1992. believing that everyone needs beauty in their lives, hood makes use of everyday objects for landscape design and public sculpture that generate new apertures through which to see the emergent beauty, strangeness, and idiosyncrasies of urban space. his firm’s nationally recognized projects include the de young museum gardens in san francisco’s golden gate park; the broad museum plaza, los angeles; and the arthur ross terrace and garden at the cooper hewitt, smithsonian design museum, new york. the studio has received numerous honors, including the american institute of architects (aia) award for collaborative achievement and the cooper hewitt national design award in landscape design. in addition to serving as creative director of his eponymous firm, hood is professor of landscape architecture, environmental planning, and urban design at the university of california, berkeley.

neighborhood: woodlawn
site address: 53rd street and south prairie. 60615
hours to visit: daily, between 11am-4pm.
project by: hood design studio

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above> courtesy of negin moayer

[ above/below ]
[ woodlawn canopies; stories and futures / projecthood / oakland ]

project h.o.o.d.’s outdoor space is the former location of a crime-ridden motel. the motel attracted the worst elements in the community and was a drain on the neighborhood’s morale and safety. ten years ago, new beginnings church’s senior pastor corey brooks did something. he camped out on the roof of the motel for 94 days to bring awareness to the neglect woodlawn was facing. it was during this time that he founded project h.o.o.d. and prayed for success. pastor brooks raised enough money for new beginnings church to purchase the land and demolish the motel. since then, project h.o.o.d. has hosted several community events at the outdoor space; basketball tournaments, an annual harvest fest, and many others.

in 2021 the vacant lot transformed into woodlawn canopies; stories and futures and ramped up construction in time for a 18 september gathering tied in with the 2021 chicago architecture biennial. plans include communal gatherings, performance, play, reflection, historic references, and adventure. the site features an interactive workspace, stage, and exhibition space that showcases the history of project h.o.o.d. uniting all elements is an approach to design that brings about unique moments in spatial freedom.

the creative team includes norman teague is a chicago-based designer and educator who focuses on projects and pedagogy that address the complexity of urbanism and the history of communities. specializing in custom furniture that delivers a personal touch and unique aesthetic detail, teague’s past projects have included consumer products, public sculpture, performances, and specially designed retail spaces.

negin moayer is a licensed architect, design director, and founder of bnmo design. she is a graduate of the university of wisconsin-milwaukee, school of architecture and urban planning, and has been living and working in chicago since 2006. moayer has worked at perkins+will, chicago, and hga, milwaukee. in 2015 she founded bnmo design. http://www.bnmodesign.com/

neighborhood: woodlawn
site address: 6615 south king drive, 60637
hours to visit: daily, 11am-4pm
projects by: project h.o.o.d. & norman teague studios & bnmo design

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visit the [ chicago architecture biennial ] to explore more about the biennial, what is on view throughout the city, and upcoming programs and events. look for DesignApplause to spell out these events in weekly separate articles.

[ upcoming programming! ] #cab21 #chicagoarchitecturebiennial

photography by gloria araya
this is a developing story…

above/below> englewood village plaza concept / courtesy of atelier bow-wow
[ englewood village plaza / atelier bow-wow / tokyo ]

the englewood village plaza at 58th street and halsted serves as the entry point to the englewood nature trail. as a two-mile-long green infrastructure reuse project, the trail builds on foundational values of anti-displacement, fostering career pathways, and community stewardship. the plaza will serve as a gathering space for the englewood community with a range of uses including a weekly community market, a learning garden, and a site for cultural discussions and film screenings—all rooted in black culinary and land traditions.

through a co-creation process with grow greater englewood, atelier bow-wow designed raised gardening beds, indoor growing houses, new office space, a forty-person communal table, and the englewood commons. both the community table and the commons serve multiple functions: the former is a place where residents can break bread with their neighbors and families, feeding both body and soul. the latter, to be constructed in 2022, will be a gathering deck for events, markets, and performances. together, these communal spaces, which will be open to all partners and community residents, reinforce the idea that community wealth is rooted in its health.

atelier bow-wow is a tokyo-based firm founded by yoshiharu tsukamoto and momoyo kaijima in 1992. the pair’s interests range from architectural design and urban research to the creation of public artworks, which are produced based on the concept of “behaviorology.” atelier bow-wow has designed and built houses and public buildings mainly in tokyo, but also in europe and the us. their urban research led to the experimental project micro-public-space that has been exhibited across the world. among their books are graphic anatomy (toto, 2007) and behaviorology (rizzoli, 2010).

neighborhood: englewood
venue: the englewood village plaza
address: 58th street and halsted, 60621
hours to visit: daily between 11am-4pm
project by: atelier bow-wow

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visit the [ chicago architecture biennial ] to explore more about the biennial, what is on view throughout the city, and upcoming programs and events. look for DesignApplause to spell out these events in weekly separate articles.

[ upcoming programming! ] #cab21 #chicagoarchitecturebiennial

photography by gloria araya
this is a developing story…

the 2021 chicago architecture biennial announced more than 100 city-wide cultural partners that will present programming in coordination with this year’s chicago architecture biennial, the available city, which will take place from 17 september 18-december 2021 at locations across the city. the 2021 edition will present ideas and possibilities for vacant urban spaces, activated with and for local community groups in collaboration with designers

above > courtesy som

designed and fabricated by som and the university of michigan taubman college of architecture and urban planning, the pavilion is an open-air learning lab and gathering space for a school in chicago’s south shore. led by professors tsz yan ng and wes mcgee, the splam [spatial laminated timber] pavilion showcases the potential for prefabricated timber.designed and fabricated by som and the university of michigan taubman college of architecture and urban planning, the pavilion is an open-air learning lab and gathering space for a school in chicago’s south shore. the product of a multi-year creative collaboration between skidmore, owings & merrill (som) and university of michigan taubman college, led by professors tsz yan ng and wes mcgee, the splam [spatial laminated timber] pavilion showcases the potential for prefabricated timber. “automated manufacturing technologies enable us to precisely and efficiently prefabricate a kit of parts which can be delivered to the construction site on demand, leveraging skilled labor where it is most effective in the process,” ng and mcgee said in a statement.

neighborhood: south shore
address: epic academy / 8255 south houston avenue, 60617

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the douglass 18 miniature golf course redesigned with a theme of bird conservation opens in north lawndale, a project by the lincoln park zoo and community partners with the support of the chicago park district.

above > courtesy nathan loevy

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above> courtesy studio gang

a collaboration with blue tin production and studio gang creates two inaugural happenings: an exhibition — a different future in the making: building garment worker power & a broader abolitionist movement; and blue tin production’s corporate office — 63rd house. a third element includes the opening of studio gang’s new gallery space in wicker park where this exhibition debuts. that’s quite an announcement!

the opening of the gallery coincided with the opening of the 2021 chicago architecture biennial (cab), where studio gang was a partner.

[ the exhibition ]

a different future in the making shows how these questions are being explored by blue tin production, the first apparel manufacturing worker co-operative in the us run by immigrant, refugee, and working-class women of color. materializing blue tin’s radical model and vision using the tools and techniques of garment work, this exhibition also reveals how the co-operative is seeding greater change through their newest project: 63rd house, a community space and manufacturing studio in chicago lawn designed by studio gang.

what can bottom-up, systemic change look like in the garment industry—and beyond—when exploitation and violence are replaced by community and care? and what role might architecture and design play in this transformation?

on view
20 november 2021 > 11 february 2022
studio gang gallery
neighborhood: wicker park
address: 1520 west division street chicago
[ details ]

[ 2021 chicago architecture biennial overview ]

a collaboration with blue tin production and studio gang creates two inaugural happenings: an exhibition — a different future in the making: building garment worker power & a broader abolitionist movement; and blue tin production’s corporate office — 63rd house. a third element includes the opening of studio gang’s new gallery space in wicker park where this exhibition debuts. that’s quite an announcement!

the opening of the gallery coincided with the opening of the 2021 chicago architecture biennial (cab), where studio gang was a partner. because of the pandemic which affected long-established global venues, such as the venice architecture biennale, whose dates were put off twice — first, from may to august 2020, then to may 2021, chicago’s events will offer content within a neighborhood-centric format throughout the city.

the 2021 chicago event, titled the available city includes 15 site-specific architectural installations: located on public and private lots located in chicago’s neighborhoods of north lawndale, bronzeville, woodlawn, englewood, pilsen, and the south loop. there are also two exhibition-based explorations located in an unused storefront space in bronzeville and at the graham foundation.

[ the exhibition ]

a different future in the making shows how these questions are being explored by blue tin production, the first apparel manufacturing worker co-operative in the u.s. run by immigrant, refugee, and working-class women of color. materializing blue tin’s radical model and vision using the tools and techniques of garment work, this exhibition also reveals how the co-operative is seeding greater change through their newest project: 63rd house, a community space and manufacturing studio in chicago lawn designed by studio gang.

what can bottom-up, systemic change look like in the garment industry—and beyond—when exploitation and violence are replaced by community and care? and what role might architecture and design play in this transformation?

on view
20 november 2021 > 11 february 2022
1520 west division street chicago
[ tickets/reservations ]

above> a concept presentation of the 63rd house headquarters / below> a trench coat made by blue tin, glimpsed through a hand-sewn curtain by diana aguilar and hale ekinci, 2021

[ studio gang ] photos steve hall (c) hall + merrick

above > tribune tower | crown terrace

a problem with most new construction in the residential high-rise segment is everything sort of looks the same, nothing really distinctive and unique. another irrational feature of new is the bedrooms are so small, quite out of scale with the rest of the unit and if you have a king-size bed your only hope is a big walk-in closet. chicago now offers an exception within the newly converted chicago tribune tower, a gothic masterpiece of a building. the tower was originally designed for commercial office space but has been repurposed into unrivaled residences and public spaces. below are a few examples.

architecture by scb / interior design by the gettys group. [ tribune tower competition of 1922 ]

above> tribune tower | illinois street lobby entrance

above> tribune tower | a lobby off the main reception area

above> tribune tower | courtyard overview

above> tribune tower | private parking area

above/below > tribune tower | crown terrace

above> tribune tower | deck

above/below> tribune tower | indoor pool

above> tribune tower | deck

above/below> tribune tower | deck

above> tribune tower | unit 2901

above> tribune tower | unit 3101 bedroom // below> unit 3101 living room

above> tribune tower | unit 402 living room

above/below> tribune tower | unit 2601 living room + private terrace

above/below> tribune tower | unit 2001 living room

above tribune tower | unit 2001 living room

above/below> a detail view of the concept vertical city aptly named “the line” touching the red sea

the line, a cognitive city stretching across 105.6 miles [170 kilometers], from the epic mountains of neom across inspirational desert valleys to the beautiful red sea. a mirrored architectural masterpiece towering 1,640 feet [500 meters] above sea level, but a land-saving 656 feet [200 meters] wide. the line redefines the concept of urban development and what cities of the future will look like. a civilizational revolution, its unparalleled livability can be explored at the line exhibition – now welcoming visitors in riyadh. no roads, cars or emissions, it will run on 100% renewable energy and 95% of land will be preserved for nature. people’s health and wellbeing will be prioritized over transportation and infrastructure, unlike traditional cities.

above> a ground level view of the mirrored wall cutting through the desert / below> the vertical concept city vs comparable traditional city

a small footprint to blend with nature
the line will have an outer mirror facade that will provide its unique character and allow even its small footprint to blend with nature, while the interior will be built to create extraordinary experiences and magical moments. it will be created by a team of world-renowned architects and engineers, led by neom, to develop this revolutionary concept for the city of the future.

this city will eventually accommodate 9 million people and will be built on a footprint of just 13 square miles [34 square kilometers]. this will mean a reduced infrastructure footprint, creating never-before-seen efficiencies in city functions. the ideal climate all-year-round will ensure that residents can enjoy the surrounding nature. residents will also have access to all daily essentials within a five-minute walk, in addition to high-speed rail – with an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes.

above> a canal from the red sea to the marina / below> the marina

a perfect climate all-year-round
to ensure the establishment of microclimatic spaces, the environment has been carefully designed to allow for an optimal balance of sunlight, shade and natural ventilation. furthermore, the green open spaces throughout the city will further enhance the comfort for those living, working and visiting here.

unparalleled access to nature
the progressive design offers immediate and uninterrupted access to nature within a two-minute walk – through its diverse open spaces, suspended on multiple levels. equitable access to pristine views of the surrounding natural landscape, mountains and sky, for all, avoiding urban sprawl thanks to a reduced infrastructure footprint.

more time to spend with loved ones
all daily essentials will be accessible within a five-minute walk and an efficient public transport network will offer a rapid end-to-end journey. automated services will be powered by artificial intelligence. amenities in close proximity will mean residents see family and friends often through spontaneous encounters.

clean air for everyone
the city will be zero-carbon, due to the elimination of unecessary infrastructure, cars and roads. it will operate on 100% renewable energy, including the operations of its industries. the integration of nature and open spaces throughout will serve an important role in enhancing air quality.

a concept referred to as zero gravity urbanism
the line remains one of the most important projects of saudi vision 2030, offering a new approach to urban design: the idea of layering city functions vertically while giving people the possibility of moving seamlessly in three dimensions (up, down or across) to access them is a concept referred to as zero gravity urbanism. different from just tall buildings, this concept layers public parks and pedestrian areas, schools, homes and places for work, so that one can effortlessly move to reach all daily needs within five minutes.

[ neom ]