[ above/below ]
[ communities at work / christophe hutin archtecture / bordeaux ]

the film communities at work reflects on the meeting between architectural know-how and the inhabitants’ own experiences of their living spaces through case studies in france, south africa, vietnam, and the united states. this transverse approach to the profession is an attempt to shed light on the implications of architecture in a contemporary world subject to massive changes.

representing these projects undertaken by christoophe hutin architecture (cha), residents narrate the evolution of their living spaces, including planning strategies for the future and improvisational changes, as well as, what’s at stake behind the management of these spaces.

christophe hutin, an architect, lecturer, and researcher at the ecole d’architecture in toulouse, and a senior lecturer at the ecole d’architecture in bordeaux. in 2021, christophe hutin represented france at the 17th international architecture exhibition in venice.

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[ above/below ]
[ microprocesses: a choreography of urban integration / enlace arquitectura + ciudad laboratorio / caracas ]

the intertwined histories of the diverse neighborhoods of la palomera, colinas de bello mondte, and el cavario in caracas demonstrate the potential for new democratic urban processes. they do so by creating platforms that emerge from, and in favor of, plurality and a mixture of voices. in the gallery each neighborhood is represented by a modeled stage.

yellow figures represent culture and traditions. local culinary flavors are represented in brown. vibrant greens denote gardening, whle dark green signals processes of waste collection. arts and cultural activities, such as celebrations, including dance and music are blue’ concerts and performances are red; and murals and projections are purple.

enlace arquitectura and cuidad laboratorio share an urban practice in caracas that seeks to stimulate more nuanced reflections on the city. enlace includes architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture. ciudad laboratorio promotes the idea of an integrated sustainable, and safe city via social, urban, environmental, and economic variables.

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photography by gloria araya
this is a developing story…

the 2021 fourth edition of the chicago architecture bienniel kicks off 17 september organized in an entirely new format from previous years. all earlier editions were held at the chicago cultural center, an architectural masterpiece in itself, filling all three floors and greeting over 500,000 visitors in 2019.

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, builds on a chicago architecture professor’s long-term efforts to find creative uses for thousands of vacant city-owned lots. it will ask us to ponder how shared spaces, like community playgrounds, affect cities’ quality of life.

the biennial’s theme dovetails with mayor lori lightfoot’s $750 million “invest south/west” program to boost investment in struggling neighborhoods on the city’s south and west sides.

the mayor said in a news release, she was “thrilled” that the biennial “will be focused and grounded in our neighborhoods that can benefit from it the most.”

david brown, the 2021 chicago architecture biennial artistic director, is a professor at the university of illinois at chicago. brown participated in the inaugural 2015 biennial with an exhibition, also called the available city, which explored how 15,000 city-owned vacant lots could be transformed into usable public spaces rather than conventional reuses like urban farms.

above > david brown

since then, brown has worked with community-based organizations, connecting them with architects and designers to develop plans to turn individual lots or combinations of lots into small parks, plazas and buildings of various sizes.

this time around, 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 host again is the graham foundation. and rather than starting from the ground up, the 2021 biennial will expand on brown’s work.

“that’s one of the reasons we’re really confident we can do this,” said sarah herda, the co-artistic director of the 2015 biennial and a member of the organization’s board. “we feel like it’s really a good moment” to reunite with brown and take his research forward, she said.

the biennial to date has featured models, drawings, installations and other work by more than 350 architects, designers and artists from more than 40 nations.

stressing that the 2021 biennial will seek to retain that international flavor, herda said the event might display projects from around the world that deal with issues like those brown has explored in his research.

out-of-town architects might communicate with chicago community groups via zoom or other online forums, she said.

the biennial’s first event will be an online conversation between brown and california landscape architect walter hood, winner of a macarthur foundation “genius” grant, who participated in the 2019 biennial.

as in previous years, the nonprofit organization that runs the biennial will present the event in cooperation with the chicago department of cultural affairs and special events.

the biennial becomes the second chicago architecture organization to shift from indoor activity to outdoor events and online platforms in response to the pandemic. the chicago architecture center presents it’s annual open house chicago, which normally gives participants access to the interiors of chicago buildings, is presenting outdoor and online tours.

[ contributors ]
ana miljački – critical broadcasting lab at mit (boston);
ania jaworska (chicago);
atelier bow-wow (tokyo);
borderless studio (chicago);
central park theater restoration committee (chicago);
christophe hutinx architecture (bordeaux);
counterspace (johannesburg + republic of london + united kingdom)
craig wilkins (detroit);
departamento del distrito (mexico city);
drawing architecture studio (beijing);
el cielo (mexico city);
elleza kelly (new haven + new york);
englewood nature trail (chicago);
enlace arquitectura + ciudad laboratorio (caracas);
fala (porto);
gensler (stone soup group) (los angeles + chicago);
hood design studio (oakland);
in care of black women (chicago);
jill desimini (cambridge);
jovanna jackson (chicago);
maite borjabad lopex-pastor (chicago + madrid);
manuel hertz architecture (basel);
matri-archi(tecture) (basel + cape town);
michelle joan wilkinson (washington dc);
open architecture + under the grid (chicago);
outpost office (columbus);
port (chicago + philadelphia);
projecthood (chicago);
rayna rezmilic (santiago);
riff studio (new york city);
sekou cooke studio (charlotte);
shau (bendung);
soil lab (copenhagen + dublin);
sonja henderson and alphonso nieves (chicago);
stefan gruber (pittsburg);
studioapt (ann arbor);
studio barnes with shawhin roudbari and mas context (miami);
studio ossidiana (rotterdam + venice);
the bittertang farm (chicago + bainbridge island);
the open workshop (san francisco + toronto);
urban american city (new york city).

contributor/tokyo atelier bow wow

contributor/niger mariam kamara/a>

contributor/chicago ania jaworska

contributor/detroit craig wilkins

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.

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

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.

the north lawndale 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 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

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 ]
[ 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-4pmproject by: sekou cooke studio
project by: matri-archi(tecture)

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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.

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.

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

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 ]
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…

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…

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…

depending where you live, by mid-august 2020, if you were getting comfortable dining out, that is dining out outdoors, you were beginning to think what are you going to do come winter? chicago has already thought about it and decides to ask the public for ideas via a city of chicago winter restaurant challenge.

chicago’s mayor, lori lightfoot tweets “chicago winters have a reputation. we’re asking chicagoans to share their ideas for innovative winter outdoor dining solutions that adhere to covid-19 protocols so we can support our favorite local restaurants while keeping chicagoans healthy.”

Chicago winters have a reputation. We're asking Chicagoans to share their ideas for innovative winter outdoor dining solutions that adhere to COVID-19 protocols so we can support our favorite local restaurants while keeping Chicagoans healthy. https://t.co/9F1h4kfHmC

— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) August 25, 2020

in partnership with bmo harris bank, the illinois restaurant association, and california-based design firm ideo, the chicago winter restaurant challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition that will engage community members to reimagine the winter outdoor dining experience in frosty chicago. the contest will award three $5,000 cash prizes for the best ideas in each of the following categories: “outdoor structures,” “indoor-adjacent spaces” and “behavioral shifts making winter dining more appealing.”

the press release invites the city of chicago residents who want to participate in the contest can submit their suggestions online.

submissions criteria include: concept ideas and fesability, a solution overview, user research that take into account the many stakeholders involved – from customers to restaurant workers to construction trade workers, the technical descriptions and prototypes.

ideas already submitted include ice bars, swiss-style fondue chalets pop-ups, and city trains and city buses.

entries deadline will be accepted through 11:30 pm on labor day, monday, 7 september, via ideo’s innovation platform

above> chicago river walk igloos were seen prior to the pandemic hitting chicago.

when thinking about your concept consider this…

“the key to outdoor dining is the free flow of air,” dr. anne rimoin, professor of epidemiology at ucla told today food about the plastic igloo concept. “it’s not clear to me that these domes will keep people in them safe nor the servers who would have to enter the domes to serve the people inside them, who would be dining presumably without masks on, with poor airflow. given the current setup, it seems that these domes might end up promoting transmission instead of preventing it.”

also, an interesting article reimagining restaurants in the chicago tribune re the pandemic forever changing restaurant design similar to how 9/11 air attacks changed airport design.

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> legacy tribune building photo found in chicago bar restroom

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 ]