The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) recently announced Aug. 31 as the opening date for its new location at 111 E. Wacker Drive, a building originally designed by The Office of Mies van der Rohe. The new location, which will be called the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), will be established after the Foundation spent the previous 25 years located at the Railway Exchange Building at 224 S. Michigan Avenue.
The CAC provides 20,000 sf in the building above the dock for Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. The Center looks to be just that: at the center of everything architecture in Chicago. It will offer docent-led tours, architecture programs, and interactive exhibits.
Courtesy CAF.
“It’s visually beautiful from the inside looking out, but also from the outside looking in,” said Gordon Gill, Co-founder of AS+GG Architecture. “There was a long search for the perfect location and I remember when I walked into this space, it just took my breath away. The views are spectacular. You look out and see the heart and history of Chicago. The layout is so unique. It will offer a whole variety of experiences.”
During the first week of August, prior to the official public opening of the CAC on Aug. 31, select walking and bus tours will depart from the CAC.
For more information on the new Chicago Architecture Center, click here.
Courtesy CAF.
CAC box office. Courtesy CAF.
The Chicago Gallery. Courtesy CAF.
The Skyscraper Gallery. Courtesy CAF.
The Design Studio. Courtesy CAF.
The Lecture Hall. Courtesy CAF.
Related Stories
| Feb 15, 2011
Iconic TWA terminal may reopen as a boutique hotel
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey hopes to squeeze a hotel with about 150 rooms in the space between the old TWA terminal and the new JetBlue building. The old TWA terminal would serve as an entry to the hotel and hotel lobby, which would also contain restaurants and shops.
| Feb 15, 2011
New Orleans' rebuilt public housing architecture gets mixed reviews
The architecture of New Orleans’ new public housing is awash with optimism about how urban-design will improve residents' lives—but the changes are based on the idealism of an earlier era that’s being erased and revised.
| Feb 15, 2011
LAUSD commissions innovative prefab prototypes for future building
The LA Unified School District, under the leadership of a new facilities director, reversed course regarding prototypes for its new schools and engaged architects to create compelling kit-of-parts schemes that are largely prefabricated.
| Feb 15, 2011
New 2030 Challenge to include carbon footprint of building materials and products
Architecture 2030 has just broadened the scope of its 2030 Challenge, issuing an additional challenge regarding the climate impact of building products. The 2030 Challenge for Products aims to reduce the embodied carbon (meaning the carbon emissions equivalent) of building products 50% by 2030.
| Feb 15, 2011
New Urbanist Andrés Duany: We need a LEED Brown rating
Andrés Duany advocates a "LEED Brown" rating that would give contractors credit for using traditional but low cost measures that are not easy to quantify or certify. He described these steps as "the original green," and "what we did when we didn't have money." Ostensibly, LEED Brown would be in addition to the current Silver, Gold and Platinum ratings.
| Feb 15, 2011
AIA on President Obama's proposed $1 billion investment in energy conservation
The President’s budget increases the value of investment in energy conservation in commercial buildings by roughly $1 billion, reports AIA 2011 President Clark Manus, FAIA. The significant increase from the current tax deduction of $1.80 per sq. ft. now on the books is an increase for which the AIA has been advocating in order to encourage energy conservation.
| Feb 14, 2011
Sustainable Roofing: A Whole-Building Approach
According to sustainability experts, the first step toward designing an energy-efficient roofing system is to see roof materials and systems as an integral component of the enclosure and the building as a whole. Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Feb 11, 2011
Four Products That Stand Up to Hurricanes
What do a panelized wall system, a newly developed roof hatch, spray polyurethane foam, and a custom-made curtain wall have in common? They’ve been extensively researched and tested for their ability to take abuse from the likes of Hurricane Katrina.
