Open House Chicago 2024

Every October, the Chicago Architecture Center is proud to host Open House Chicago—a free public festival that offers self-guided history and architecture trails throughout Chicago, talks and programming, and behind-the-scenes access to architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites across the city. Open House Chicago remains one of the largest events of its kind in the […]

Free

Teen Saturday Studio – Capturing Architecture: Architecture Photography

Harold Washington College 30 E Lake St Chicago, Chicago

Do you dream of capturing stunning images that showcase the intricate details and grandeur of buildings? Join us for an immersive workshop where teens will embark on a journey to explore the art of architectural photography. In this exciting workshop, participants will learn how to merge their love for photography with their appreciation for architecture. […]

Free

LEGO® & LIBATIONS

    Big Star Wicker Park 1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago

    Who says LEGO are just for kids? Join the CAC team at Big Star’s Wicker Park location for a hands-on workshop and enjoy an interactive evening of creativity, design, and fun. Bring a friend or make new ones! Learn about the design process while tackling a LEGO build challenge—perfect for first-timers and seasoned builders. Bring […]

    $20

    Architects on Housing Solutions

      Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

      How can we address the housing crisis in a way that increases social equity? How can architecture and design help achieve these goals? Our panel of seasoned housing designers sets out to find answers. Cities across the nation face a severe crisis in housing affordability. More than 40% of the U.S. population struggles with monthly […]

      $15

      Architects on Housing Solutions

        Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

        How can we address the housing crisis in a way that increases social equity? How can architecture and design help achieve these goals? Our panel of seasoned housing designers sets out to find answers. Cities across the nation face a severe crisis in housing affordability. More than 40% of the U.S. population struggles with monthly […]

        $15

        Teen Saturday Studio – Design with LEGO

        Harold Washington College 30 E Lake St Chicago, Chicago

        This workshop is designed to introduce you to the principles and practices of architecture and provide you with hands-on experience in building your own structures. Through a series of interactive activities and design challenges, you'll learn about the design process and how architects think and create. Using LEGO bricks, teens will work in small groups […]

        Free

        Holiday Greetings Watercolor Workshop

        Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

        Celebrate the season with the CAC. Join us for a special watercolor workshop where we will combine Chicago’s unique architecture with holiday trimmings. While Chicago looks great any time of the year, it looks spectacular around the holidays. Wreaths, garlands, and festive décor can be found all around the city from the Magnificent Mile to […]

        $25

        Photographing the Salt Shed: The Intersection of Art and Labor

        Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

        Originally constructed in 1929, the Morton Salt Company Warehouse Complex is a familiar and beloved Chicago Landmark along Elston Avenue near Goose Island. For decades, its enormous hand-painted sign has captivated people traveling along Interstate I-90. As times changed, the property was no longer used for salt storage and processing. Sandra Steinbrecher’s new photography book, […]

        Free

        Teen Saturday Studio – Culinary Architecture: Gingerbread City

        Harold Washington College 30 E Lake St Chicago, Chicago

        Whether you're a baking enthusiast, aspiring architect, or simply love getting creative with food, our gingerbread architecture workshop is sure to delight and inspire. From cottages to modern masterpieces, learn how to incorporate symmetry, balance, and creativity into your gingerbread creations. Join us for a memorable experience filled with laughter, creativity, and plenty of festive […]

        Free

        Teen Saturday Studio – Skyline Sketching with Ryan Chester

        Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

        Skyline Sketching with Ryan Chester Dive into the world of urban art with our Skyline Sketching workshop! In this hands-on session, teens will explore techniques for capturing cityscapes and skylines. Guided by architect and artist, Ryan Chester, participants will learn perspective, shading, and composition to bring their skyline drawings to life. FREE, Advanced Registration Required More […]

        Free

        Teen Saturday Studio: Skyline Sketching with Ryan Chester

        Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

        Dive into the world of urban art with our Skyline Sketching workshop! In this hands-on session, teens will explore techniques for capturing cityscapes and skylines. Guided by architect and artist, Ryan Chester, participants will learn perspective, shading, and composition to bring their skyline drawings to life. FREE - ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED

        Free

        Architect Talk: Carol Ross Barney

        Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

        Dive into an architectural career devoted to people, places and cities, celebrated in the new book, The People’s Architect. A widely admired urbanist, mentor and educator, Carol advocates for excellent design accessible to all—as a right rather than a privilege. Encompassing new schools, libraries, transit stations and parks, including city-defining projects like the Chicago Riverwalk, […]

        $20

        LEGO & Libations

        KOVAL Tasting Room 4241 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago

        LEGO & Libations Friday, January 24th from 7-8:30 PM at KOVAL $20 Description: Who says LEGO are just for kids? Join the CAC team at KOVAL Distillery for a hands-on workshop and enjoy an interactive evening of creativity, design, and fun. Bring a friend or make new ones! Learn about the design process while tackling […]

        Architecture & Design Film Festival Opening Night

        Chicago Cultural Center's Cassidy Theater 78 E Washington St, Chicago

        Join the CAC on Wednesday, January 29, for a reception, film screening and presentation by film makers. Reception will be held at the GAR Rotunda, 2nd Floor North of the Chicago Cultural Center. Screening Schindler Space Architect:  Delve into R.M. Schindler’s groundbreaking work, exploring his unique philosophy of space and his influence on California’s indoor-outdoor living […]

        $30

        ADFF Screening – E. 1027: Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea

        Chicago Cultural Center's Cassidy Theater 78 E Washington St, Chicago

        Architecture & Design Film Festival Screening: This is a story about Eileen Gray's visionary masterpiece, E.1027, and her battle to reclaim control from Le Corbusier’s dominance over her creation. About the Film: She built a house for herself. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a masterpiece. Irish designer Eileen Gray built a refuge on the […]

        $20

        Architecture & Design Film Festival

        Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago 164 N State St, Chicago, IL, United States

        The Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF) and Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), in collaboration with the Gene Siskel Film Center, present ADFF:CHICAGO—an international festival highlighting the best films dedicated to the creative spirit of architecture and design. The festival program showcases films with both a design focus and a human story for a broad audience of industry professionals, design-conscious […]

        $15 – $20

        Don’t Go: Tonika Johnson & Maria Krysan

        Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

        Join us for an evening with Tonika Lewis Johnson and Dr. Maria Krysan discussing their new book, Don’t Go: Stories of Segregation and How to Disrupt It. The program will feature a thought-provoking conversation between the two authors, a Black artist and a White academic, who met through their shared passion for anti-segregation work. Together, […]

        Free

        Teen Saturday Studios – Architecture CGI

        Harold Washington College 30 E Lake St Chicago, Chicago

        Teen Saturday Studios – Architecture CGI Saturday, February 15th from 11 AM – 2 PM at Harold Washington College har FREE Learn about architecture visualization in this unique workshop for teens interested in architecture and digital design. Learn to use CGI to transform architectural concepts into stunning, lifelike images and animations. Throughout this workshop, you’ll […]

        Engineering Fest 2025

        Willis Tower 233 S Wacker Drive, The Metropolitan, 66th Floor, Chicago, IL, United States

        Engineering Fest is the CAC’s premier family event, where young people are invited to imagine and design the worlds they want, need and deserve. Join us for FREE hands-on activities that explore Sustainable Engineering! What is Engineering Fest? Engineering Fest is the Chicago Architecture Center’s premier family event, where young people are invited to imagine […]

        Free

        Design News Roundtable: The Neighborhoods

        Chicago Architecture Center 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

        Join us for the first installment of CAC’s new quarterly Design News Roundtable series, a space for freewheeling conversation with architects, designers, preservationists, community leaders and advocates exploring our ever-changing city. Guest panelists will scour the headlines and opine on recent design, development, and planning news impacting Chicago’s neighborhoods. Housing, preservation and reuse, transportation, sustainability, […]

        $10