Exciting programs, festivals and more

PROGRAMS JUST FOR YOU

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Frank Lloyd Wright's World Heritage Sites
Thursday, January 23 at 6pm

Hear from preservationists and advocates about what went into researching and applying for the World Heritage status that was recently awarded to eight Frank Lloyd Wright sites across the U.S.—including local icons Robie House and Unity Temple. Get tickets→

Adaptable Housing: The Next Chicago Bungalow
Wednesday, January 29 at 12pm

Learn about Adaptable House, a re-imagining of the classic Chicago bungalow as a flexible home that grows with changing family needs. Meet Greg Tamborino, the architect behind the award-winning design, which won the 2019 Disruptive Design competition. Get tickets→

Discover Chicago's Best Green Buildings
Monday, February 24 at 6pm

Chicago is a leader in eco-friendly building design, with civic buildings like libraries and academic facilities often setting the highest bar. Hear architects discuss their newest green projects and explore how the private sector can follow suit. Get tickets→

Chicago's Most Endangered Buildings of 2020
Wednesday, February 26 at 12pm

What are Chicago's most endangered buildings? Find out at the unveiling of Preservation Chicago's 18th annual "Chicago 7" list. The list identifies architecturally significant structures that preservationists hope to save from the wrecking ball. Register for free→

IN THE NEWS

CAC President and CEO Lynn Osmond accepted a three-year appointment with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, under the office of Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Said the Mayor, "It is critical that we continue to build out our boards and commissions with individuals who are committed to creating a city that is fair and equitable for everyone, no matter their zip code. These individuals are committed to ensuring that Chicago provides every resident the services and opportunities they need not to just live, but to thrive and prosper." Lynn has also been appointed as Vice Chair of Choose Chicago. Both of these positions will further enhance CAC's leadership in the Chicago community.

More information

To get an even more in-depth look at Chicago's historic structures, check out the Chicago Historic Resources Survey—a searchable database containing over 17,000 properties.

PERK ALERT

SAVE AT THE Staypineapple Hotel

CAC members save 10% on best available room rates at the Staypineapple Hotel, a 122-room boutique hotel located in the historic Reliance Building.

BOOK

DID YOU KNOW...

...That the Reliance Building was supposed to be a "self-cleaning" skyscraper? At a time when thick coal smoke blanketed the city, its architects sought to create a building that could keep itself spotless. Glazed terra cotta cladding provided what was thought to be a perfect solution, since its smooth surface would allow any dirt to wash away in the rain. Though that belief ultimately turned out to be unfounded, it inspired the Reliance Building's most distinct feature: a facade shining with glass and white tile.

LEARN MORE

SAVE THE DATE

ENGINEERING FEST

February 22 and 23 from 9:30am–4pm

Learn how cities move and groove during our annual Engineering Fest! Drop by anytime between 9:30am and 4pm on February 22 and 23 to build and learn, view exhibits, meet engineers and discover systems that move us around Chicago. The theme for this year's festival is "Cities on the Move." Kids ages 12 and younger are FREE.

TICKETS

The next CAC Member Night is on Wednesday, March 18. Save the date for this exciting event!

OUR MOST POPULAR FACEBOOK POST OF 2019

Glistening skyscrapers, vibrant neighborhoods, an awesome lakefront: that's your Chicago. It's easy to see why this dreamlike aerial video was our top Facebook post last year. (Trust us, it's awesome.) Watch now!

Follow the CAC on Facebook to see more and join the conversation.

WATCH

Architecture critic and photographer Lee Bey—whose recent book talk here at the CAC sold out—takes a New York Times journalist on a tour of notable, uniquely Chicago workspaces.

Bey's book documents 60 significant buildings on the South Side, including St. Gabriel Catholic Church, a Burnham & Root gem dating back to 1888; the John Ronan-designed Gary C. Comer Youth Center; pioneering works by African American architects John Moutoussamy and Roger Margerum, and lesser-known houses by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright and John Van Bergen.

WHERE DO THE RIVER CRUISE BOATS GO TO HIBERNATE IN THE WINTER?

CBS 2 Chicago recently reported on the wintertime activities of boats operated by Chicago's First Lady, our longtime official partner for the river cruise.

The tour boats are docked at the Pier 11 Marina on the South Side of Chicago until spring.

Vessels like the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady undergo a "dry dock" inspection. This process involves driving the boat all the way to Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

"Once they arrive, they take a 500-ton travel lift to get her out of the water so they can check to make sure her U.S.-made steel is in good shape, the bottom is not damaged and the framing/propellers etc., are okay," a Chicago's First Lady Cruise spokesperson said.

Save the date for the start of river cruise season on March 15!

CAC INSTAGRAM

Calling all shutterbugs, professional and amateur alike! Have you seen great architecture or design recently? We want to see it too! Send us your best photos with descriptions for a chance to be featured in an upcoming edition of Inside CAC—and remember to use #chiarchitecture.