On September 26, 2017 the second-ever Chicago Architecture Biennial opened to all as a showcase for a diverse body of work from over 140 practitioners and artists, representing more than 20 countries and working with this year’s theme, “Make New History.” The Biennial is a fascinating event where everyone from students of architecture to today’s leading architects along with curious people come together to explore and engage with work from some of the world’s leading architectural minds. The event is definitely far more than photos of facades and drawings -- the exhibits tend to be unexpected and inventive, challenging visitors to reexamine their views on what space and buildings can be.

This year, there are exhibitions spread throughout six anchor sites in the city that draw participants out of the Loop into the rich history, culture, and, of course, architecture of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Be sure to check the hours of the location you intend to visit before setting out, as all seven sites keep slightly different hours. In keeping with the Biennial’s mission of making architecture relevant and accessible to all, venues are open to the public free of charge. As far as getting there, public transit or bicycle is, as always, usually your best bet, but you should be able to find parking near all of the venues, albeit for a fee in most cases. With that said, let’s take a look at some the sites. 

Chicago Cultural Center - Loop

Completed in 1897, this stunning neo-classical structure stands out even among the dramatic architecture and commercial glitz of Michigan Avenue. Most people are surprised to learn that this grand building with its three-story vaulted marble lobby, Tiffany glass dome, and intricate mosaics served as a public library until 1977, after which it was converted to an arts and cultural center. Since then, the Chicago Cultural Center, often referred as the “People’s Palace,” has opened its doors to the public as a showcase for artists and performers both local and international. 

As in the past, the Cultural Center serves as the primary venue for exhibitions and events during the Chicago Architecture Biennial. There are more than 100 individual architects, artists, schools, and firms represented, ranging from models in the Hall of Plinths that illustrate wildly inventive and thought-provoking concepts to semi-permanent exhibitions, like Tokyo’s Atelier Bow-wow’s Piranesi Circus, which connects windows in the building’s courtyard with rope bridges, ladders, and pathways. ‘Lake 33rd’, a collaboration between Japanese firm SANAA and the IIT College of Architecture, take the form of a huge installation that reimagines 33rd Street as a garden pedestrian path running through Bronzeville, complete with altered topography that connects the inland parts of the city with Lake Michigan. 

Beverly Arts Center – Beverly

Photo Courtesy of Beverly Arts Center

The Beverly Arts Center’s 42,000 square-foot multidisciplinary studio, exhibition gallery, and 400-seat performance space on the city’s southwest side draws attention to the well-preserved architectural heritage of Beverly and its surrounding area. Beverly itself is a unique neighborhood with larger lot sizes, allowing for a wide variety of home styles that range from the traditional to the modern and features the work of architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Ed Dart.

The exhibition itself provides a great deal of context to help visitors understand the significance of the neighborhood and its architecture. With that, be sure to get out and explore the neighborhood and see for yourself the wonderfully varied and well-kept architectural diversity of the area’s homes. Many people, even native Chicagoans, are surprised by the neighborhood’s gently rolling hills, which distinguish it further from the rest of exceptionally flat Chicago.

DePaul Art Museum - Lincoln Park

Photo Courtesy of DePaul Art Museum

Lisbon-based artist Ângela Ferreira has a solo exhibition titled ZIp Zap and Zumbi, which runs through December 10th at the DePaul Art Museum in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Ferreira’s work uses buildings and structures as touchstones to explores complex legacies in both Portugal and Sub-Saharan Africa. The exhibitions encourages dialog while exploring the time and geographies of the modernist designs of Mies van der Rohe, Mozambican architect Pancho Guesdes, and the vernacular architecture of Brazil, Portugal, and countries throughout Africa. 

This relatively new museum, which was designed by Chicago-based firm Antunovich Associates, was built in 2011 and is very conveniently located very near the Fullerton CTA Brown/Red line station. Validated parking is also available for motorists. Lincoln Park has several thriving commercial and entertainment thoroughfares. History buffs can visit the Biograph Theater and its adjacent alley where infamous bank robber John Dillinger met his end. Heading east along Fullerton Avenue by bus or foot, visitors can experience the neighborhood’s namesake park with its beautiful conservatory, free zoo, and impressive Elks National Memorial, which was featured during Open House Chicago and is open to the public. 

DuSable Museum of African American History - Washington Park

Photo by TonytheTiger / CC BY-SA

This Smithsonian-affiliated museum in Washington Park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a Haitian fur trader who holds the distinction of being the first non-Native American permanent settler in the territory that became Chicago. Established in 1961 and in its current location since 1973, the museum explores African American history, culture, and art. 

In addition to the museum’s permanent collections highlighting African Americans invaluable contributions to the city’s culture and history, visitors can also experience ‘Chicago: A Southern Exposure,’ which, much like the museum, highlights a part of the city’s history that is all too often overlooked. The exhibition is the first of its kind, featuring the photographs of Lee Bey, a native South Side resident who documents the incredible variety and beauty of South Side architecture. Also at the DuSable Museum is ‘Singing Stones,’ an exhibition of French and Chicago artists curated by Katell Jaffrès of Palais de Tokyo in Paris. 

Hyde Park Art Center - Hyde Park

Photo Courtesy of MoMA

Billing itself as Chicago’s longest-operating alternative exhibition space, the Hyde Park Art Center has called many different buildings and spaces home over the years. It is now located on South Cornell Avenue just north of Hyde Park Boulevard near Chicago’s lakefront. The art center is the home of two exhibitions during this installment of the Biennial. ‘Materials Decoded’ presents the work of architects in-residence Ryan Gann and Karl Ochmanek who have studied, in great detail, brick and sheet glass, respectively. Visitors can take a rare glimpse of these artists’ studios as they analyze, reassemble, and repurpose these humble materials.

In Gallery 1, Chicago-based artist Sara Black and Raewyn Martyn of New Zealand have constructed an installation that is impressive both in its size as well as immersive qualities. ‘Edward Hines National Forest’ examines the far-reaching impact of the lumber industry that once was a major part of the South Branch of the Chicago River. In addition to the beautiful lake views, one can also take in the grand Gothic revival architecture of Rockefeller Chapel at University of Chicago or have a bite at Valois Restaurant, a neighborhood favorite with many devoted fans. Be sure to sound like a local and skip the French pronunciation -- ‘Valois’ rhymes with ‘noise’.

National Museum of Mexican Art - Pilsen

Photo by Tim Marklew / CC BY

"Placemaking & Landmarks: The Creation of Mexican Spaces in la Dieciocho" showcases elements of the museum's permanent collection as well as selections from other Chicago photographic archives, highlighting the development of both physical spaces and cultural structures in the communities of Pilsen and others throughout Chicago. Organized in 1982 and opening its doors five years later, the museum presents a broad spectrum of Mexican art, ranging from ancient Mesoamerican civilizations to contemporary art that seeks to capture a broad range of culture and experiences. Be sure to check out the bilingual displays of pieces from the permanent collection too, which features more than 10,000 works 

Located in Harrison Park and just two blocks from the 18th Street CTA Pink Line stop, the museum is as easy to get to as it is rewarding to visit. Head towards the business district at 18th Street and Blue Island Avenue and you’ll experience businesses catering to longtime residents alongside trendy shops and restaurants. From counter-service taquerias to Bib Gourmand-rated fine dining establishments, there’s a little bit of everything in this exciting enclave of Chicago.

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture - Humboldt Park 

Photo by Plij / CC BY-SA

The life and work of landscape architect Jens Jensen is not as well known as Louis Sullivan or Daniel Burnham, though his contributions to the city’s park system are arguably as important as their work on skyscrapers. Jensen was instrumental in designing many of the city’s parks, including Humboldt and Garfield Parks, that truly uphold the city’s motto urbs in horto, or, ‘city in a garden’. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is housed in Humboldt Park’s former stables, which showcase an exceptionally dramatic Queen Anne-revival style that also once housed Jensen’s offices. The museum is dedicated to interpreting, promoting, and advancing Puerto Rican arts and culture in one of Chicago’s most dynamic neighborhoods, Humboldt Park.

 As a part of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, ‘‘The Humboldt Park Stables: A Transition into the Future’ explores the past, present, and future of the neighborhood, its residents, and the heritage of the national landmark it is housed in. The park itself is among the jewels of the Chicago park system and definitely merits exploration. Take a walk west along Division Street, known as Paseo Boricua, which is marked by two enormous steel sculptures depicting the Puerto Rican flag, designed by Chicago firm De Stefano & Partners. In addition to the community centers, restaurants, and shops catering to neighborhood residents, keep an eye out for the many murals depicting important people and events in Puerto Rican history and culture.