Archinect - News

Here's how Chicago's mayoral candidates responded to the Built Environment Questionnaire

2023-02-15T12:31:00-05:00

Three of the eight challengers to unseat incumbent Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot have so far responded to a questionnaire issued by a coalition of local chapters of architects, landscape architects, and planners asking for their input on the Windy City’s built environment.

Candidates Ja'Mal Green, Kam Buckner, and Brandon Johnson answered the seven-question prompt asking their positions on a range of issues that included zoning transparency, planning initiatives, the city’s recent Climate Action Plan, racial inequities, and urban policy.

In their replies, a divergent vision for the city’s future can be seen. One of the most important points related to the Climate Action Plan includes a wide array of responses, all of which called for it to be taken in a direction not previously espoused by the current administration. Ja'Mal Green said that it “must go even further,” adding his own idea for a citywide Green New Deal — a sentiment echoed by his counterpart Johnson, who also called for ...

AIA Chicago honors former chapter President Peter Exley with a Presidential Citation Award

2021-12-09T18:09:00-05:00

The AIA Chicago has honored one of its own with a Presidential Citation Award. Current AIA National President Peter Exley, FAIA, RIBA was recognized Wednesday for his ongoing work advancing the architectural profession begun more than three decades ago when the young Newcastle University and University of Pennsylvania graduate took a role in the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Exley was commended by chapter President Jessica Figenholtz for his “spirited service to the Institute and our profession; advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion; leading the architectural charge against climate change; and representing Chicago with the upmost professionalism.”

Exley served as President of the Chicago chapter in 2013, and has since risen to the highest national position within the organization after being named the AIA National President in 2020. Exley has lectured at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for 29 years and keeps an office in the city through his fir...

Architecture community speaks out over unexplained departure of AIA Chicago Executive VP Zurich Esposito

2020-08-28T15:45:00-04:00

Members of Chicago's architecture community have spoken out in recent days over the abrupt and unexplained departure of AIA Chicago Executive Vice President Zurich Esposito, a highly regarded figure in the city's professional community who is praised for undertaking a variety of successful initiatives to increase the organization's stature.

On August 13th, AIA Chicago published news of Esposito's departure in a brief statement announcing that the Executive Vice President was "no longer with AIA Chicago" without further explanation for the change. The organization also thanked Esposito "for his 14 years of service to the organization and the architecture and design community," offering additionally that "We are focused on the future and plan to begin a national search for a permanent replacement in the coming weeks."

On August 25th, Mark Schmieding, FAIA of Goettsch Partners created a petition expressing "utmost concern with the actions of the AIA Chicago Board of Directors" regardin...

AIA Chicago responds to AIA CEO's statement in support of President-elect Donald Trump

2016-11-14T20:00:00-05:00

The AIA Chicago Board of Directors wants to assure our members that we do not support the recent statement made by national AIA on November 10, which prematurely expressed the support of AIA’s 89,000 members for an unarticulated infrastructure agenda made by the incoming presidential administration.

Chicago's AIA chapter has joined a growing list of local chapters, individuals and other architectural organizations who have expressed concerns over AIA CEO Robert Ivy's statement in support of the Trump administration. For a complete run-down of the debacle and its evolution into the #NotMyAIA hashtag, see our explainer.

The Chicago AIA's statement, written by senior board members, was originally published on their website on November 14. Its complete form is as follows:

To members of AIA Chicago:

The AIA Chicago Board of Directors wants to assure our members that we do not support the recent statement made by national AIA on November 10, which prematurely expressed the support of AIA’s 89,000 members for an unarticulated infrastructure agenda made by the incoming presidential administration. Further, we are committed to working with all of you to deepen our diversity and inclusion initiatives, and to continue the discussions that affect positive change on issues that are critical to...

AIA Chicago celebrates 2015 Small Project awardees

2015-05-01T21:28:00-04:00

The AIA Chicago's Small Project Awards is that extra nudge reminding us that small firms and small-scale projects are not to be overlooked and underestimated. Today, the Chapter announced this year's winners at a festive party at Chicago's Architectural Artifacts. The exhibition showcased all the competition entries from this year, and attendees had the chance to meet the architects behind the work. Every year, AIA Chicago's Small Project Awards give a big shoutout to the city's emerging architectural firms as well as exceptional local small projects.

P.K. VanderBeke, Architect received the sole Honor Award for their Live/Work Gallery project, wherein the architect transformed a century-old factory space into a functional and sustainable live/work gallery while maintaining the space's "romantic ruin" character.

Six additional firms received Citations of Merit:

MGLM Architects - Acanthus Awards Medal

Froelich Kim Architecture - Box Within A Box

Dirk Denison Architects - Cast Aluminum Tabl...

AIA Chicago highlights emerging firms in 2014 Small Projects Awards

2014-05-14T20:26:00-04:00

AIA Chicago gave a big shoutout to some of the city's best small and emerging architectural firms in the annual 2014 Small Projects Awards. The awards program promotes upcoming small firms as a resource for design excellence and also the valuable contributions of architects in even the smallest works. Out of 96 entries, 13 projects received awards -- including four Honor Awards and one Special Recognition.

HONOR AWARDS

(pictured above) dSPACE Studio - The Wave

Paul Preissner Architects & Indie Architecture - Two Barns

Johnson & Lee Architects and Planners - Ping Tom Park Boathouse

Searl Lamaster Howe Architects - Harbert Cottage

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Illinois Institute of Technology - Barnsworth Exhibiton Center

CITATIONS OF MERIT

Bureau of Architecture and Design - Little You

Dirk Denison Architects - Cell Table

dSPACE Studio - Atrium House

Kuklinski + Rappe Architects - Woodland Dune Home

Lawton Stanley Architects - Grace Restaurant

Longo Park Design Workshop - Onward Reception Wall

Vinci | Hamp Architects - The Club for Modern Fashions

Wrap Architecture - Safe House

More details on each project at Bustler.

Goettsch Partners named as 2013 AIA Chicago Firm of the Year

2013-12-05T20:58:00-05:00

Goettsch Partners was chosen to receive AIA Chicago's highest honor as the 2013 Firm of the Year [...] When selecting the recipient, a firm's entire history is taken to account, with special attention given to their work and accomplishments in the past decade.

Here's a few of Goettsch Partners' projects:

See more images on Bustler.

Images courtesy of Goettsch Partners.