The Chicago Architecture Biennial and Mayor Rahm Emmanel announced the curators of the second iteration of the Biennial: the Los Angeles-based firm Johnston Marklee. The studio, which comprises Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee, will be assisted by Todd Palmer of the National Public Housing Museum, who has been named Executive Director. 

The second edition of the Biennial will take place from September 16-December 31, 2017. The two major supporters of the last Biennial will continue their patronage of the event. SC Johnson will provide $2.5 million, while BP will give $1 million. Like last year, the Biennial will be centered in the Chicago Cultural Center in downtown Chicago.

"The Chicago Architecture Biennial's return in 2017 confirms Chicago as an architectural hub," states Mayor Emanuel in the press release. "Last year's edition was a resounding success, and I'm pleased to see the great planning and support for the second Biennial, which will be even better. Not only is the Biennial's return a testament to our city's architectural significance, but it speaks to Chicago's place as one of the world's cultural destinations and our place in the world of architecture and design."

Johnston Marklee have designed numerous residential, commercial, institutional, and exhibition environments. They have been awarded the Progressive Architecture Design Award, the AIA Los Angeles & AIA California Council Honor Awards, American Architecture Award, and an AR Award for Emerging Architecture. 

“While maintaining a deep commitment to architecture history and the discipline’s ongoing discourse, Johnston Marklee draws upon an extensive network of collaborators in related fields, engaging the expertise of contemporary artists, graphic designers, and writers to broaden the breadth of design research,” the studio writes on their website.

Take a look at some of our coverage from last year’s Chicago Biennial. 

• Cutting across the Chicago Architecture Biennial: the Architecture Lobby's uninvited installation takes aim at the field's labor issues
• Cutting across the Chicago Architecture Biennial: the Myth-Making of New-Territories / M4
• Cutting across the Chicago Architecture Biennial: Re-ordering Mies in "We Know How to Order"
• Cutting across the Chicago Architecture Biennial: Pedro y Juana's living room
• Cutting across the Chicago Architecture Biennial: Sou Fujimoto's potato chips and other found architectures
• Cutting across the Chicago Architecture Biennial: "Rock Print" from ETH Zürich and MIT

During last year's Chicago Biennial, Archinect hosted a live-podcasting event, Next Up. Check out those interviews here.