Chicago is one of the global centers of the architectural world, not only for its rich history, but also as a stage for continuous innovation and design exploration. This lineage is a major part of why The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) has decided to create the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), a 20,000 square foot project replete with exhibition space, a lecture hall, custom design studios, retail space, and expansive views of the metropolitan skyline. With interiors created by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture on a site plan originally designed by Mies van der Rohe, the CAC will be the new home for the CAF.

One of the coolest parts of the new interior has to be the Skyscape Gallery, which will be host to the permanent Tall Buildings and Innovation Exhibit. The exhibit will feature a 26-foot-tall "double-height" space allowing for a comprehensive investigation of tall buildings, from their history to the latest global breakthroughs in design and construction. This space will also serve as a live gallery of Chicago itself, with remarkable views of both the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue.

This emphasis on tall building design is something with which Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects, as designers of the soon-to-be-completed Jeddah Tower, are intimately familiar. As founding partner Gordon Gill notes, "Architecturally [the CAC] is a gem. The design will create a dynamic and elegant space for CAF that promotes patrons to fully engage in the influence Chicago has on global architecture. The large volume of space fronting the Chicago River also creates an inviting and interactive atmosphere for visitors.”

The center, which is located above the dock for the CAF's river cruises, is slated to open in 2018.