Starting October 3, over 100 designers convene for a full-on architecture biennial in Chicago that will take over most of the city’s cultural venues with what is the largest survey of contemporary architecture in North America. Architects from around the world will exhibit, examine, and discuss the Biennial’s theme, “The State of the Art of Architecture.” Here are our editor’s picks for the can’t-miss things to see at this year’s Biennial.

Main Exhibition

Chicago Architecture Biennial
Through January 3, 2016

BOLD: Alternative Scenarios for Chicago
Through January 3, 2016

118 N Peoria Street

James Wines—of SITE fame—will show drawings from his collection that features more than 150 architecture, landscape, interior, and exhibition projects.

BMO Harris Bank Chicago Works: Ania Jaworska
Through January 31, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Barbara Kasten: Stages
Through January 9, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
that will be installed along the lakeshore in Millennium Park through the duration of the Biennial.

Cent Pavilion

Pezo von Ellrichshausen with Illinois Institute of Technology

The Cent Pavilion—a 40-foot tower of silent and convoluted simplicity—was designed by Chilean architecture firm Pezo von Ellrichshausen with the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Rock

Kunlé Adeyemi with The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Rock is a pop-up pavilion—a public sculpture—composed from the raw and historic limestone blocks that once protected the city’s shoreline.

Summer Vault

Paul Preissner and Paul Anderson with University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture

Summer Vault consists of basic geometric shapes—a 12-foot-diameter barrel vault, a parallelogram, triangles—that create a freestanding hangout.

Lakefront Kiosk Competition—Chicago Horizon

Partner Exhibitions

It’s Elemental

Through January 3, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Chicago Interiors
October 15 – December 12, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Symposia/Workshops

Next Up: Chicago Architecture Biennial Participant Presentations
October 3, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Designed to Eat

December 4, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.