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.
Theater
Superpowers of Ten
October 1 – 3, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
205 E Randolph Street
American choreographer Jessica Lang will create a new dance in collaboration with architect Steven Holl.