Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a hobbyist with a camera phone, this is your chance to show off your best photos taken while exploring Open House Chicago sites. Submit your entries by October 27.
CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER
The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a non-profit organization that inspires people to discover why design matters.
OHC Hotel Partners
Spend a weekend exploring the city of architecture and take advantage of discounted rates at our partner hotels for the weekend of October 17-19.
Constructing Hope: Ukraine
Visit this new exhibition that explores short and long term reconstruction efforts in Ukraine bringing together a wide range of grassroots projects to illustrate how architecture can foster mutual aid and facilitate crucial support networks for entire communities.
HELP US WIN BEST BOAT TOUR
The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady has been nominated for Best Boat Tour in USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. With your support, CAC can win #1! Vote daily now through May 26 to help us secure the top spot.
City Tours
- Walking
Graceland Cemetery
Discover Graceland Cemetery’s tranquil beauty and hear fascinating stories of Chicago’s influential figures interred here. - Walking
Explore Chinatown
Discover the art, architecture and history of Chinatown. - Walking
Walk Pilsen
Discover Pilsen’s vibrant street art, historic landmarks, and dynamic cultural heritage. - Walking
Historic Austin
Visit Austin’s historic late 19th and early 20th century houses, schools and storefronts.
The Cruise that Puts Architecture First
Whatever architectural style floats your boat, you can see and learn more about it from our passionate, informative docents aboard the river's finest vessels.
FILM FEST 2025
River cruise tickets on sale now!
How was your Open House experience?
Take the surveyWe hope you enjoyed exploring the city with us. Please take our survey to tell us about your experience. And save the date for Oct 18-19, 2025!
Open House Chicago
Save the date, OHC returns October 18-19 with 200+ sites across 25 neighborhoods.
Exhibitions
Plan your visit
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions- June 23 - October 26
The Prize is the Beginning
Illuminating Architectural Excellence Through the Americas Prize. - September 29 - April 19
The Disappointed Tourist
“Is there some place that you would like to visit or revisit that no longer exists?” This is the question posed by The Disappointed Tourist, an on-going project by artist Ellen Harvey presented in nearly 300 paintings at the CAC.
Exhibitions
Empowering the future of Chicago
The CAC offers design education to students from Pre-K to adults. With your support, we can continue to empower Chicagoans to shape a more equitable, sustainable vibrant city. Learn more about what the CAC offers. Watch the video.
Stadium Working Group
The CAC has convened a group of 20 civic, business and industry leaders to rethink the model of how professional sports franchises and government collaborate such that everybody wins.
Built on Belief
The CAC is seeking a site partner to collaborate on a year-long public project that explores the intersections of architecture, religion, and spirituality; expanding public access to Chicago’s rich religious heritage.
Behind the Exhibition
Learn more about Chicago Architecture Center's newest exhibition, Constructing Hope: Ukraine from one of the curators, Sasha Topolnytska.
Upcoming program
On April 23, join us for Constructing Housing During Crisis: Ukraine, a discussion of the role of temporary housing as a place of care and healing during the ongoing crisis. This program is hosted in collaboration with the exhibition Constructing Hope: Ukraine which is currently on view in the CAC’s Skyscraper Gallery through September 1, 2025
DESIGN STORE
The CAC Design Store offers a curated collection design-centered items including books, apparel, and gifts.
Louis Sullivan Ornamental Designs Notecards
$16.95
$14.41 member price
Frank Lloyd Wright Chevron Earrings
$39.95
$33.96 member price
The greatest gift
VolunteerGive your time and talent to the CAC as a volunteer docent, exhibit host or education guide.
Support the future of design
DonateThe CAC relies on donors like you to help fund our design education programs. We're grateful for every one-time contributor and life-long supporter.