Announcement

The Center will close early at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 22. It will also close early at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 23 for a member event.

CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a non-profit organization that inspires people to discover why design matters.

Open House Chicago is Back!

Oct 19-20, 2024

On October 19-20, CAC will be hosting Open House Chicago, an annual free public festival that provides access to places of architectural, historical, and cultural significance, and highlights businesses, organizations, and creative leaders making positive impact in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.

Explore the 2024 sites

City Tours

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Open House Chicago Photo Competition
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.
competition details
How was your Open House experience?
We 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!
Take the survey

DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The CAC facilitated a design competition for Missing Middle Infill Housing, highlighting innovative ways of reimagining Chicago’s single-family home, two- and three-flat, rowhouse, and six-flat typologies to better meet modern living. Meet the winners and download the design catalog.

About the competition

Is Housing broken?

No matter the city, its size, its demographics, its spatial configuration or architectural bent, housing everywhere seems to be at a crisis point. Learn more about this challenging, important issue from Ben Schulman at New City.

Read the article

screenshot of a video with Chicago Park District Headquarters

DESIGNING FOR COMMUNITIES

In the inaugural edition of our Design Matters video series, architect John Ronan discusses the stunning Chicago Park District Headquarters building in Brighton Park and explores how thoughtful design enhances daily life.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Online Resources

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DESIGN STORE

The CAC Design Store offers a curated collection design-centered items including books, apparel, and gifts.

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Louis Sullivan Ornamental Designs Notecards

$16.95

$14.41 member price

Frank Lloyd Wright Chevron Earrings

$39.95

$33.96 member price

members get more

As a Chicago Architecture Center member, you'll have access to exclusive tours, programs and event year-round. Explore our many benefits.

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MEMBERSHIP

Free Essential Walking Tours

Discounts on virtual programs

Free admission to the Chicago Architecture Center

66% off Premier Walking Tours

Invitations to exclusive members-only events

Priority Access Passes to skip the line during Open House Chicago

what's next for chicago

The greatest gift
Give your time and talent to the CAC as a volunteer docent, exhibit host or education guide.
Volunteer
Support the future of design
The 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.
Donate

CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER

Open House Chicago is Here!

OHC Photo Competition

Open House Chicago is Back!

City Tours

CAC River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady

Macy's on State

Union Station: Icon of a Great Age

Palmer House Hotel

Open House Chicago Photo Competition

How was your Open House experience?

DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Is Housing broken?

DESIGNING FOR COMMUNITIES

Online Resources

Buildings of Chicago

Architecture Encyclopedia

CAC Watchlist

DESIGN STORE

Louis Sullivan Ornamental Designs Notecards

Frank Lloyd Wright Chevron Earrings

members get more

what's next for chicago

Our Changing Downtown

Greening the City

Century and Consumers Buildings

The greatest gift

Support the future of design

City Tours

Visit the Center

Events & Programs

Online Resources

Join & Support

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