The Chicago City Model Experience is the star attraction in the Chicago Gallery, featuring more than 4,000 buildings and interactive elements that tell amazing stories of the city.
The Exhibition
Since its debut in 2009, the Chicago Model has been an icon, beloved by tourists and locals alike. The Model was enhanced and expanded in 2018 to include more than 4,000 buildings. A film and light show illuminate the model with the amazing story of Chicago’s early growth, its rebirth after the Great Chicago Fire and its ever-changing skyline, which includes some of the world’s first skyscrapers and iconic modern towers made of steel and glass.
Interactive touch screens around the Model allow visitors to orient themselves to Chicago, search for buildings by architect or architectural style and see data projected on the Model.
A gift of DSM Additive Manufacturing
Photo by James Steinkamp
Photo by Anna Munzesheimer
Photo by Michael Courier
Photo by Anthony Tahlier
Visit the CAC
Located at 111 E. Wacker Drive in Chicago and opened to the public in 2018, the Center’s riverfront location is in the heart of the city. Nearly 10,000 square feet of exhibition space features super-sized models and views of iconic skyscrapers. Learn more about the Chicago Architecture Center and its mission to inspire people to discover why design matters.
Visit the Center
Exhibitions
On View Now
View All Exhibitions- October 4 - November 2
ReCovered: Lawndale’s Urban Tree Canopy
A FREE pop-up exhibition in Lawndale exploring the role of trees in our city. Opens October 4 and runs through the fall. - September 9 - January 5
Disrupters
Celebrating 50 Years of Chicago Women in Architecture - October 4
ReCovered: Lawndale’s Urban Tree Canopy
A FREE pop-up exhibition in Lawndale exploring the role of trees in our city. Opens October 4 and runs through the fall. - April 25 - January 5
Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtowns
Chicago’s Loop is at an inflection point, emerging from the pandemic on shaky footing but also with abundant opportunity.
Exhibitions
