Disrupters

THE EXHIBITION

This exhibition celebrates the legacy of Chicago women who have shaped architecture and design industries in the Windy City and beyond through the lens of the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Women in Architecture (CWA) professional group.

DISRUPTERS showcases the trailblazing founders of CWA, who 50 years ago broke through the barriers of a male-dominated industry. These pioneers, lacking their own space, sat on the floor of an office to conceive of an organization that would support and uplift women in architecture. The exhibition traces CWA’s journey over the past five decades, celebrating the progress the group has made and its lasting impact on the field while taking a look at the splinter groups that emerged from CWA, some more disruptive than others.

The exhibit was developed in partnership with CWA, Wink Design, Ross Barney Architects, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

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Wall of Women

Inside a gallery space with floor to ceiling windows with models of skyscrapers and people milling around.

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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.

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