AIA Chicago

Recognize Excellence: Nominate for the AIA Chicago Distinguished Service Award. Since 1955, the AIA Chicago Board of Directors has honored individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding service to Chicago's architectural community. This is your chance to shine a light on those who make a difference! We are now accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award through November 5. More information: https://lnkd.in/g_SpdB7b

Join the conversation and help shape Chicago's housing future! 🏙️ AIA Chicago is launching the Housing Regulatory Reform Task Force to address the critical challenges of housing production and high costs in our city. We're assembling a group of experts—architects, designers, and allied professionals—for a targeted 9-month effort to deliver actionable policy and code recommendations to City of Chicago departments. We're seeking applications from: ➡️ Experts familiar with the Chicago Building Code and permitting process. ➡️ Professionals with experience in residential design, affordable housing, and urban planning. ➡️ Individuals passionate about shaping our built environment. Ready to make an impact? Apply today and let's build a better Chicago together: https://lnkd.in/gq5YKG_w

Join us next Third Thursday for a special evening as AIA Chicago honors a true architectural icon: Adrian Smith, FAIA, RIBA, recipient of the 2025 AIA Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award! 🏆 Thursday, October 16, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 PM Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, 30 West Monroe Street, Suite 400, Chicago Adrian Smith's visionary 55-year career has profoundly shaped both Chicago and the world's skyline, from local landmarks like the Millennium Park Master Plan and Lake Shore East revitalization to global titans like the Burj Khalifa and the upcoming Jeddah Tower. He truly redefined the supertall. Register: https://lnkd.in/gCRRH-nF Thank you to our event sponsors: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (Host) Thornton Tomasetti, (Community-Builder) Bricks Incorporated, McNICHOLS CO., and PAC-CLAD | Petersen (Influencer) Berglund Construction, Clark Construction Group, MAPS, Schuler Shook, Stantec, Ware Malcomb (Advocate)

We are still celebrating the huge honor bestowed upon our Executive Director, Jen Masengarb, Assoc AIA, who received the Lynn J Osmond, Legacy Award from the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) at their Designing Futures Gala last week. This prestigious award recognized Jen as a visionary leader whose dedication has inspired and equipped the next generation in architecture, construction, engineering, and design. Jen’s profound impact includes her nearly two decades at the CAC (2000-2018), where she authored influential educational works like The Architecture Handbook and Schoolyards to Skylines. Congratulations again to Jen on this truly well-deserved recognition of her enduring legacy and commitment to shaping a better built future!

Congratulations to Carole Wedge FAIA LEED AP! AIA Chicago looks forward to working alongside you and the team at The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

In April, Executive Director Jen Masengarb, Assoc AIA, sat down with the heads of each school for a conversation on how architecture schools - and AIA Chicago - are shaping the next generation of design professionals. Participants included David Brown, Acting Director of the School of Architecture, University of Illinois Chicago; Reed Kroloff, Dean of the College of Architecture, Illinois Institute of Technology; Nicholas Lowe, John H. Brian Chair of Historic Preservation, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; and Tristan Sterk, Chair of Architecture and Interior Architecture, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Also highlighted are Francisco J. Rodríguez-Suárez, FAIA, Director and Clayton T. Miers Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Sean M. Gallagher, AIA, Professor at Judson University. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gHWwEGTE

Chicago once again proves why it’s the capital of cutting-edge design. AIA Chicago and the Chicago Architecture Center have announced the winners of the 2025 Lerch Bates Inc. Bates People’s Choice Awards, honoring projects that redefine skylines, transform neighborhoods, and showcase the city’s architectural brilliance—from soaring towers like 360 N Green to community-driven gems like the Humboldt Park Wellness Center. WATCH AIA Chicago Executive Director, Jen Masengarb, Assoc AIA on Fox32 Chicago share the winners! https://lnkd.in/gYJNYEZU Kudos to the winners: COMMUNITY & CIVIC: City of Appleton Public Library, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) CULTURAL: Continuing a Radical Craft: Design Interventions at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Michal Koszycki, AIA, and Titus Wonsey EDUCATION: Ironworkers Local 63 Training Facility, Gensler HEALTHCARE & RESEARCH: Humboldt Park Wellness Center, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA) HOSPITALITY & RETAIL: The Alston, Heidi Lightner Architects; and Journeyman Distillery at the American Factory, RATIO Design MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL: Embry, LJC OFFICE: Boston Consulting Group, LJC SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL: Chatham Residence, Heidi Lightner Architects TALL BUILDING: 360 North Green, Gensler and Sterling Bay Design Studio UNBUILT: Bronzeville Evolve, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA)

An evening to remember! ✨ We’re still buzzing from a fantastic Designight 2025. It was incredible to celebrate with nearly 1,200 members and friends at the Awards Ceremony, honoring the best of Chicago architecture. The energy and passion were contagious, and it was a true showcase of our city’s design talent. The celebration continued with 500+ of you at the After Party. View and download photos from the event: https://lnkd.in/g2iDCuey Thanks to everyone who came out to connect, celebrate, and dance the night away. A special thanks to our Host Committee: Charles T. Smith, FAIA, LEED AP; Susan Brain, AIA PMP LEED AP; Joseph Caprile, FAIA; Lori Day, AIA, LEED AP; Sara Fetterolf, AIA; Todd Hensley, Affil. AIA Chicago; Eric Singer, Affil. AIA Chicago; Neil Sondgeroth, AIA; and James Young, AIA.

Enter to win a one-of-a-kind sketch by 2025 AIA Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree Adrian Smith, FAIA, or AIA Chicago member and published artist Ryan Chester, AIA! All proceeds go directly to the AIA Chicago Foundation! Visit AIAChicago.org/Raffle to participate Raffle Ticket Price: $20 each - Increase your odds of winning and provide crucial funding to the AIA Chicago Foundation with every ticket you purchase. Winners announced on September 22, 2025 and will be contacted via email. All are encouraged to participate! You do not have to be present at Designight 2025 to purchase or win.