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Chicago Architecture Foundation Launches 50 Projects for 50 Wards Exhibit

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The concepts address issues like environmental sustainability and job creation

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) has taken the wraps off a new exhibition titled "50 Designers, 50 Ideas, 50 Wards." Working in partnership with UrbanLab, the non-profit organization assigned 50 local architects, artists, and designers one of Chicago’s neighborhood wards to envision new projects that explore one of four themes: activate, reclaim, gather, and dwell.

Penned by designers such as Amanda Williams, Carol Ross Barney, Krueck + Sexton, Perkins + Will, and Studio Gang, each transformative concept is highly contextualized to address the individual need of each unique community as they aim to address critical urban issues such as transit connectivity, affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and job creation. While some of the designs are more fanciful, others are already in progress or have the potential to be executed within the next five years.

The free exhibit is located in the rotunda of CAF’s 224 S. Michigan Avenue headquarters with the projects presented on 50 suspended panels in a ring encircling the foundation’s iconic 3D-printed model of downtown Chicago. "50 Designers, 50 Ideas, 50 Wards" will be on display through December with CAF hosting an array of related programming including lectures, tours, teen, family, and educator events.