Location - Chicago, IL
Architect - Studio Gang/O'Donnell (now Studio Gang Architects)
Client - Chinese American Service League; R. M. Chin and Associates (developer)
General Contractor - Paul H. Schwendener
Consultants - Thornton Tomasetti Engineers (structural); Consulting Construction Services (now Building Engineering Systems LLC) (mechanical); Site Design Group (landscape); Terra Engineering (civil)
Photographer - Greg Murphey, Greg Murphey Studios Inc.

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Innovative use of materials and simplicity in design strike a balance in this modern community center serving recent Chinese immigrants. The building is tightly organized to house adult and child daycare, chef training, classrooms, counseling, and offices. Materials, color, and pattern signal connections to Chinese culture in an understated manner. A steel lattice sunshade protects the double-height community room and its balcony from solar heat gain while evoking traditional Chinese architecture. Diamond-shaped titanium tiles sheath the upper two floors, creating a wall of changing luminous appearance that pleased jurors. The building features controllable daylighting and ventilation, optimizing comfort and minimizing energy use.