Introduction
About AIA Chicago
AIA Chicago connects locally others in and affiliated with the architecture profession. It is the grassroots effort that provides the best forum for sharing information, ideas, and resources. Chapter boundaries include the city of Chicago and the northern lake shore of Cook County as well as all of Lake and McHenry Counties. Through seminars, committees, a lecture series, and other Chapter programs, members exchange professional experiences and knowledge.
A message from the President
Design Matters
I believe I can state that this issue of Focus is one that we particularly all look forward to reading. It is, of course, the issue that displays our chapter's award- winning designs by some of the leading architects in the U.S. and the world. Yes, critics, I did say the world.
Chicago and other cities have experienced a renewed interest in architecture as art, and some would say that architecture is our number one art form. The appreciation for good and great design has always been a characteristic of keen Chicagoans. This awareness has only been heightened by some great additions to our built landscape by some prominent architects from around the globe. Gehry's Pritzker Pavilion and Koolhaus's IIT Student Center are two great examples. If his previous work is an indication, Piano's Art Institute addition is a work that we can all look forward to experiencing. Having these masters work in our city is a good thing. They positively influence our potential clients and the public on the importance of world-class design.
Does built design matter more? Not necessarily, but as architects we all know the challenges of getting projects built. Winning the commission, meeting client's requirements, making changes, adhering to budgets, making more changes, getting through the construction phase, change orders, punch lists, etc.! I could go on and on, and we all know it first hand. However, it does emphasize that having this built work, which can take years to come to fruition, be judged by a jury of our peers as significant is a great accomplishment.
Brevity in this month's letter is essential as your interest in what follows will cause you to skip reading it otherwise. Congratulations to the winners and celebrate the fact that design does matter.
Thomas Kerwin
President