Exhibitions - Chicago Tours | Chicago Architecture Foundation

Chicago Model City

B Like Burnham

Chicago: You Are Here

Exhibition Archives

Located at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 South Michigan Avenue

Extended Due to Popular Demand!

COST Free and open to the public, Chicago Model City open 7 days a week from 9am-6:30pm.
LOCATION Atrium Gallery, 224 South Michigan Avenue

How does a region as vast and complex as Chicago take shape? What are the goals of officials, real estate developers, corporations, and citizens who structure urban life? Chicago Model City tells the stories behind the planning of Chicago.

Rapid growth, innovative design, and a diverse population helped make Chicago a symbol of the modern city. Beyond this, Chicago became a model a means of understanding cities and citizens everywhere. This exhibition explores Chicago’s role as a model for city-building.

The centerpiece of Chicago Model City is a 320-square-foot model of downtown that enables you to see Chicago as you’ve never seen it before. It is the only accurate and up-to-date model of the city.

Chicago Model City also features a unique 1950s model of the Eisenhower Expressway and Blue Line; a digital visualization of demolition and rebuilding on Chicago’s Near South Side; a model portraying the green renovation of the Willis Tower; a visualization of runway expansions at O’Hare International Airport; and an exploration of the 1909 Plan of Chicago.

View Chicago Model City Programs

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WTTW Chicago Tonight
aired November 4,2009

GALLERY TALKS

Fridays and Saturdays at 12:30pm

FREE No reservations necessary.

MEET in the Santa Fe Building atrium,
224 South Michigan Avenue

CAF volunteers will lead 20-minute gallery talks that introduce visitors to the ideas and themes behind the new exhibition, Chicago Model City. Learn how a region as vast and complex as Chicago takes shape as a result of various planning efforts, both big and small.

LEADING SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:


	Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

B Like Burnham is presented by Peoples Gas

June 11–November 20

COST Free and open to the public
LOCATION Lecture Hall Gallery, 224 South Michigan Avenue

B Like Burnham is a kid-friendly exhibition celebrating the life and work of architect, Daniel H. Burnham. This exhibition is part of CAF's celebration of the 1909 Plan of Chicago. Chicago Model City features an awesome, kid-sized model of downtown Chicago. Don’t miss it!

Chicago: You Are Here
Chicago: You Are Here provides a tour of the spaces, places, and structures that define Chicago. It highlights the people who built the city, from the Sears Tower to the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

Explore Chicago’s architecture, infrastructure, and environment. Whether you’re a first time visitor or a long time resident, Chicago: You Are Here is your starting point for understanding Chicago.

• Learn how to find the “zero point” on Chicago’s street grid using a scale model
• Watch a video of an L ride
• Examine an original image of the packing house at the Union Stock Yards
• Explore Chicago’s image through the World’s Columbian Exposition
• Listen to the crowds at Wrigley Field or the wolves howling at Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago: You Are Here includes sounds from around Chicagoland recorded by Chicago Public Radio station producers and listeners as part of the Sonic Soundscapes project. Find out more information at www.chicagopublicradio.org

Chicago: You Are Here is a permanent exhibition located in the ArcelorMittal CitySpace Gallery. The exhibition is free and open to the public daily from 9:30am to 5pm.

Chicago: You Are Here was made possible by the support of ArcelorMittal and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.