Chicago Architecture Biennial

Across from Millennium Park is the Chicago Cultural Center, a former library, that is currently hosting the Chicago Architectural Biennial. The Biennial features many designers and architects from around the world with a wide range of ideas and concepts of how building design is changing. I loved a particular model that depicted a man-made island that featured a dolphin sanctuary. Another project configured rocks that were used to constructed a tall standing structure using rope that was laid in a pattern by an electronic arm. The actual building of the Chicago Cultural Center is a great platform to meander through and discover all the different architectural presentations.

Restoration Hardware

The home furnishings store Restoration Hardware recently opened it's Mid-Western flagship store in Chicago inside a historic building called the Three Arts Club. Featuring four floors and an outdoor roof-top deck, the building is an architectural gem and it was really wonderful walking around inside of it on a Sunday afternoon several weeks ago. The renovation included a restaurant inside an atrium, which set the tone of causal but elegant style that Restoration Hardware is trying to achieve. I found some of the placements of chandeliers over beds somewhat unusual and over-the-top, but overall the decor was tasteful and well designed.