the available city revitalizes vacant urban spaces

 

the 2021 edition of the chicago architecture biennial, dubbed the available city, presents an urban design foundation that intends to transform vacant lots into vivid collective spaces. over 80 contributors from more than 18 countries take part in this ongoing exploration — which reflects the needs of communities and neighborhoods — through site-specific artistic and architectural projects, exhibitions, and programs. transformative potentials sought to bring ideas to life in response to the more than ten thousand city-owned vacant areas in the south and west sides of chicago.

 

among these projects, atelier bow-wow, studio ossidiana and studio barnes contribute with their interactive installations, while manuel herz gives color to the central park theater façade.

 

the available city revives ideas for collective spaces at the chicago architecture biennial
central park theater by manuel herz (basel, switzerland), organized in partnership with central park theater restoration committee for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial

all images courtesy of nathan keay, unless stated otherwise 

 

 

the city as a site for urban experimentation

 

architects, designers, and residents, present ideas that highlight the potential of vacant spaces, visualizing a network of areas that could work as a cohesive urban landscape. through diverse forms and activities; big and small-scale installations, performances, programs, workshops, and essays, the city is transformed into a canvas for an endless creation of new spaces, inspiring new ways of living.

 

the available city (see more here) curated by david brown, invites an open conversation responding to the question of ‘who gets to participate in the design of the city by exploring new perspectives and approaches to policies.’  

 

the available city revives ideas for collective spaces at the chicago architecture biennial
cover the grid by outpost office (columbus, OH), organized in coordination with westside association for community action (waca), open architecture chicago, and freedom house for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial

image courtesy of dennis fisher

 

‘the biennial represents chicago at its collaborative best exploring ideas that resonate both locally and worldwide. the 2021 exhibition brings neighborhood leaders, our arts and cultural organization partners, and architecture and design professionals together in a dialogue which promises to enrich lives everywhere. we are grateful for the generous support of the corporations foundations and individuals who make it possible to present an array of programs, always free of charge, to visitors to our city and to chicagoans of all ages,’ said jack guthman, chairman of the chicago architecture biennial.

the available city revives ideas for collective spaces at the chicago architecture biennial
englewood’s commons by atelier bow-wow (tokyo, japan) – momoyo kaijima and yoshiharu tsukamoto, organized in partnership with the overton incubator and creative grounds for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial

the available city revives ideas for collective spaces at the chicago architecture biennial
block party by studio barnes (miami, FL), in collaboration with shawhin roudbari (boulder, CO) and mas context (chicago, il), organized in coordination with westside association for community action (WACA), open architecture chicago, and freedom house for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial

 

 

the available city revives ideas for collective spaces at the chicago architecture biennial
the garden table by studio ossidiana – alessandra covini (rotterdam, the netherlands) and giovanni bellotti (venice, italy), organized in coordination el paseo community garden and neighborspace for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial.

 

 

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grids + griots by sekou cooke studio (charlotte, NC) - sekou cooke, organized in coordination and in partnership with YMEN for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial
grids + griots by sekou cooke studio (charlotte, NC) - sekou cooke, organized in coordination and in partnership with YMEN for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial
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river frames by PORT- andrew moddrell and christopher marcinkoski (chicago, IL), organized in partnership with lendlease for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial
river frames by PORT- andrew moddrell and christopher marcinkoski (chicago, IL), organized in partnership with lendlease for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial
soil lab by james albert martin, eibhlín ní chathasaigh, and anne dorthe vester, and maria bruun (copenhagen, denmark & dublin, ireland), a 2021 commission supported by the danish arts foundation for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial, image by will quam
soil lab by james albert martin, eibhlín ní chathasaigh, and anne dorthe vester, and maria bruun (copenhagen, denmark & dublin, ireland), a 2021 commission supported by the danish arts foundation for the 2021 chicago architecture biennial, image by will quam
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image by dennis fisher
image by dennis fisher
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project info:

 

event: chicago architecture biennial
exhibition title: the available city
artistic director: david brown
dates: september 17, 2021 – december 18, 2021
venue: outdoors sites extending into over 8 neighborhoods around the city