The Chicago Public Library, West Loop Branch, is awarded the 2019 Frank Lloyd Wright Award

The 2019 AIA ILLINOIS FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AWARD was presented to the Chicago Public Library, West Loop Branch, for achievement in enhancing the natural and built environment of a community through the new design or renovation of an individual building. The award was presented at a reception at the Chicago Public Library West Loop Branch on November 25th, 2019.

Formerly part of the campus of a Chicago-based international television production company, the interiors of the original buildings had been heavily segmented and modified to meet the needs of television production. The expansive wooden ceiling trusses had been concealed, the historic brick walls hidden, hardwood floors tarnished, and partition walls erected throughout to minimize daylight and views through the space. Outside, the exterior lacked a coherent identity, appearing understated on the street: beige stucco and painted brick allowed it to blend into its surroundings.

Working closely with the client and the Chicago Public Library system, beginning in 2017, the design team identified areas of opportunity to unify the two buildings, with a powerful contextual exterior and unique interior spaces to realize the most significant impact for library patrons, while preserving the historic elements of the buildings.

"The new WEST LOOP LIBRARY BRANCH is a proud example of how city officials come together with private partners to build strong neighborhoods and provide a place for all community residents to gather, share and succeed," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the opening in January 2019.

Collaborators on this project from SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP include:

• Brian Lee, FAIA

• Jeannine Colaco

• Bethany Woodward

• Alex Kisiel

• Michelle Mirrielees

• Wil Bruchmann, AIA

• Tom Harris, Tom Harris Photography

All award winners have positively impacted citizens throughout the state of Illinois by helping create communities in which people are drawn to live and work, and to live healthier and happier.

Photo credit: Tom Harris Photography

Linda Nelson Keane is the recipient of the 2019 AIA Illinois Nathan Clifford Ricker Award

LINDA NELSON KEANE, AIA, was nominated by her peers for the 2019 AIA ILLINOIS NATHAN CLIFFORD RICKER AWARD FOR EDUCATORS. The award was presented to Keane at a private event on Wednesday, November 13th, 2019, at the Leroy Neiman Center at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Linda Nelson Keane, AIA, was nominated by her peer and previous Nathan Clifford Ricker awardee, Anne T. Sullivan, to receive the Nathan Clifford Ricker award for her outstanding service as an educator in the architecture field. As a professor of Architecture and Environmental Design at the School of the Art Institute and Design in Chicago, Illinois, Keane has been revolutionary in designing new undergraduate curriculum in the field of Interior Architecture. She was at the forefront of the development of a MArch program at the School of the Art Institute, which is one of the only Graduate architecture curriculum offered in the City of Chicago.

Linda, along with her partner, Mark Keane, have contributed to great strides in the field of architectural education, utilizing the internet, video, and film media to create more accessible resources. They developed a nationally and internationally recognized interface, NEXT.cc DESIGNopedia. This Interface introduces a STEAM By Design web dialogued adventure, promoting stewardship of the environment for the K-12 community – that blurs learning with fun.

Linda is an exemplary leader in the field of architectural and design education, influencing the field of Interior Architecture at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and developing groundbreaking digital design and environmental education for the K-12 community. Her dedication to communicating the essential role that design holds in society illustrates her being more than qualified to receive this award.

All award winners have positively impacted citizens throughout the state of Illinois by helping create communities in which people are drawn to live and work, and to live healthier and happier.

"Although it was cold night it was a wonderful and warm, packed-filled reception to honor SAIC Professor Linda Keane." - AIA IL EVP Stacey Pfingsten 

AIA IL Honor Awards Reception at The Cliff Dwellers Club Chicago

Three architects were honored by their peers at last week's reception. Bryan Hudson, AIA, received the 2019 R. Buckminster Fuller Award for Social Good. Damon Wilson, AIA, received the John Wellborn Root Award for Emerging Professionals. Scott Nachemann, AIA, who was unable to attend due to being deployed to do the very work he was honored for, is the recipient of the Charles W. Nothnagel Award for Public Service. Congratulations to all, and many thanks for your strong advocacy and representation of architecture in Illinois.

Many thanks to Omar Garcia, AIAS, for the great photos!