PAST PROJECTS

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2015

In 2015 students collaborated with CannonDesign to focuse on the repurposing of 4 CPS schools that were a part of over 50 closures. The students visited the schools, met with students, teachers, and principals, to unravel the complex conditions related to each closure and identify new ways of designing the 21st century neighborhood school. The team was led by an official from the City of Chicago's Planning Department.

The 2014 project is focused on the physical conditions surrounding Midway Airport, which is located on the city’s southwest side, eight miles from the Loop. The goal of the project is to explore physical and nonphysical solutions to improve and integrate the surrounding communities with MDW and to create a sense of arrival to Chicago. Studies also question the role of zoning, the creation of affordable housing and employment opportunities to attract and retain for residents to the area.

2014

2013

In 2013, ChicagoLAB developed Chinatown's Masterplan with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency of Planning, the City of Chicago, and the Chinese American Service League. Students worked closely with the leaders of SOM to test, explore and imagine the future of the area and implications of new development.

This year students also worked in collaboration with CannonDesign and GZA Environmental to develop a prototype for "the neighborhood of the future”, designing a closed looped system that was focused on energy, waste, water, and quality of life. The project was presented to the Mayor's Chief Sustainability Officer to plant the seeds of a phased approach to more sustainable systems.