[ 18 > 24 october calendar ] The Chicago Architecture Biennial is free and open to the general public at the Chicago Cultural Center and sites across the city. The event is supported by the City of Chicago and the Graham Foundation, with additional support from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and the Chicago Park District. All funding for the event is privately raised, with significant investments from BP and SC Johnson.

above> the chicago architecture biennial, which just launched last weekend, is the very first of its kind in north america; a startling fact, even more so when one thinks of the city’s (and country’s) invaluable architectural contribution to modern design. so when it did launch, it did so with a bang. pictured: ‘architecture is everywhere’ by sou fujimoto architects (foreground) plays with the idea that any form can become architecture; ‘house no. 11 (corridor house)’ by moss architects (background) is a comment on mega-mansions, corridors and the use of space in residential building. photography: steve hall, copyright hedrich blessing. courtesy chicago architecture biennial

One of the many exhibits in the Chicago Cultural Center is called “Bold: Alternative Scenarios for Chicago” and features 18 projects and ideas for the city of Chicago. Elsewhere in the Chicago Cultural Center is full-scale house that can be built for less than $4000, by the Vietnamese architecture office Vo Trong Nghia Architects; and the Swiss-based office Gramazio Kohler has collaborated with the MIT Self-Assembly Lab to make the first architectural construction built by robots using only rocks and thread.

For a complete list of exhibitions, public programs, supporters, media partners and program partners, visit [ Chicago Architecture Biennial ] which launched 3 October 2015, and will run through 3 January 3 2016. @chicagobiennial @GrahamFound @ChiCulturCenter