overton elementary school

the graham foundation is pleased to present the available city, part of the fourth edition of the chicago architecture biennial (cab). this edition marks a new approach to the biennial model, bridging the traditional exhibition format to a deeper engagement with the community to expand access and impact. offering opportunities to discover installations, exhibitions, and programs that explore transformative possibilities for vacant spaces in communities worldwide. the available city is curated by designer, researcher, and educator david brown. as artistic director, brown activates his ongoing, decade-long research project to document and reimagine new futures for vacant lots in american cities, including the more than 10,000 city-owned vacant lots in chicago. with over 80 contributors from more than 18 countries, and more than 100 cultural partners, the available city includes 15 site-specific architectural installations: located on public and private lots located in chicago’s neighborhoods of north lawndale, bronzeville, woodlawn, englewood, pilsen, and the south loop. there are also two exhibition-based explorations located in an unused storefront space in bronzeville and at the graham foundation.

[ above/below ]
[ overton incubator / borderless studio (chicago) + the open workshop (san francisco & toronto) ]

anthony overton elementary school, built in 1963 and designed by perkins and will was one of 50 schools that were closed in 2013 citing budget cuts, under-enrollment, and low performance. washington park development group has since purchased the school, and through collaborations with artists, designers, and small businesses, has transformed the school grounds into an experimental hub, referred to as the overton incubator that is intended to serve the community to support creative entrepreneurship in business, technology and design.

neighborhood: bronzeville
site address: 221 east 49th street. 60615
hours to visit: hours to visit: the parking lot is open for visitors monday to sunday 12pm-5pm; school grounds (outdoor areas) are open to the public everyday 10am-7pm.
project by: borderless studio and the open workshop

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visit the [ chicago architecture biennial ] to explore more about the biennial, what is on view throughout the city, and upcoming programs and events. look for DesignApplause to spell out these events in weekly separate articles.

[ upcoming programming! ] #cab21 #chicagoarchitecturebiennial

photography by gloria araya

this is a developing story…