Architecture Thu Sep 25 2008

A New Generation of Boomers

The Chicago Architecture Foundation has opened an exhibit this week highlighting the similarities between late 1800's Chicago and present day boom-towns in Asia and the Middle East. When Chicago grew by over 1.5 million people in 50 years architecture followed with years of stunning innovation and excitement. Similarly, cities like Abu Dhabi and Shenzhen are exploding their urban boundaries and money for building and infrastructure has, literally, shot for the sky. The exhibit seeks to analyze the growth's aesthetic implications to discover if there is an underlying architectural or urban form that all boom towns share; or, does the emergence of the Chinese megalopolis and gold-plated oil cities of the Middle East represent a new type of urbanism? Featured works range from the ubiquitous Alder & Sullivan buildings to the cutting edge zero-energy towers sprouting up in design studios worldwide. Lynn Becker is the curator, so you know it will be a well-constructed and thought provoking exhibit.

The exhibit runs from September 23 to November 21.

— Carl Giometti / Comments (0)