The inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial takes its title, “The State of the Art of Architecture,” from a 1977 conference organized by Chicago architect Stanley Tigerman, which invited leading American designers to Chicago to discuss the current state of the field. The 2015 Chicago Architecture Biennial expands the spirit and scope of this event.

It invites 95 both emerging and established practices (like SelgasCano or Sou Fujimoto) from across the world to Chicago to demonstrate how advances in architectural design are tackling the most pressing issues of today.

The biennial is accompanied by a competition for a kiosk to be realized on the lake promenade, conceived as an opportunity for urban experimentation. The winning entry, designed by Yasmin Vobis, Aaron Forrest, Brett Schneider and titled “Chicago Horizon,” Ultramoderne’s kiosk is a quest to build the largest flat wood roof possible within a limited budget. 

Using Cross-Laminated Timber, a new carbon-negative engineered lumber product, in the largest dimensions commercially available, the kiosk aims to provide an excess of public space for the Architecture Biennial and Chicago beachgoers.