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UrbanWorksTeam

Apr 30
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UrbanWorks Designs Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral Icon for the CAF

By Architecture Foundation, Exhibits

In celebration of the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, UrbanWorks partnered with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) and Thirst to develop an icon representative of the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral. UrbanWorks joined other local architecture firms to design graphic icons for 50 of the most significant Chicago buildings, parks and events together. The Chicago Architecture “Periodic Table” Icon Poster is available for purchase at the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Read More

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Jun 01
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UrbanWorks Concept Featured in AIA Chicago Tiny Homes Exhibition

By Architecture Foundation, Exhibits, Projects

The UrbanWorks concept ORIGAMICS was featured in the AIA Chicago Small Projects exhibition at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Illinois. UrbanWorks examined Origamics as a new paradigm, exploring the mathematical theory behind folding and the resulting algorithms those folds create. Structural folding planes respond to the physical and environmental needs of the residents creating a spatially engaging atmosphere that offers dynamism. The UrbanWorks design competition team members were Jose Esquinca, Tim Wang, Tej Varpe, Ameera Ashraf O’ Neil, Maria Pellot, and Patricia & Robert Natke. The international design competition launched in November 2015 solicited speculative design proposals that would provide housing for Chicago’s youth experiencing homelessness. It was organized by AIA Chicago, the AIA Chicago Foundation, Landon Bone Baker, Windy City Times, Pride Action Tank and funded by the Alphawood Foundation.

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May 25
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UrbanWorks is a CNT Sustain-A-City Patron

By Community, Staff Happenings

UrbanWorks is a proud Patron of Sustain-A-City, the Center for Neighborhood Technology’s celebration for supporters from across the urban sustainability spectrum who promote livable and sustainable urban communities for all. The event introduces the finalists of the Urban Sustainability Apps Competition which pairs community members with coders to create scalable, app-based solutions for neighborhood issues. Finalist judges include Brenna Berman, CIO of the City of Chicago, Shelley Stern Grach, Director of Civic Engagement at Microsoft, Janice Jackson, Chief Education Officer of the Chicago Public Schools, and the Honorable Toni Preckwinkle, President of The Cook County Board. The celebration will be held June 16, 2016 at Studio Xfinity 901 W. Weed Street.

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Apr 30
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UrbanWorks Participates in Arquitectos 30X30 Perspectives Exhibition

By Exhibits, Staff Happenings

UrbanWorks staff members Patricia Saldaña Natke, Maria Pellot, Erick Roldan and Jose Esquinca were featured in the Arquitectos 30X30 Perspectives exhibition at Open Center for the Arts located at  2214 South Sacramento Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The exhibition showcased UrbanWorks projects spanning from educational facilities to multi-family housing. Arquitectos 30X30 Perspectives was the first annual architecture exhibition by Arquitectos and celebrated the organization’s 30th anniversary. Arquitectos, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c (3) organization, whose mission is to provide development, mentorship, community assistance and further enrich the architectural profession through different cultural views and practices.

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Apr 25
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Patricia Saldaña Natke is a Visiting Juror for Clemson University’s School of Architecture

By Panels, Staff Happenings

Patricia Saldaña Natke was a Visiting Juror for Clemson University’s School of Architecture 4th Year Synthesis Studios in Clemson, South Carolina on April 20, 2016. Student proposals explored the architecture of the institution of the Public Library: A 15,000 square foot branch library for Six Mile, South Carolina. Other jurors included Catherine Smith of Catherine Smith Architect, Jo Gilmour-Pike of Joeb Moore Architects, David Moore of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, and Paul Mankins of Substance Architecture. The students and jurors were joined by Professor Timothy Brown, Director of Undergraduate Programs and Professor Katherine Lee Schwennsen, Director of the School of Architecture.

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May 10
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Patricia Saldaña Natke, Maria Pellot and Ameera Ashraf-O’Neil Participated in On the Table 2016

By Lectures/Presentations, Panels, Staff Happenings

Patricia Saldaña Natke, Maria Pellot and Ameera Ashraf-O’Neil joined Chicago-area residents in On the Table discussions in May 2016. Patricia participated in the conversation, “The State of Civic Engagement in Chicago” led by New Civics Chicago; Maria Pellot participated in “Envisioning Equitable Communities” led by Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.; and Ameera participated in “Creative Solutions to House and Feed all Chicagoans” led by the Society of Architectural Historians. On the Table is sponsored by Chicago Community Trust and is an annual forum designed to elevate civic conversation, foster new relationships and create a unifying experience across the Chicago-area. Thousands of residents participated in small-group conversations intended to inspire new ways to work together to make communities stronger, safer and more dynamic.

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Mar 29
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Patricia Saldaña Natke of Urbanworks Speaks at TEDxUChicago

By Lectures/Presentations, Staff Happenings

Patricia Saldaña Natke presents “Architecture & Design: Renewing the Social Agenda” at TEDx at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center on April 30, 2016. This year’s conference theme, On the Margins, focuses on the grey area between established knowledge and new theory. Where is innovation right now? How is existing knowledge being pushed to its limits? Patricia will present UrbanWorks’ bold Pilsen Masterplan including groundbreaking transformative LaCasa student housing. Created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading,” the TEDx program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue. Patricia joins ten other renowned speakers from a variety of backgrounds to present at this all-day conference. Read More

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Mar 14
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Presidential Candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton Visits La Casa

By Projects

Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the UrbanWorks-designed La Casa Student Housing in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood to discuss Immigration Reform today, Monday, March 14, 2016. She was joined by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Dolores Huerta, the famous founder of the farm workers movement. La Casa Student Housing is an innovative model in student housing that surrounds students with many of the benefits and resources of on-campus living and the added advantage of an on-site Resource Center. Read More

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Feb 26
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Trianon Lofts Featured in DNA Info Chicago

By Publications

UrbanWorks is the architect of the 24 unit Trianon Lofts for The Preservation of Affordable Housing. With an anticipating occupancy of late spring of 2017, the project includes 7,000 feet of retail on the ground floor and an articulated rainscreen-clad façade inspired by the traditional masonry buildings typical of the area. The result is a frankly efficient building whose mass and materials harmonize with its surroundings while its details offer a brightly contemporary look for its occupants. Read more

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Jan 20
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UrbanWorks Receives Two AIA Chicago Design Excellence Awards as Associate Architects

By Awards

UrbanWorks served as Associate Architects on the Ross Barney Architects team for the CTA Cermak-McCormick Place Station which received two 2015 AIA Chicago Design Excellence Awards. The project received the Distinguished Building Award for its overall design solution as well as the Divine Detail Award for its innovative “Traintube” of perforated aluminum shingles and a polycarbonate skylight. The team for this project also included sub consultants TY Lin International, Singh and Associates, and LTK Engineering, as well as contractor FH Paschen. The client was the Chicago Department of Transportation. Read more

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