LBBA Architects

LBBA is proud to be announced as a Community and Civic project FINALIST in AIA Chicago's Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards, presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center!⁠ ⁠ Conceived of as a campus, the BUILD The Future project was completed in two phases. Phase I included the rehabilitation of BUILD’s existing 10,000-sq-ft building, and the construction of a new 41,000-sq-ft facility with an array of enrichment programs, trauma-informed therapy, and additional spaces that promote healthy futures for youth. In addition to offices, conference rooms, lounges, and a kitchen for the staff, phase II included 7,780 sqft of reservable professional office and workspace for community partners on the west half of the new building’s third floor. ⁠ Support the project and VOTE here: https://lnkd.in/e-sZ7QVT Winning projects will be announced at Designight 2024 on Thursday, September 5.

Directly across from what once was Austin's iconic Pink House, Territory students (including our TIDE lab interns) showcased their summer projects at the vibrant 'Creating Space' block party. The site came alive as residents enjoyed custom-designed furniture crafted by our talented interns. These innovative pieces aren't just for show – they'll soon become a permanent fixture, transforming the site into a welcoming gathering space for all. Kudos to all of the young designers, Territory NFP for fostering creativity and community connection! 

Congratulations to the TIDE Labs interns on completing their final presentation! After last week's design critique, the interns revised the final design for a welcoming resting space near the Central & Ohio bus stop that pays homage to Austin's iconic pink house. Along with a new design, the interns presented the furniture that will occupy the structure. This week will be busy as our interns put the finishing touches on the structure. They're preparing for Territory's Creating Space event, which will introduce a new neighborhood gathering spot on the Central Avenue Corridor in the heart of historic Austin. This year marks our first collaboration with multiple organizations for the Labs program. We'd like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Territory NFP, MUSE Community Design, La Casa Norte, and The Walsh Group - Walsh Construction & Archer Western for their invaluable support. A special thanks also goes out to the many subject experts who generously shared their knowledge during our Lunch and Learn sessions, Xochi our program liaison, and AJ our Labs coordinator (ft. a breaking pose). Want to see the final structure in person and explore other Territory interns' projects? Click the link to RSVP for the upcoming block party: https://lnkd.in/gkTqkzpm

As the TIDE lab interns approach their final presentation, we'd like to share an update on last week's activities. Our Lunch and Learn session featured two inspiring guest speakers Norman Teague and Symone Holmes. Norman, a renowned Chicago-based designer and educator, shared insights into his past projects and the sources of inspiration for his designs. Symone, from Chicago Women in Trades, provided an exciting introduction to the organization and highlighted the numerous opportunities it offers for young women in the trades. Following the presentations, our interns received valuable feedback on their pink-house-inspired shelter design from both our team and our guests which included interns from Chicago Housing Authority and McShane Construction Company. The remainder of the week was dedicated to refining the design and bringing it to life. The interns spent time at Territory NFP's woodshop, where they began constructing the actual structure. We're excited about the progress being made and look forward to sharing more updates as the project continues to evolve!

#CNDA30 Second Place for The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design: BUILD Chicago This new building seamlessly connects to BUILD’s existing structure, serving as a hub for youth strategically located near schools and community centers. By engaging with the surrounding community and their client BUILD Chicago, LBBA Architects designed a vibrant new campus that truly reflected what the neighborhood wanted for a new community center.

We're seeking a talented Senior Project Architect/Designer and a Project Architect/Designer with excellent design, communication, and technical skills to join our team.   The candidate should have experience managing larger, multi-unit housing projects and knowledge of the Chicago Zoning Code and Planned Development process. The position requires familiarity and knowledge of all phases of the design process including land planning / urban design, zoning and code studies, schematic design, design development, permitting, construction documents, and construction observation. A working knowledge of sustainability and accessibility codes is required for the senior position and a plus for the project architect/designer position.   LBBA believes in the value of collaborative work, so the ideal candidate should be self-motivated and able to work in a team environment.   Interested candidates should submit a resume and portfolio to [email protected] Please, no phone calls or drop-ins. And be sure to let us know where you heard about this job posting when you apply.

Meet BUILD Chicago! This amazing Chicago organization is inspiring young people through hope, resources and exposure to positive life pathways.  On February 25, 2023, BUILD opened a new, fully-renovated campus; a well-deserved new home for urban youth to thrive.  LBBA Architects was recognized by LISC Chicago for 'excellence in architecture' as part of the 2024 CNDA Awards. https://lnkd.in/gU5biUuC #PurposeDriven #WhyVideo

This week's Lunch and Learn was a thought-provoking session that addressed the pressing issue of unhoused people and quality affordable housing. We were honored to host Cristina Gallo and Marty Sandberg, founders of Via Chicago Architects Diseñadores, along with Doug Schenkelberg, Executive Director of Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH). The event kicked off with a presentation by our talented TIDE lab interns, who shared their progress on shelter design concepts inspired by the Austin Pink House. Territory NFP has secured support from the alderman to retain the adjacent lot, with plans to transform it into a remembrance site for the house and a safe community gathering space. Cristina and Marty from Via Chicago discussed their firm's impactful work, including their tiny home projects. Doug followed with an overview of CCH's mission as the only non-profit in Illinois dedicated to advocating for public policies aimed at curbing and ultimately ending homelessness. We ended the session with a breakout activity led by our interns. Participants were challenged to conceptualize design solutions for a society focused on addressing homelessness. The resulting ideas were both creative and practical, ranging from playful, rehabilitated spaces for youth to educational billboard signage targeting policymakers, and even public benches with built-in library storage.

Wednesday Lunch and Learns are an integral part of the Labs program. These sessions provide a unique opportunity for our interns and staff to learn about diverse career paths and the impactful work of the organizations we collaborate with. Last week, we hosted two special guests: Nadia Underhill from Thresholds Josh Wilmoth from Full Circle Communities, Inc(FCC). Thresholds provides housing and services for people experiencing substance abuse and mental illnesses, while FCC develops comprehensive affordable housing and services for communities that have been overlooked. Community engagement is an important approach both organizations take in the initial steps of a housing project. These engagement processes allow residents to be a part of the design of their future living space, making it feel more like home. Partaking in their own community engagement, the TIDElab interns interviewed residents at La Casa Norte who have been unhoused and then visited a supportive housing SRO, The Buffett Place. The data collected from these interviews along with the insights from the site visit will help inform their human-centered final design. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Thresholds and Full Circle Communities for their outstanding contributions and for sharing their expertise with us.

We're excited to announce the completion of our latest affordable senior housing development in Uptown, Chicago—Stephen's Commons. One of the primary design elements for this 73-unit development completed in late spring was a circulation walking loop that connects various resident community spaces and a colorful calorie staircase that residents can utilize for exercise. A lush rooftop deck and a ground-level garden path provide residents with multiple opportunities to enjoy nature and socialize while they get their steps in! Integrating the building with its surroundings was also a key focus. Street-facing common areas, exterior seating, and pedestrian-friendly streetscaping seamlessly connect the building to the vibrant neighborhood. Client: Brinshore Development, LLC & Lake View Towers Resident Board Photos: Wayne Cable Contractor: Linn-Mathes Inc. Landscape: McKay Landscape Architects MEP: Element Energy Consulting Civil: EVA Design and Engineering llc Structural: C.E Anderson & Associates Precast: Wells