in 2013, wee discovered that Chicago possessed a wealth of untapped resources, particularly in the realm of architecture and design. Recognizing this potential, we approached the Cultural Commissioner with an ambitious proposal: to create a grand event that would blend the characteristics of the renowned Venice Architectural Biennale and the prestigious Salone del Mobile in Milan. Remarkably, such an event had never taken place in America before.

The Cultural Commissioner was intrigued by our idea and arranged a meeting with the recently elected mayor at the time, Rahm Emanuel. To our delight, the mayor wholeheartedly embraced the concept and granted us his approval. However, due to logistical considerations, the difficult decision was made to remove the design component from the event. Thus, in 2015, the inaugural Chicago Biannual was launched.

The response to the event was nothing short of phenomenal. A staggering number of over 400,000 visitors flocked to the Biannual, eager to experience the captivating blend of architecture and culture it had to offer. The overwhelming success of the first edition laid the foundation for future installments, and the Chicago Biannual has since become one of the most celebrated and triumphant cultural events in the city. Currently in its fourth edition, the Biannual continues to captivate audiences and showcase Chicago’s thriving architecture and design scene.

Opening Ceremony