Meditating on Modernist Architecture with Mies
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is the master of modernist architecture. This is, of course, an architectural style that many could easily do without. Mies’ black box steel-frame buildings have no intricate details or Greek columns; their interiors have no marble staircases or glimmering mosaics. So what’s the big deal, right? Well, Mies essentially ushered […]
Happy Earth Day: Building Green with the Rebuilding Exchange
With Earth Day today, what better to write about than the new recipient of our Community Giving Program? For the next six months we will contribute half of tour guide gratuities to the Rebuilding Exchange. This institution, dedicated to reuse and green architecture, is one of our favorites in Chicago Chicago Detours Giving Program Starting in […]
Art Deco Style Architecture of Chicago
This last week I’ve been prepping for one of the custom tours that we are doing for a big convention group. I did a lot of wandering the city, weaving in and out of buildings kind of like how we did on our Nonsensical Walk a few days ago. On my walk, I began to […]
April “After Hours” at the Robie House
April is right around the corner and that means April After Hours at the Robie House. You can go the Robie House in Hyde Park any Friday in April to schmooze among other architecture lovers with a beer or wine in hand. Tunes from an acoustic jazz combo will add to the ambiance. You can […]
Exclusive Entrance to the Union League Club on March 18
Last June, I presented at the Union League Club about the architectural history of the building, including its cultural context in downtown Chicago business and life and the relevance of historic architecture over time. We had a great time, and they’ve invited me back, and you are invited as well! In addition to experiencing the discussion […]
Architectural Photos of Chicago’s Mag Mile
A few weeks ago I signed up for an Instagram account for Chicago Detours. I had already had a personal one, which I decided I would keep to private and just use for sharing with friends pictures of things I thought are funny or curious. I didn’t want to bore my friends with my obsession […]
Chicago Architectural Spaces for Kissing Valentines
Looking for a place in Chicago to have a romantic moment during Valentine’s Day? I’m the new Chicago Detours Editorial Intern, and I went on a little winter walk to get some pictures for this “Top 3 List” of some of the best Chicago architectural spaces to sneak away for kissing your Valentine: 1) Ando Gallery in […]
Architecture of Private Club Buildings in Chicago
A while ago I dug into the architecture of private club buildings in Chicago for a class. I had previously been inside of the opulent University Club for a special lunchtime talk. To be honest, I also just loved having an excuse to see the rest of these buildings. So I chose to focus my studies […]
How Can Architecture Solve Urban Problems?
We all try to do what we can to help make the world a better place. Especially at the holidays, one gets bombarded by pleas for support. Don’t worry, this is not one of those moments. Instead we’d like to share with you our new Chicago Detours Giving Initiative. It’s a little something we hope will […]
New Chicago Pedway Map and Guide
With the help of some great designers, I decided to create a new Chicago Pedway map. Guests on our custom private tours often ask ‘Where do we get a map?’ I had come to know the Pedway system “inside and out” while designing our tours, which venture into building interiors and uses the Pedway to […]
