Canopy / architecture + design

What a joy to see the McCoy Gaines Senior Apartments completed this fall in Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood! High fives to the whole team! Canopy / architecture + design The Michaels Organization Chicago Housing Authority Skender Blackwood Group LLC Tandem Ventures LLC

Our firm is extremely grateful for the continued recognition our Enlace Project has received from the get go. We are graced with another accolade as finalists for the prestigious AIA Chicago Divine Detail Award for 2024. This project is symbolic for the firm as well as the organization Enlace Chicago in that our firm’s Principal Jaime Torres Carmona grew up in the community it serves in the Little Village. Jaime and his team conceived of a project that metaphorically intertwines or “enlaces” community and the organization as one through the use of woven chicago brick and glass block. The building facade is a tapestry of brick and block, and each material was selected with intention. Some of the first settlers of the Little Village were from Czechoslovakia, therefore as an homage to that heritage we sourced the glass block from the Czech Republic. Brick masonry was sourced regionally and is reflective of the rich brick tones of Little Village two-flat structures. A structural steel skeleton and concrete stairs are a nod to the International Style, which has origins in Chicago. ?We transcended these various elements into a contemporary form to create a timeless symbol for the organization and community. We are honored to have this project recognized by AIA Chicago and hope you join us at Designight 2024 on Thursday, September 5, 2024 as we celebrate this and other firm’s work! Thank you to our amazing project team: Enlace Chicago - Owner Design Team Canopy / architecture + design - Architect Blackwood Group LLC - Builder CE Anderson & Associates, PC - Structural Engineer dbHMS - MEP Engineer McKay Landscape Architects - Landscape Finance and Procurement Chicago Department of Planning and Development - NOF Grant Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity - DCEO Grant Robert R. McCormick Foundation IFF (CDFI)

We are thrilled to share that our firm Canopy / architecture + design is recipient of The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design, Honorable Mention, at this year’s LISC Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards for our Enlace Chicago project. The Enlace building is located just a few blocks from the historic Apollo Theater where the 30th CNDA ceremony was held in Little Village, the neighborhood where Jaime Torres Carmona, our Founding Principal, grew up. It was a full circle to be awarded for a project we designed in this community. Enlace is doing incredible work to support communities in Little Village; and we were honored to collaborate on their new flagship facility with Blackwood Group LLC. . Thanks again to LISC Chicago for this honor, and congratulations to all the other awardees. We are excited to continue the work to build a stronger Chicago together. #CNDA30 #communitydesign #affordablehousing #chicagodevelopment

Our very own Principal Jaime Torres Carmona returning from a keynote at the Oregon Design Conference— good stuff!

What a day to break social bread with our team last night. As one of our firm’s traditions, yesterday we came together in our studio to celebrate the elevation of staff to #newpositions and #leadership within the firm. Everyday we pinch ourselves in awe, not only are we working on #dreamprojects everyday with phenomenal clients, we have shaped an extraordinary team filled with great #expertise, #passion, and #empathy— there is not a problem or initiative we can’t tackle together! In the coming weeks we’ll post stories on how these particular staff members have increased their capacity and growth over time and why they mean so much to us. In the meantime, please help us celebrate today. Congratulations to all. Salud! ?? #promotions #socialimpact #architecture Andreea Micu - Principal IRMA AYALA - Senior Associate Mark Kaminski - Senior Project Architect Jackie Davis, AIA, WELL AP - Senior Project Architect Sabina Choragwicki - Project Associate Ismael Vela - Project Designer

We are thrilled to be a part of this catalytic project in the Humboldt Park / Logan Square community. Hats off to Leopardo for being a great partner in construction!

In honor of Women’s History Month, below is a message from one of our of firm’s key leaders, Andreea Micu AIA, CDT. Thank you to all the fearless women in our industry and beyond! “Today we celebrate the women within our firm, our project partners, and across the industry. It is a privilege to share in the achievements, friendships, and mentorship every day. Today and every day, lets celebrate our accomplishments and continue blazing trails together. Happy Women’s History Month and Day, big thank you to all the brilliant, strong, compassionate, and resilient change-makers on the planet!” -Andreea Micu, AIA, CDT (Canopy)

Thank you Illinois Housing Council for organizing another unbelievable housing conference, what a joy!