CTBUH Chicago

Please follow our CTBUH Chicago Future Leadership Committee, an incubator for the next generation of CTBUH Leaders. More event information to come!

We recently held our annual Tall Building Trivia event – a truly fun and challenging competition which took place at Fado’s and featured 18 teams representing many of Chicago’s leading architectural, engineering, and consulting firms. Our competitors faced six rounds of questions testing their knowledge of towers, the urban environment, as well as a little pop-culture. In the end, the winning team was SR+A Structural Engineers followed by a tie for 2nd place with ArcelorMittal and Thornton Tomasetti. Lastly, a huge thanks go out to all who participated as well as our sponsors for the evening who included: ArcelorMittal, DeSimone Consulting Engineering, Gensler, McHugh Construction, McHugh Concrete Construction, Inc., RATIO Design, Walter P Moore, Epstein Architecture, Engineering and Construction, ParkFowler Plus, Thornton Tomasetti, Buro Happold, Jahn/, NORR, Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction at Northwestern University.

???Calling all Chicago-based design firms!??? The?CTBUH Chicago Chapter Technical Committee?is excited to showcase the incredible talent and innovation happening in our city. We’re seeking contributions of?research and technical content?from our member firms to: ???Highlight groundbreaking work ???Promote your firm’s expertise ???Foster collaboration within the design community If your firm is working on cutting-edge research, technical advancements, or innovative design solutions, we want to hear from you! Share your insights and let us help amplify your impact. ???Submit your content -?Have a post of your own??Mention CTBUH Chicago so we can share!?Want us to make one for you??Send us a message and we can create it! Let’s celebrate and elevate the work that makes Chicago a global hub for design and innovation. Together, we can inspire the next chapter of excellence in our industry!

??? Test Your Skyscraper Knowledge at the?CTBUH?Chicago Tall Building Trivia Night!???? Think you know everything about tall buildings? Join us on March 11, 2025, at Fado Irish Pub in Chicago?for a fun and competitive Tall Building Trivia Night?hosted by CTBUH?Chicago Chapter! ?? Event Details: ?? Location:?Fado Irish Pub, 100 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL ? Time:?6:00 PM – 8:30 PM ?? Cost:?$125 per team (up to 4 people) ?? Includes:?2 drink tickets per?team member + appetizers ? Network with industry professionals,?test your knowledge, and compete for cash prizes! ?? Register now to secure your spot! ???https://lnkd.in/eD_ZfCrp Tag your trivia teammates and let’s see who’s the ultimate skyscraper expert! ???? #CTBUHChicago #TallBuildings #TriviaNight #Skyscrapers #Architecture #Engineering #Networking Thanks to our Sponsors: ArcelorMittal, DeSimone Consulting Engineering, Gensler, McHugh Construction, McHugh Concrete Construction, Inc., RATIO Design, Walter P Moore, Epstein Architecture, Engineering and Construction, ParkFowler Plus, Thornton Tomasetti, Buro Happold, Jahn/, NORR, Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction at Northwestern University

Mass Timber in Multi-Family Research Project An Economic Study of Supply, Best Use, and Implementation in three North American regions https://lnkd.in/eChR2nge In 2024, CTBUH members SCB, Turner and Le Messurier were part of a research team which investigated the efficiency and economics of Mass Timber in lieu of other structural solutions in multi-family projects.??The 3-part webinars are posted publicly online by Olifant, who generously sponsored the research along with a grant by the US Forest Service.?We thank Architecture 2030 for hosting the webinars.?We are excited to share this research with others in the industry and encourage dialogue around this topic. SCB LeMessurier Turner Construction Company Olifant, LLC Colliers #masstimber #usforestservice #architecture2030

Chicago, Structural Steel, and Tall Buildings! Chicago may be known as the Second City, but it was the first to adopt many structural steel innovations in its tall buildings It all began in 1885 with the construction of the Home Insurance Building, widely recognized as the world’s first skyscraper. Designed by William Le Baron Jenney, it was the first building to use a steel frame for structural support, marking the dawn of modern high-rise construction. Fast forward to 1973, the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) revolutionized skyscraper engineering with its bundled tube structural steel system, designed by Fazlur Khan. This innovative approach utilized multiple interconnected steel tubes to provide unmatched strength and stability while enabling the tower’s soaring height of 1,450 feet. The bundled tube system has since become a cornerstone of tall building design worldwide. More recently, Chicago has continued to lead in the adoption of advanced structural materials. The BMO Tower, completed in 2022, marked a milestone as the first building in the United States to use A913 Grade 80 steel. This high-strength material allowed for more efficient structural solutions, contributing to the tower’s sleek and modern design. Similarly, the use of A913 high-strength steel played a pivotal role in shaping 150 North Riverside’s distinctive architectural form. With its narrow base and dramatic sloping facade, this building’s design required an innovative structural approach to maximize usable space on its constrained riverfront site. The high-strength steel provided the necessary support while achieving a striking visual effect that has become a hallmark of Chicago’s skyline. From pioneering steel-frame construction to embracing cutting-edge materials, Chicago’s contributions to structural steel and tall building innovation are unparalleled. As we look to the future, we remain inspired by the ingenuity and vision that continue to shape our city’s architectural identity. Hats off to the CTBUH Chicago member firms that worked on these great projects! Riverside Investment & Development Company Goettsch Partners Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Magnusson Klemencic Associates Epstein Architecture, Engineering and Construction GEI Consultants, Inc. Environmental Systems Design, LLC ArcelorMittal #CTBUHChicago #StructuralSteel #TallBuildings #ChicagoArchitecture

???Calling all Chicago-based design firms!??? The?CTBUH Chicago Chapter Technical Committee?is excited to showcase the incredible talent and innovation happening in our city. We’re seeking contributions of?research and technical content?from our member firms to: ???Highlight groundbreaking work ???Promote your firm’s expertise ???Foster collaboration within the design community If your firm is working on cutting-edge research, technical advancements, or innovative design solutions, we want to hear from you! Share your insights and let us help amplify your impact. ???Submit your content -?Have a post of your own??Mention CTBUH Chicago so we can share!?Want us to make one for you??Send us a message and we can create it! Let’s celebrate and elevate the work that makes Chicago a global hub for design and innovation. Together, we can inspire the next chapter of excellence in our industry!

Last week, the CTBUH Chicago Chapter held an event celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the opening of Millennium Park. This gathering, sponsored by Paul Borg Construction Paul Borg Construction and held within SOM’s Chicago Headquarters, featured presentations from SOM’s Peter J. Kindel AIA ASLA RIBA on the planning origins of Millenium Park; Mark P. Sexton, FAIA, LEED AP of Krueck Sexton Partners on the design, fabrication and installation of the Crown Fountain as well as the collaboration with artist Jaume Plensa; L Randall Buescher AIA from Epstein Architecture, Engineering and Construction, on the recent restoration of the Cloud Gate Plaza; and Heide Sperry, from the City of Chicago on the ongoing efforts and future enhancements to the Central Area Plan. The evening was capped off with a roundtable discussion with Peter, Mark, Randy, and Heide moderated by the Chicago Tribune’s architectural critic, Edward Keegan, on the park and the power of well-conceived, designed, and executed civic infrastructure. Lastly, thanks go out to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) for their hospitality, Krueck Sexton Partners for sharing their photos from the event, as well as Paul Borg Construction Company, the sponsor of the event.

Come and join CTBUH Chicago this Wednesday, November 20th for the panel discussion. This event is proudly sponsored by Paul Borg Construction Company. Space is limited—secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gidGDhXf

Next week, on November 20th, CTBUH Chicago Chapter will host a presentation and panel discussion celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the opening of Millennium Park. Edward Keegan, architectural columnist at the Chicago Tribune will be joined by an amazing panel, including: Heidi Sperry, Chicago Department of Planning and Development L Randall Buescher AIA, Senior Vice President at Epstein Architecture, Engineering and Construction Mark P. Sexton, FAIA, LEED AP, Co-Founder at Krueck Sexton Partners Peter J. Kindel AIA ASLA RIBA, Cities & Climate Lead at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Come and join us: https://lnkd.in/gv7wFBed