Chicago Architecture Center

Architecture is a big part of Chicago. The massive fire of 1871 that destroyed most of the city required quick and extensive design and construction of offices and homes. Many innovative techniques in structural engineering allowed high rise buildings to be built and distinctive design elements and styles flourished. Chicago is very advanced architecturally, one of the reasons is the history of the city. In 1871, they had a huge fire that destroyed most of the city, killing 10% of the population. New structures had to be built to be fire proof and had to be developed rapidly. The creative fever has never left the city. The Chicago Architectural Center highlights many of these achievements and shows the historical development of the city.

Chicago Architecture Center http://www.architecture.org/