Chicago, IL
Historic Pilsen Building Reimagined as a Flexible Art Gallery
Client: City of Chicago
Our Role: Master Planning, Architectural Design
A historic building in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood was selected for transformation into a contemporary art gallery. With the goal of creating a flexible exhibition environment capable of supporting a variety of art installations and events while respecting and preserving the building’s historic architectural character, the design needed to balance modern gallery functionality with the existing structure’s constraints.
GFT provided planning and design services for the gallery. The project included the design of a comprehensive interior and exterior renovation that created open, flexible gallery spaces to support a variety of exhibitions and art-related functions. The vision for the contemporary gallery environment complemented the building’s historic architectural character while providing a clean backdrop for displaying artwork.
Key Features
- Study of a 6,000-square-foot gallery space.
- Interior and exterior design approach explored a new storefront gallery.
- Open gallery layout considered to support flexible exhibition configurations.
- Contemporary design concept highlighted historic architectural details.
Outcomes
- Flexible gallery spaces planned to accommodate exhibitions and art-related functions.
- Design concept integrated contemporary gallery design within an existing historic structure.
- Approach preserved and celebrated historic architectural character.
- Delivered conceptual, adaptable interior layouts supporting evolving art displays and events.
Featured Projects
27th Avenue MRF Upgrades Advance Phoenix’s Zero Waste Vision
Adler Planetarium Cosmology Gallery Exhibit Design
Dunkirk Park Tennis Complex Design and Site Engineering
New Delaware State Police Troop 6 Headquarters
Miami Beach Hostile Vehicle Attack Vulnerability Assessment
Inclusive and Sustainable Public Housing Transformation at Todt Hill Houses
New Fayette County Correctional Facility
Restoration of Hot Sox Field at Wilson Park
Springfield Sangamon County Transportation Center
DRJTBC Southern Operations and Maintenance Facilities Improvements
City of Surprise Public Works Operations Facility
New York State Appellate Division Courthouse
Historic Pilsen Building Reimagined as a Flexible Art Gallery
County of San Mateo Vertical Transportation Services
Featured News & INSIGHTS
Programming Correctional Facilities: What Agencies Need to Know Before Design Begins
How Occupational Therapy Shapes Human-Centered Design in Architecture
UPCOMING 12/17: From Data to Decisions: Making Airport Data Work Beyond the Project
Mission Ready by Design: Adaptability, Deconstruction & Reuse
In the News: Francisco Lasta Featured on Aging Together Podcast
In The News: Safeguarding Future Cities with Climate Resiliency Insights
Ray Everett, AIA
Cathy Otis, AIA, NCARB
