Open Studio

Interested in architecture and urban design? Check out Open Studio for free workshops, skills sessions, and other events every Wednesday from 5:00-8:00PM. All are welcome!

Open Studio, hosted by the Architectural Studies program, is a weekly space for students in architecture and urban design studio courses, and other interested students, to come together. Students can work freely on projects both curricular and independent, learn skills in weekly skills sessions, and use our shared supplies in the MADD Center within Crerar Library. We also house a wide range of workshops and other events during Open Studio hours, many with invited guests or collaborators from across the University. Some of these events are developed by students, including the leaders of the student-led architecture club, and others are developed by faculty and other colleagues.

For a current listing of upcoming Open Studio events, please join the Open Studio Canvas page here or visit our in-person calendar in the MADD Center. Food is also always served during Open Studio, usually around 6:15, thanks to the generous support of Chicago Studies. If you have any questions about Open Studio, or would like to suggest a workshop or event, please contact fourth-year Nicole Helou at nicolehelou@uchicago.edu. For more information about studio courses, please contact Luke Joyner (lukejoy@uchicago.edu), and for more information about the Architectural Studies minor, please contact Wei-Cheng Lin (wlin@uchicago.edu).

Winter Quarter 2023

Join Chicago Studies and Open Studio for Into the Archives: Researching Historic Chicago, a weekly workshop series offered during the Winter 2023 Quarter. Led by Chicago historians and archivists, this series introduces participants to a range of foundational research skills including accessing and utilizing historic maps, census data, building permits, newspapers, photos, and more to study people and places throughout Chicago's history. Workshops are free and open to the public, and will always include free food! 

Week 1: The Block Takes Shape - Learn how to use Sanborn Fire Insurance maps; historic aerial photographs; and City of Chicago contemporary building footprints datasets (GIS) to understand the shape of Chicago neighborhoods at various points in history.

Into the Archives at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 PM CDT at the MADD Center

Join Chicago Studies and Open Studio for Into the Archives: Researching Historic Chicago, a weekly workshop series offered during the Winter 2023 Quarter. Led by Chicago historians and archivists, this series introduces participants to a range of foundational research skills including accessing and utilizing historic maps, census data, building permits, newspapers, photos, and more to study people and places throughout Chicago's history. Workshops are free and open to the public, and will always include free food! 

Week 2: The Life of Buildings - Learn how to access historic and present-day zoning maps, historic building permits & fire reports, tax records, and assessors reports to better understand Chicago's built environment at various points in history.

Into the Archives at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 PM CDT at the MADD Center

Join Chicago Studies and Open Studio for Into the Archives: Researching Historic Chicago, a weekly workshop series offered during the Winter 2023 Quarter. Led by Chicago historians and archivists, this series introduces participants to a range of foundational research skills including accessing and utilizing historic maps, census data, building permits, newspapers, photos, and more to study people and places throughout Chicago's history. Workshops are free and open to the public, and will always include free food! 

Week 3:  People in your Neighborhood - Explore the resources in UChicago’s Special Collections (including historic mortgage risk/zoning maps) and learn how to use Census data/decennial Census rosters to learn more about the people who lived through Chicago's storied past. 

Into the Archives at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 PM CDT at the MADD Center

Join Chicago Studies and Open Studio for Into the Archives: Researching Historic Chicago, a weekly workshop series offered during the Winter 2023 Quarter. Led by Chicago historians and archivists, this series introduces participants to a range of foundational research skills including accessing and utilizing historic maps, census data, building permits, newspapers, photos, and more to study people and places throughout Chicago's history. Workshops are free and open to

Week 4:  Eyes on the Street - Learn how to utilize archival and historic photo collections.

Into the Archives at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 PM CDT at the MADD Center

Join Chicago Studies and Open Studio for Into the Archives: Researching Historic Chicago, a weekly workshop series offered during the Winter 2023 Quarter. Led by Chicago historians and archivists, this series introduces participants to a range of foundational research skills including accessing and utilizing historic maps, census data, building permits, newspapers, photos, and more to study people and places throughout Chicago's history. Workshops are free and open to the public, and will always include free food! 

Week 5: Stories Once Told - Explore historic newspaper archives. 

Into the Archives at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 PM CDT at the MADD Center

Join Chicago Studies and Open Studio for Into the Archives: Researching Historic Chicago, a weekly workshop series offered during the Winter 2023 Quarter. Led by Chicago historians and archivists, this series introduces participants to a range of foundational research skills including accessing and utilizing historic maps, census data, building permits, newspapers, photos, and more to study people and places throughout Chicago's history. Workshops are free and open to the public, and will always include free food! 

Week 6: Stories Without Voices – Reading the built environment and guided walking tour.

Into the Archives at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 PM CDT at the MADD Center

Join Chicago Studies and Open Studio for Into the Archives: Researching Historic Chicago, a weekly workshop series offered during the Winter 2023 Quarter. Led by Chicago historians and archivists, this series introduces participants to a range of foundational research skills including accessing and utilizing historic maps, census data, building permits, newspapers, photos, and more to study people and places throughout Chicago's history. Workshops are free and open to the public, and will always include free food! 

Week 7: Finding our Voices – Learn how to craft historical narratives with author and Resident Dramaturg of the Court Theatre, Nora Titone. 

Into the Archives at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 PM CDT at the MADD Center

Join Chicago Studies and Open Studio for Into the Archives: Researching Historic Chicago, a weekly workshop series offered during the Winter 2023 Quarter. Led by Chicago historians and archivists, this series introduces participants to a range of foundational research skills including accessing and utilizing historic maps, census data, building permits, newspapers, photos, and more to study people and places throughout Chicago's history. Workshops are free and open to the public, and will always include free food! 

Week 8: Raising our Voices – Reflections on A Century on 55th Street.

Into the Archives at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 PM CDT at the MADD Center