Pete will be giving a tour of three LBBA projects during the Architecture for Change Summit taking place September 22-24 at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The tour takes place Friday, September 24 from 2-5pm; you can register here.

Taking Back the Neighborhood
Peter Landon, Landon Bone Baker Architects

Three of Landon Bone Baker’s community-based renovation and infill affordable housing developments will be visited. These projects have supported communities’ organizing and legal efforts to maintain affordable housing under pressures of gentrification: Archer Courts, Chinatown, the renovation of two midrise CHA buildings slated for demolition; and Harold Washington Unity Coop and Rosa Parks, both new construction infill multifamily affordable housing developments of multiple buildings on scattered sites in Chicago’s West Humboldt neighborhood.

We’ve been busy this summer at LBBA hosting 5 high school students and 3 designer interns.

The students have been working on a project called Shadelab.

Stay tuned for more information on the project!

City Is A Community Garden, an exhibition that looks at urban gardens, vertical farming in the city, and urban chicken keepers through photographs, architectural drawings, and installations. In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be a series of free community garden tours organized by NeighborSpace in Chicago neighborhoods at 10 am on June 26, July 31, and August 28. To make reservations for the garden tours please visit http://communitygardentours.eventbrite.com.

May 28—September 19, 2010
Chicago Tourism Center Gallery
72 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60602

If you have any doubt about the design talent of Chicago high school students, you need to check out the Newhouse Architecture Competition Exhibit. Catherine had the honor of being a judge in the competition again this year, and the quality of the entries was stunning. Winners in the competition receive not only accolades and trophies, but have the chance to work in architectural internship positions throughout the city or attend a week-long apprenticeship to Taliesin. (Stay tuned to hear about what our Newhouse interns will be doing this summer.) The exhibit also has a new home this—at the Robert Morris University gallery, 401 S State St.

The exhibit runs through June 11th.

Rosa Parks, a 94 unit development recently completed with Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, sponsored a very nice event celebrating the completion of the 8 building project. The event was held at the parking area between 2 of the buildings, one being a 27 unit 4-story building that is in process for a LEED Silver certification. Governor Pat Quinn was very enthusiastic (between his cheerleading for the newly crowned Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks) about the green and sustainable aspects of the development. Alderman Walter Burnett gave some thoughtful comments on how community based efforts such as Rosa Parks are so important and positive for the City, its residents and in particular the West Humboldt Park community. Finally, the well attended event broke up into conversation and tours of the buildings and their inner workings. It was a nice event.

On the morning of June 12^th, Jeff Bone and Jack Schroeder of LBBA led a community design charrette sponsored by the Claretian Associates focusing on a 5 block stretch of 92^nd Street in South Chicago. The morning began with a brief overview presentation of the local context, neighborhood connections, and a few conceptual visual ideas for the street. Building on the strength of the existing neighborhood, community residents and business owners were asked what they would like to see happen on 92^nd Street. The group walked the site and then came back for an energized brainstorming session where many great ideas flowed ranging from possible uses for existing ground floor storefronts to sidewalk sculptures made by local artists. The following three common themes emerged as priorities from the small group discussions: celebrate the multi-ethnic history of the areas; create a green and sustainable neighborhood; create a variety of affordable housing options. The day wrapped up with a big lunch provided by Loncar’s, a local bar/restaurant.

A bunch of us went over to West Humboldt Park to help the archi-treasures and Bickerdike team work on a huge mosaic tile project that will be mounted on our recently completed Rosa Parks Apartments complex. It was a beautiful day and we had a great turn out—some folks cranked away at cutting and placing tile, others began laying out the rest of the pieces on the backer board, and others danced in the courtyard. As you can see in the photos we are getting really close to complete on the huge bus image and Rosa Parks quote and it looks great. It was a bonus to be able to work in the community space and courtyard at another one of our projects Harold Washington Unity Co-op and great to see the space in action and the garden is really filling out.

There is a still a lot of work to do though! Reach out to archi-treasures if you’d like to come out and help.

Pete was recently included in i4design Magazine‘s 4th annual Suite 16. The Suite 16 includes “the Midwest’s most innovative design pros who are pushing old boundaries, exploring new concepts and making a difference in design with the work that they do.”

Following is his profile where he was named “The Ethicist,” see the complete feature for all sixteen. Congratulations Pete!

WHY WE LOVE HIM:
Back in 1987, when funds flowed free and people sunk veritable fortunes into their villas, Chicago architect Peter Landon opened his own office. But unlike many of his peers, who were also starting practices at the time to focus on high-end housing, his intention was to do community based housing. And he did, in areas such as Roseland, Lawndale, West Humboldt Park, Chinatown, Uptown, Pilsen and more. Today, he has built a practice that he estimates “is roughly 1/3 affordable, 1/3 public and 1/3 market rate.” And he has done so with such sensitivity, commitment, passion and distinction that he and his firm are considered a city treasure his chosen milieu. Doing this type of housing requires a steadfast mindset and the ability to build close connections with community residents, activists and organizations; Landon is particularly drawn to this aspect of his job. “I never went for the glitz, probably because I thrive on diversity,” he muses. For that reason, he is also pleased that “we’ve gotten to work in neighborhoods all over the city.” His progressive approach and sheer design talent has earned him (and his firm, since Landon approaches everything as “we,” not “I”) many awards and honors, including the commission to do the impending National Public Housing Museum on Taylor Street, won in a hotly contested competition.

WHAT HE HAS DONE:
Landon attributes his passion for his chosen arena to an urban planning class he took in architecture school. “I connected with it, and always wanted to continue in to do that kind of work. It just took me a while to figure out how,” he says. After graduating, he worked for Weese Langley Weese, an award-winning firm known for its emphasis on non-profit and education projects, until he left to start his own practice. His work, and his firm’s, has won awards and been published widely, and through it all Landon has also put time and effort back into his own community of peers by teaching, lecturing, participating in City of Chicago task forces and local non-profits. Currently, he is a founding board member of archi-treasures, a collective of artists, architects, educators and community organizers who are in service to Chicago neighborhoods.

Melody Watson, a forty-two year old resident at Grove Parc, and a mother of two college students, is very enthusiastic about the first two buildings of Woodlawn project. Living in a neighborhood with gang and violence issues, the new buildings will bring nothing but positive changes.

Ms. Watson has been living very comfortably in her apartment and she is not bothered by anyone. She has only good things to say about the management, “I like how if I need something, they come right away.” Even though her both of her children are in college at Fisk University, she is pleased that they offer programs like basketball, volleyball and arts, and crafts classes because it gives the younger children and older residents things to do.

BG: What are some of your concerns in Grove Parc?

MW: The gangs, and it all starts off with the parents.

[She is really bothered that kids hang out until late hours of the night and the young parents don't do anything about it.]

MW: Having a curfew and sticking with it, will solve the problem.

[Ms. Watson also brings up that some tenants are very young and this may be part of the problem.] They’re still babies. Back in my time you had to be at least twenty-five. Eighteen year old tenants shouldn’t be allowed.

BG: What are your expectations of the new buildings?

[Ms. Watson's face lights up just talking about the new buildings.]

MW: Better living. Better environment. Positive changes.

[She is more than ready to see them be build and move in. The new positive change is "something that the neighborhood needs."]

Interview conducted by Brenda Gamboa.

As a part of this months 10^th Ward 3^rd annual Green Summit, on Saturday, May 15^th, LBBA and energy consultant Jim Cavallo lead a Green Retrofit charrette sponsored by the Claretian Associates. The Green Summit’s mission statement is to offer area residents a coherent presentation of currently available green, eco-friendly and healthy initiatives designed to enhance the communities’ quality of life and promote economic development talking into consideration the communities cultural and economic diversity.

The charrette focused on how local homeowners of South Chicago’s Bush neighborhood can benefit from green retrofits and affordable-common sense ways that residents can reduce energy while greening their homes. Small breakout group discussions were lead by Jeff Bone, Pete Landon, and Jim Cavallo covering topics on Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Indoor Air quality, and Recycling Strategies. In addition, ideas for local grant possibilities and local green jobs potential were touched on. The group was lively and engaged and brought to light many good ideas and local concerns. The morning wrapped up with a game of “Energy Jeopardy!” The winner took home a gift certificate for a free home energy audit.