The Chicago Architecture Biennale has announced that Los Angeles-based architecture practice Johnston Marklee has been selected as the artistic directors for the 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennale. After a successful year in 2015, the second edition of the event will be held between September 16- December 31, 2017. 

The Chicago Architecture Biennial and the City of Chicago also announced that SC Johnson has renewed its support of the Biennial and will return as the Presenting Sponsor, with a $2.5 million leadership commitment. BP, the Founding Sponsor, has also renewed its support, with a $1 million commitment.

"The Chicago Architecture Biennial's return in 2017 confirms Chicago as an architectural hub. Last year's edition was a resounding success, and I'm pleased to see the great planning and support for the second Biennial, which will be even better. Not only is the Biennial's return a testament to our city's architectural significance, but it speaks to Chicago's place as one of the world's cultural destinations and our place in the world of architecture and design,'' stated Mayor Emanuel in the press release.

Hut House, Kauai, Hawaii, 2014. Image courtesy of Johnston Marklee

“SC Johnson is proud to return to the Chicago Architecture Biennial as the Presenting Sponsor,” said Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson. “Architecture is more than just buildings; these structures can inspire and motivate people to do great things. The Frank Lloyd Wright buildings at our international headquarters in Racine serve as constant reminders of our legacy of bold decisions and making life better for the next generation. We’re thrilled to again share our architectural treasures on this international stage.”

"One of the reasons we support this architectural showcase is that it links the work we do in science, technology, engineering and math with the beauty and ingenuity associated with the architecture in Chicago," said Doug Sparkman, Chief Operating Officer of BP Fuels North America. "This city is known for the uniqueness of its architecture and since BP is an integral part of Chicago, this is a fantastic way for us to continue supporting the city’s rich cultural heritage and continued growth.”

Maison Martin Margiela, Beverly Hills, CA, 2007. Image courtesy of Johnston Marklee 

Johnston Marklee, a husband-and-wife team, has selected the theme of the Biennale as ''Make New History'' -the theme will focus on two central ideas: “the axis between history and modernity and the axis between architecture and art.” The theme looks to examine the relationship between history and contemporary architecture, as well as the connection between architecture and art. Precedents will be analyzed at different scales and through the lens of Chicago's own rich architectural history.

The Chicago Architecture Biennial is also appointing Todd Palmer, associate director of the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago, as the festival’s executive director. Palmer will work alongside the Chicago Architecture Biennial board to present the Biennial as a “world-class cultural attraction for the city.”

Menil Drawing Institute, Houston, Texas, 2014. Image courtesy of Johnston Marklee

Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee are the founding partners of the architecture firm Johnston Marklee. They have taught at major universities including the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Princeton University, the University of California, Los Angeles, the Technical University of Berlin, and ETH Zurich. They have held the Cullinan Chair at Rice University and the Frank Gehry Chair at the University of Toronto.

Vault House, Oxnard, California, 2013. Image © Eric Staudenmaier

Since its establishment in 1998 in Los Angeles, Johnston Marklee has been recognized nationally and internationally with awards and publications. To date, the firm has been awarded over 30 major awards, and a book on its work, entitled House Is a House Is a House Is a House Is a House, was published by Birkhauser in 2016. This followed a monograph on the firm’s work, published in 2014 by 2G.

Sale House, Venice, Los Angeles, CA, United States, 2004. Image courtesy of Johnston Marklee

Projects undertaken by Johnston Marklee are diverse in scale and type, spanning seven countries throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Current projects include the Menil Drawing Institute, on the campus of the Menil Collection, complete in September 2017; a renovation of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, complete in the summer of 2017; and the new UCLA Graduate Art Studios campus in Culver City, California.

UCLA Graduate Art Studios, Culver City, California, 2011. Image courtesy of Johnston Marklee

The firm’s work has been exhibited internationally and is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Menil Collection, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Architecture Museum of TU Munich. Johnston Marklee participated in the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial in 2015.

View House, Rosario, Argentina, 2009. Image courtesy of Johnston Marklee

This will be the second edition of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, which premiered in 2015 and was envisioned by Mayor Emanuel. The inaugural Biennial was unprecedented: the first and largest international exhibition of contemporary architecture ever to have taken place in North America, it featured the visionary ideas of 120 participating architecture and design offices from more than 30 countries. More than half a million Chicago residents and visitors from abroad took part.

The 2017 Biennial will be open to the public and on view from September 16 through December 31, 2017. Press and professional previews will take place September 14 and 15. The opening of the 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial will align with the sixth annual Expo Chicago, the International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art, which will run September 13–17 at Navy Pier. 

The hub of the 2017 Biennial will once again be the Chicago Cultural Center, located in downtown Chicago.

Top image © Eric Staudenmaier

> via Chicago Architecture Biennale