Dragonfly Gallery & Creative Spaces
Presents
Chicago Conscious Design: A Teen Architecture and Design Competition
Introduction
Dragonfly Gallery and Creatives Spaces is proud to announce the 1st annual Chicago Conscious Design! This competition and exhibition highlights and showcases the talents of Chicagoland Teens with a special emphasis on South and West side Teens who have historically been under-represented in the fields of Architecture, Design, Urban Planning, and the Arts. Through the competition:
Dragonfly Gallery and Creatives Spaces is proud to announce the 1st annual Chicago Conscious Design! This competition and exhibition highlights and showcases the talents of Chicagoland Teens with a special emphasis on South and West side Teens who have historically been under-represented in the fields of Architecture, Design, Urban Planning, and the Arts. Through the competition:
- Inspire Teens to think about the communities they live in and reimagine their communities
- It gives teens an opportunity to learn through architecture, design and urban planning
- It provides a platform to hear Teen voice and perspective
- Learn about the Design Process and how it can be used to solve community problems
- Gives an opportunity for civic engagement and key stakeholders to see how South/West communities can improve
Deadline: Friday, May 10th 2024 are due at 5pm CDT
Saturday, May 11th for physical submissions to be dropped off at 2436 W. Madison
Saturday, May 11th for physical submissions to be dropped off at 2436 W. Madison
Eligibility
Any Chicago-area high school student (ages 13 to 19) is allowed to participate. Students participating in afterschool programs or working independently should reach out to Dragonfly Gallery at dragonflygallery1@gmail.com so we can help you plan, set goals, and get feedback.
Any Chicago-area high school student (ages 13 to 19) is allowed to participate. Students participating in afterschool programs or working independently should reach out to Dragonfly Gallery at dragonflygallery1@gmail.com so we can help you plan, set goals, and get feedback.
Divisions
ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Overview
Photography is a powerful tool in storytelling. In this division, teens explore architecture through photography. What story do you want to tell of the building you capture? Is there a building in your community that has been forgotten? Are you interested in capturing an iconic Chicago building? What is its history?
Challenge and Requirements
You can take a picture of any Chicago building in the city. The challenge is to capture the character, uniqueness, and/or details of the building. What story does the building tell?
Example of Architectural photographers
Tekla Evelina Severin
Matthias Haker
Clemente Vergara
Tips for interior & exterior architecture photography
How to photograph Architecture: The Complete guide
Photography is a powerful tool in storytelling. In this division, teens explore architecture through photography. What story do you want to tell of the building you capture? Is there a building in your community that has been forgotten? Are you interested in capturing an iconic Chicago building? What is its history?
Challenge and Requirements
You can take a picture of any Chicago building in the city. The challenge is to capture the character, uniqueness, and/or details of the building. What story does the building tell?
- Digitally upload your images
- 3 to 5 photographs of the same building (environment can be included)
- Digital submission should at least be 4” x 6” or 1200 x 1800 pixels or bigger
Example of Architectural photographers
Tekla Evelina Severin
Matthias Haker
Clemente Vergara
Tips for interior & exterior architecture photography
How to photograph Architecture: The Complete guide
Architectural Renderings
Unity Temple, Oak Park, Illinois. 1905 – 08. Perspective from the west. Watercolor and ink on paper
Overview
In the profession of architecture, drawing is essential to the process of design. From diagrammatical to highly technical, hand drawing brings value to every architectural project by allowing to convey intent and explore ideas. Drawing is a tool for thought, for creativity, for invention.
Challenge and Requirements
Pick one of the following iconic Chicago buildings to draw. You can use pencil, charcoal, color pencil, markers, or watercolor. The size of your drawing paper should at least be 11”x 14” inches or bigger. Your challenge is not only to capture the physical appearance of the building and its environment but also to capture the soul of the building through color, composition, line, etc.Your drawing can capture the outside appearance or a detail or an interior view.
South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S. South Shore Dr.
Frederick C. Robie House
5757 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett House
3624 S. Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Drive
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N. Central Park Ave.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Millennium Park 201 E. Randolph Street
Resources for this division
Architectural Drawings: types, steps and How-to’s
In the profession of architecture, drawing is essential to the process of design. From diagrammatical to highly technical, hand drawing brings value to every architectural project by allowing to convey intent and explore ideas. Drawing is a tool for thought, for creativity, for invention.
Challenge and Requirements
Pick one of the following iconic Chicago buildings to draw. You can use pencil, charcoal, color pencil, markers, or watercolor. The size of your drawing paper should at least be 11”x 14” inches or bigger. Your challenge is not only to capture the physical appearance of the building and its environment but also to capture the soul of the building through color, composition, line, etc.Your drawing can capture the outside appearance or a detail or an interior view.
- One drawing of the following buildings
- Do not include your name or school on the front of the drawing.
- Write your name, your email, teachers name, teacher’s email and school on the back of the drawing with a pencil
South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S. South Shore Dr.
Frederick C. Robie House
5757 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett House
3624 S. Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Drive
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N. Central Park Ave.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Millennium Park 201 E. Randolph Street
Resources for this division
Architectural Drawings: types, steps and How-to’s
The Two Flat Bungalow: A Physical Model
Overview
The two-and three flats make up more than a quarter of Chicago’s housing. Can be found in most neighbors. In some neighborhoods, like South Lawndale and Brighton Park, they make up more than two-thirds of the building stock. They were always intended as wealth-building investments and played a key role in the history of Chicago’s immigrant communities. Plans and building materials could even be purchased as kits.
Challenge and Requirements
In honor of a long standing architecture history, your challenge is to create a physical model of a two flat bungalow. There are several versions, any versions can be selected for this division.
Example floor plan
Submitting a physical model: your name or school should not be visible
Wait, Are Two-Flats Only A Chicago Thing? Why these uniquely Chicago homes have thrived for a century
Architectural Model Making-The Guide
30x40 Design Workshop videos-How to’s
The two-and three flats make up more than a quarter of Chicago’s housing. Can be found in most neighbors. In some neighborhoods, like South Lawndale and Brighton Park, they make up more than two-thirds of the building stock. They were always intended as wealth-building investments and played a key role in the history of Chicago’s immigrant communities. Plans and building materials could even be purchased as kits.
Challenge and Requirements
In honor of a long standing architecture history, your challenge is to create a physical model of a two flat bungalow. There are several versions, any versions can be selected for this division.
Example floor plan
Submitting a physical model: your name or school should not be visible
- Your physical model should be mounted on a crescent/foam board that measures 30"x20"
- Write your name, your email, teachers name, teacher’s email and school on the bottom of the board
Wait, Are Two-Flats Only A Chicago Thing? Why these uniquely Chicago homes have thrived for a century
Architectural Model Making-The Guide
30x40 Design Workshop videos-How to’s
Design
Overview
Why does design matter? Design could help shape our physical environment, create a sense of identity and place, improve our quality of life, and support economic development. Architects play a critical role in designing buildings and public spaces that are not only functional but also beautiful and sustainable and culturally relevant.
Challenge and Requirements
The following are design challenges meant to address fundamental issues that affect Chicago’s quality of life, equity, economic development and identity. You are the future of this city, therefore it starts with your vision of what our potential can be.
Why does design matter? Design could help shape our physical environment, create a sense of identity and place, improve our quality of life, and support economic development. Architects play a critical role in designing buildings and public spaces that are not only functional but also beautiful and sustainable and culturally relevant.
Challenge and Requirements
The following are design challenges meant to address fundamental issues that affect Chicago’s quality of life, equity, economic development and identity. You are the future of this city, therefore it starts with your vision of what our potential can be.
Vacant lot Redesign
A current aerial view of West Madison street near Fifth Avenue, one of the areas of intense rioting in April 1968.
Overview
Chicago experienced what are now known as the “Race Riots” for two days after Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed in April of 1968. What resulted was a devastation of entire city blocks and communities in the West and South sides of Chicago. Bulldozers cleared away the charred debris. Today the West side still has not recovered for several discriminating reasons such as Redlining and segregation, among other factors.
Challenge and Requirements
To design a public space, an art installation, an affordable home, or a Communal Activation on a
Typical 25’x 125’ Lot Size. For larger projects, three lots can be joined together. Your submissions can be either a digital renderings or a physical model (or both). The location needs to be specific and included in your submission. Use the City of Chicago Vacant lot map for current vacant lots in the city of Chicago.
Some questions to consider in your design process: Who is the community? Who are you designing for? (Elderly, youth, community organizations) What is the identity of the community? And how can we celebrate that identity through design? Are there any quality of life plans to reference? What are the needs of the community? Are there parks or green spaces nearby? Is the neighborhood in a food desert? How do you increase biodiversity?
Resources for this division:
“An empty parcel of land in which a building once stood, the disproportionate number of vacant lots that exist on the south and west sides of Chicago are directly related to the practice of redlining.”
Redlining is to refuse (a loan or insurance) to someone because they live in an area deemed to be a poor financial risk.”
“Communal Activation: An artist bringing together a large group of people to creatively activate a place on a temporary basis.”
Design Thinking: “Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.” -Tim Brown
The Design Process Diagram*
*not necessarily linear: d.school Executive Education
How did Chicago Become So Segregated?
What Happened During the West Side Riots of April 1968
Rage, Riots, ruin
Mapping Inequality
Redlining
City of Chicago Vacant Lot Map
Example of Projects by Human Scale
Austin Gallery
The Island Oasis
Chicago experienced what are now known as the “Race Riots” for two days after Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed in April of 1968. What resulted was a devastation of entire city blocks and communities in the West and South sides of Chicago. Bulldozers cleared away the charred debris. Today the West side still has not recovered for several discriminating reasons such as Redlining and segregation, among other factors.
Challenge and Requirements
To design a public space, an art installation, an affordable home, or a Communal Activation on a
Typical 25’x 125’ Lot Size. For larger projects, three lots can be joined together. Your submissions can be either a digital renderings or a physical model (or both). The location needs to be specific and included in your submission. Use the City of Chicago Vacant lot map for current vacant lots in the city of Chicago.
Some questions to consider in your design process: Who is the community? Who are you designing for? (Elderly, youth, community organizations) What is the identity of the community? And how can we celebrate that identity through design? Are there any quality of life plans to reference? What are the needs of the community? Are there parks or green spaces nearby? Is the neighborhood in a food desert? How do you increase biodiversity?
- Site plan rendering
- Floor plan (s)
- Elevation rendering(s)
- 2 additional renderings of interior and exterior
- If you are printing your own digital renderings, prints should be 24"x18", they should be stacked horizontally and mounted on a crescent/form board that measures 30"x20".
- If you are submitting a physical model: your name or school should not be visible
- Your physical model should be mounted on a crescent/form board
- Write your name, your email, teachers name, teacher’s email and school on the bottom of the board
Resources for this division:
“An empty parcel of land in which a building once stood, the disproportionate number of vacant lots that exist on the south and west sides of Chicago are directly related to the practice of redlining.”
Redlining is to refuse (a loan or insurance) to someone because they live in an area deemed to be a poor financial risk.”
“Communal Activation: An artist bringing together a large group of people to creatively activate a place on a temporary basis.”
Design Thinking: “Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.” -Tim Brown
The Design Process Diagram*
*not necessarily linear: d.school Executive Education
How did Chicago Become So Segregated?
What Happened During the West Side Riots of April 1968
Rage, Riots, ruin
Mapping Inequality
Redlining
City of Chicago Vacant Lot Map
Example of Projects by Human Scale
Austin Gallery
The Island Oasis
Shipping Container Home
Overview
The city of Chicago has an affordable housing crisis. A stunning 74% of very low-income households (almost 3 out 4) are severely rent-burdened, ie. pay more than 50% of income for rent.
A shipping container home is an excellent option for anyone looking for an affordable, sustainable, durable, and customizable living space.
Challenge and Requirements
To design a home using one or two shipping containers on a standard Chicago lot. Most commonly, containers are around 10-feet, 20-feet or 40-feet long, each at around 8 feet wide.
An average Chicago city lot 25’x 125’ Lot Size.
The city of Chicago has an affordable housing crisis. A stunning 74% of very low-income households (almost 3 out 4) are severely rent-burdened, ie. pay more than 50% of income for rent.
A shipping container home is an excellent option for anyone looking for an affordable, sustainable, durable, and customizable living space.
Challenge and Requirements
To design a home using one or two shipping containers on a standard Chicago lot. Most commonly, containers are around 10-feet, 20-feet or 40-feet long, each at around 8 feet wide.
An average Chicago city lot 25’x 125’ Lot Size.
- 5 renderings uploaded digitally Google form
- If you are printing your own digital renderings, prints should be printed at 24"x18", they should be stacked horizontally and mounted on a crescent/foam board that measures 30"x20".
- If you are submitting a physical model: your name or school should not be visible
- Your physical model should be mounted on a crescent/foam board that measures 30"x20"
- Write your name, your email, teachers name, teacher’s email and school on the bottom of the board
Homeless Portable Shelter
Overview
The city estimates there were about 6,139 homeless people in Chicago in 2023, with 5,149 individuals experiencing homelessness residing in shelters and 990 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Challenge and Requirements
To Design a homeless portable shelter that can withstand a harsh Chicago winter, rain and wind that is light and portable. Keep in mind when designing your shelter that it should be portable, light enough to be carried by a person and big enough for an average person to be able to sleep in. Example: Andy Robledo: redesigned ice fishing tents for the homeless
Your design can be a digital rendering or physical model. Your design should include material example(s).
The city estimates there were about 6,139 homeless people in Chicago in 2023, with 5,149 individuals experiencing homelessness residing in shelters and 990 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Challenge and Requirements
To Design a homeless portable shelter that can withstand a harsh Chicago winter, rain and wind that is light and portable. Keep in mind when designing your shelter that it should be portable, light enough to be carried by a person and big enough for an average person to be able to sleep in. Example: Andy Robledo: redesigned ice fishing tents for the homeless
Your design can be a digital rendering or physical model. Your design should include material example(s).
- Site plan rendering
- Floor plan (s)
- Elevation renderings
- 2 additional renderings of interior and exterior
- If you are printing your own digital renderings, prints should be 24"x18", they should be stacked horizontally and mounted on a crescent/foam board that measures 30"x20".
- If you are submitting a physical model: your name or school should not be visible
- Your physical model should be mounted on a crescent/foam board that measures 30"x20"
- Write your name, your email, teachers name, teacher’s email and school on the bottom of the board
Environmentally & Sustainable design
Factor 10 house at 1919 N. Keeler in the Hermosa neighborhood was named one of the top 10 Green Projects by the American Institute of Architects.
The Overview
The purpose of sustainable design is to “reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
Challenge and Requirements
To design a building or structure that meets all principles of Sustainable Design. All designs need to explain how they are meeting the principles of design and how the design would qualify to receive the LEED platinum certification.
Principles of Sustainable Design
Sustainable Design (LEED) website
LEED Certification
LEED certification for neighborhood development
The International Living Future Institute
The purpose of sustainable design is to “reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
Challenge and Requirements
To design a building or structure that meets all principles of Sustainable Design. All designs need to explain how they are meeting the principles of design and how the design would qualify to receive the LEED platinum certification.
Principles of Sustainable Design
- Low impact materials: choose non-toxic, sustainability produced or recycled materials which require little energy to process.
- Energy efficiency: use manufacturing processes and produce products which require less energy
- Quality and durability: longer-lasting and better-functioning products will have to be replaced less frequently, reducing the impacts of producing replacements
- Design for reuse and recycling: “Products, processes, and systems should be designed for performance in a commercial ‘afterlife’
- Site plan rendering
- Floor plan (s)
- Elevation renderings
- 2 additional renderings of interior and exterior
- All digital renderings should be printed at 24"x18"
- If you are submitting a physical model: your your name or school should not be visible
- Your physical model should be mounted on a crescent/foam board that measures 30"x20"
- Write your name, your email, teachers name, teacher’s email and school on the bottom of the board
Sustainable Design (LEED) website
LEED Certification
LEED certification for neighborhood development
The International Living Future Institute
Dragonfly Gallery and Creatives spaces is an artist-run nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide a space that inspires, provides resources, and offers opportunity. Our vision and commitment is to be a catalyst for change. By providing youth, community members, and minorities with rich art-experiences, hands-on workshops/classes, skilled based seminars/workshops, our community will thrive again. We are also committed to providing affordable studio spaces with amenities to our young, aspiring artists and innovators.
Chicago Conscious Design: A Teen Architecture and Design Competition Partners
Advisers
Jerome Thymes: Simeon High School
Paul Joanes: Curie High School
I'm a product of Chicago Public Schools. Fenger High School, Class of 1977. I attended Eastern Illinois University, earning both Bachelors and Master's degrees in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Industrial Design. I've been a teacher for Chicago Public Schools for the last 40 years.
Leslie Weaver: Benito Juarez High School
Partner: Human Scale
Human Scale is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by a group of architecture students. Their mission is to design and build functional, beautiful and meaningful public spaces in historically disinvested neighborhoods across Chicago.
Advisers
Jerome Thymes: Simeon High School
Paul Joanes: Curie High School
I'm a product of Chicago Public Schools. Fenger High School, Class of 1977. I attended Eastern Illinois University, earning both Bachelors and Master's degrees in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Industrial Design. I've been a teacher for Chicago Public Schools for the last 40 years.
Leslie Weaver: Benito Juarez High School
Partner: Human Scale
Human Scale is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by a group of architecture students. Their mission is to design and build functional, beautiful and meaningful public spaces in historically disinvested neighborhoods across Chicago.
Eligibility
Any Chicago-area high school student (ages 13 to 19) is allowed to participate. Students participating in afterschool programs or working independently should reach out to Dragonfly Gallery at dragonflygallery1@gmail.com so we can help you plan, set goals, and get feedback.
Submissions and Prizes
All submissions will be showcased on Dragonfly Gallery & Creative Spaces website.
In Each Division:
First Prize $200
Second Prize $125
Third Prize $75
Honorable mention $25
If students work as a team, prize money is split amongst the team evenly.
Two Grand Prize winners: will be awarded a full scholarship to attend UIC HiArch Summer Program at the School of Architecture and/or The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Early College Program
All submissions will be juried by professionals in the field. Comprehensive list coming soon!
Deadline: Friday, May 10th 204 are due at 5pm CDT
Saturday, May 11th for physical submissions to be dropped off at 2436 W. Madison
Email at dragonflygallery1@gmail for any questions regarding the competition.
Any Chicago-area high school student (ages 13 to 19) is allowed to participate. Students participating in afterschool programs or working independently should reach out to Dragonfly Gallery at dragonflygallery1@gmail.com so we can help you plan, set goals, and get feedback.
Submissions and Prizes
All submissions will be showcased on Dragonfly Gallery & Creative Spaces website.
In Each Division:
First Prize $200
Second Prize $125
Third Prize $75
Honorable mention $25
If students work as a team, prize money is split amongst the team evenly.
Two Grand Prize winners: will be awarded a full scholarship to attend UIC HiArch Summer Program at the School of Architecture and/or The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Early College Program
All submissions will be juried by professionals in the field. Comprehensive list coming soon!
Deadline: Friday, May 10th 204 are due at 5pm CDT
Saturday, May 11th for physical submissions to be dropped off at 2436 W. Madison
Email at dragonflygallery1@gmail for any questions regarding the competition.
Design Process
The five stages of Design Thinking, according to d.school, are as follows: Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
1. Empathize: The Empathize mode is the work you do to understand people, within the context of your design challenge. During this stage, we are working with users a lot. Observing what people do and how they interact with their environment gives you clues about what they think and feel.
2. Define: The Define mode of the design process is all about bringing clarity and focus to the design space. The goal of the Define mode is to craft a meaningful and actionable problem statement – this is what we call a point-of-view. Provides focus and frames the problem .
3. Ideate: Ideate is the mode of the design process in which you concentrate on idea generation. We ideate in order to transition from identifying problems to creating solutions for our users.
Particularly early in a design project, ideation is about pushing for a widest possible range of ideas from which you can select, not simply finding a single, best solution.
4. Prototype: The Prototype mode is the iterative generation of artifacts intended to answer questions that get you closer to your final solution. In these early stages, you should create low-resolution prototypes that are quick and cheap to make (think minutes and cents) but can elicit useful feedback from users and colleagues.
5. Test: The Test mode is when you solicit feedback about the prototypes you have created. Show them to your users and have another opportunity to gain empathy for the people you are designing for.
2. Define: The Define mode of the design process is all about bringing clarity and focus to the design space. The goal of the Define mode is to craft a meaningful and actionable problem statement – this is what we call a point-of-view. Provides focus and frames the problem .
3. Ideate: Ideate is the mode of the design process in which you concentrate on idea generation. We ideate in order to transition from identifying problems to creating solutions for our users.
Particularly early in a design project, ideation is about pushing for a widest possible range of ideas from which you can select, not simply finding a single, best solution.
4. Prototype: The Prototype mode is the iterative generation of artifacts intended to answer questions that get you closer to your final solution. In these early stages, you should create low-resolution prototypes that are quick and cheap to make (think minutes and cents) but can elicit useful feedback from users and colleagues.
5. Test: The Test mode is when you solicit feedback about the prototypes you have created. Show them to your users and have another opportunity to gain empathy for the people you are designing for.
Brainstorming
Mind Map
A mind map shows the different ideas associated with a particular concept. It is a useful tool for brainstorming.
Storyboarding
Word Banking
S.C.A.M.P.E.R.
S.W.O.T. Analysis
A mind map shows the different ideas associated with a particular concept. It is a useful tool for brainstorming.
Storyboarding
Word Banking
S.C.A.M.P.E.R.
S.W.O.T. Analysis