Day 2| Civic Changemaking Panel & Tour
In “Civic Changemaking,” specific processes and initiatives focus on circular economies of resources and knowledge, adaptive reuse of singular places, thoughtful sustainable construction, and structural urban regenerations. Explore the full program here
SCHEDULE
Shaping Contemporary Realities | Civic Changemaking Panel
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (RSVP)
Opening remarks by the organizers:
Nathalie Filser, director of Villa Albertine Chicago
Iker Gil, founder of MAS Context
Julie Michiels, editor of MAS Context
Welcoming remarks by the host of the day:
Connie Spreen, cofounder and executive director of Experimental Station
Monica Chadha, founder of Civic Projects Architecture
Presentations by:
Sabina Bokhari
Director of Communications & Special Projects for the Rebuild Foundation and Theaster Gates Studio
Sonia Vu
Partner at Encore Heureux Architects
Faheem Majeed
Artist, and Cofounder of the Floating Museum
Rebekah Coffman
Curator of religion and community history at the Chicago History Museum, founder of Sacred Shift Project
Anirban Ghosh
Senior manager strategy and business development for circular economy at Saint-Gobain North America
Conversation and Q&A with presenters led by:
Elizabeth Blasius
Cofounder of Preservation Futures
Shaping Contemporary Realities | Civic Changemaking Tour
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (RSVP)
Tour of the Obama Presidential Center campus (museum not included) with:
Monica Chadha, founder of Civic Projects Architecture
Nora Semel, Vice President, Obama Presidential Center Programs
Throughout the day
Immersive sound experience for individuals or small groups: a sensory experience of each place initiated by a sound artist Stefania Becheanu.
ABOUT THE VENUE
Experimental Station is an independent, nonprofit incubator based on Chicago’s South Side, dedicated to building innovative cultural, educational, and environmental projects. By supporting small-scale enterprises and community-driven initiatives, the organization fosters local resilience and social infrastructure. It serves as a vital civic hub, intersecting with urban design and community development to address essential needs and create sustainable, equitable ecosystems within the city.
The symposium is organized by Villa Albertine Chicago and MAS Context, with leading support by Saint-Gobain, a global leader in light and sustainable construction.
Additional support is provided by Albertine Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, School of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Experimental Station, and Chicago Architecture Center. The Driehaus Museum is a collaborating institution. Editorial partners include States – Villa Albertine and Constructing a Sustainable Future.