ARCH 432 - FALL 2025
Collective Hybrid
Chicago, like other major American cities, grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, evolving from a small settlement into a large metropolis. After World War II, the construction of highways and the rise of individual car ownership caused the central part of the city to become deserted after hours as people moved to the suburbs. Since then, hybridization efforts have aimed to reclaim the city through projects such as Marina City and the Hancock Tower, which integrate urban networks and foster vibrancy through diverse public and private programs.
Collective Hybrid operated near the LaSalle Corridor Revitalization area, focusing on the central business district with high vacancy rates. It learned from community-led planning to create a mixed-use district that supports affordable housing, cultural programs, neighborhood amenities, and sustainable preservation.
The studio’s main project, a cultural center with a focus on natural systems, drew inspiration from historic examples like Chicago Field Houses and settlement houses that offered educational, cultural, and social services, along with nature engagement.
The studio conducted collective research into the history and typology of hybrid buildings, ideals of the collective, urban infrastructure, adaptive reuse, and environmental systems and developed design proposals that envisioned vibrant, equitable, and sustainable urban futures for Chicago.