Architecture Tour Meets Pop Culture

If you do an architectural walking tour in Chicago, this has got to be it! You will learn about architectural styles by comparing them to works in art and pop culture, from jazz music reflected in art deco to Warhol's soup cans as parallel to modernism.

What does Michael Jackson’s Thriller have to do with the design of a post-modern skyscraper? Or Andy Warhol’s soup cans with modernism? On this creative tour of Chicago architecture, you will learn about architectural styles through their connections with technology and culture, including pop culture. We’ll look at lots of eye candy while expanding our understanding of architectural styles and Chicago history on this very visual and interactive tour.
All arts are a reflection of an age, and styles across creative media have similar qualities. Through comparisons to works in art, design, and pop culture from various periods of history, we will identify architectural styles and understand their deeper connections with history. We will also consider how the advancements in technology and engineering throughout history have shaped buildings.
The fun and creative educational approach of this Chicago architecture walking tour makes it unlike any other architecture tour in the city. The tour appeals to both Chicago locals and visitors, and those well-versed in art history and those not. You will learn about various architectural styles, both by looking at buildings in front of us and at images and video on shared iPads.
Our architecture tour goes south of the Michigan Avenue bridge along a route where many people walk but rarely look up. We conclude at the very new urban playground of Maggie Daley Park.