Project Information
What happens when over 40 architects create interpretive headpieces celebrating their favorite spatial moments in Chicago? The Architects’ Guild, organized by Architecture for Public Benefit, AIA Chicago, and the Arts in the Dark parade, answers this question. We were thrilled to be invited to create a headpiece for the inaugural guild and its march down State Street during the parade. Being Brutalism fans, we immediately wanted to celebrate Bertrand Goldberg’s River City. But how would we create a headpiece out of River City?
Goldberg, the powerhouse of Chicago Architecture with fantastic, sculptural concrete design, inspired the answer. Why not mash up River City with another Chicago powerhouse? Josh’s love of 80s and 90s professional wrestling provided just the one—Road Warrior Hawk of the legendary tag team The Road Warriors / Legion of Doom. Hawk’s distinctive reverse mohawk became the basis for our exploration of creating a headpiece out of River City.
Utilizing 3D modeling and printing, we created a headpiece that celebrates River City and its River Road atrium, interpreted as a reverse mohawk. River Road is lit with color-changing LED to signify the importance of the space in the building. On each side is the building, showing the unique structural system of one-bedroom unit modules that allow units in between to create the S shape of the building. The remains of a bicycle helmet create a stabilization system for keeping the headpiece on during the parade.
Details
- As part of the Architects’ Guild created by Architecture for Public Benefit, AIA Chicago, and the Arts in the Dark Parade
- 3d Printed Headpiece – approximately 2′ x 1′-6″ x 2′, 8 lbs
- Team: Josh Mings, Katia Astudillo
- All photography (except River City photos by Josh): Erielle Bakkum Photography
- All participants: Adam Fogel, Akima Brackeen, Alina Nazmeeva, Annabell Ren, Antonio Torres, Chana Haouzi, Dillon Pranger, Elizabeth Blasius, Ella Edelstein, Jan Concepcion, Emerson Rice, Emmett Mach, Eve Fineman, Hamza Sadiq, Hope Dinsmore, James Silvestro, Jason Meyering, Jessie LaFree, John Wagner, Joseph Altshuler, Josh Mings, Juan Suarez, Katherine Darnstadt, Kirsten Landmark Masih, Krista Weir, Lindsey Krug, Michal Ojrzanowski, Monica Chadha, Myles Emmons, Nootan Bharani, Palmyra Geraki, Philana Quan, Robert Becker, Rogelio Cadena, Samantha Rich, Sharon Xu, Tony Hurtig, Trent Fredrickson, Uthman Olowa, Vero Rose Smith, Vincent Calabro, Wei Yu, Zack Morrison
Press
- Architectural Head Games Exhibition at Chicago Architecture Center through May 31, 2025
- WGN TV Spotlight Chicago segment on the Architects’ Guild
- Archinect: Chicago Architecture Center opens show on wearable architecture inspired by the city
- Block Club Chicago: Famous Chicago Buildings Turned Into Hats At Chicago Architecture Center Exhibit