by Emily Clott, class of 2012
161 docents gathered at the Loyola University campus on a mild and sunny November morning for All Docent Day (ADD), the annual opportunity to meet and greet friends, to catch up with CAC news, and to enrich our body of knowledge with presentations from speakers on the state of the CAC and noteworthy innovations in architecture. The ADD planners, Bill Lipsman, Lance Friedman, and Bobbi Pinkert, with outstanding support from Caroline Duda and Lexie Oliva, planned a day at a great venue, packed with interesting content and delicious meals.
The program began with remarks by Docent Council President Ross Wirth, whose interest in architecture began as a child living in an old house his parents were renovating. Ross described the work of the Task Forces established in January of this year, citing progress in the areas of Digital Growth, Improving Docent-Staff Interaction, and Defining the Docent Experience.
Eleanor Gorski, CAC’s President and CEO, followed Ross recounting similar childhood home remodeling experiences leading to her interest in architecture. She outlined the main goals she and her team are working on based on the organization’s 2021 Strategic Plan:
- Making CAC a premier destination with an emphasis on increasing the number of visits to the Center.
- Making CAC a thought leader by bringing exhibits and presentations up to the quality of our tours.
- Representing the diversity of the Chicago community in our staffing and outreach efforts.
- Improving our digital presence through both hardware and software upgrades.
- Creating diversified funding streams, for example with a digital subscription service.
Eleanor emphasized the need for CAC to lead conversations about the built environment, for example in efforts to save 202 and 220 S. State Street from the wrecking ball. CAC cares because of the historic qualities of the early skyscrapers, and because of sustainability concerns. She outlined ways preservation leaders are attempting to preserve the two endangered structures.
Two presentations explained the benefits of using mass timber in skyscraper construction. Bobby Larson, Architect and Senior Associate at DLR Group, presented 10 Years of Mass Timber Design. Following a brief Q & A session, a discussion of Low Carbon Innovations in Materials & Building Technology was presented by engineers Joe Burns, Managing Principal, and Nisha Kakde, Sr. Project Consultant, at Thornton Tomasetti.
A third presentation by Anthony Akindele, Founding Principal of nia architects, focused on certifications available for residential buildings. Residential projects creating “affordable” new mid and low-rise buildings can qualify for LEED, PHIUS (Passive House), or Freedom from Slavery Certifications. All presenters’ slides are available here. (A copy of the ADD presentation can be downloaded by clicking here).
Attendees left ADD renewed and refreshed after a delicious lunch and the food for thought to sustain us until next year’s event. Thanks to all who made it happen and to all who attended.
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