Cermak Creative Industries District

Partners:
Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, City of Chicago
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Archeworks is engaging in a City-led effort to transform an isolated industrial corridor into a new district for the creative industries. The proposed Cermak Creative Industries District, which borders the communities of Chinatown and Pilsen, will provide a mix of work spaces and collaborative opportunities for diverse enterprises that are part of Chicago’s expanding creative industries sector. 

The Archeworks design team, COLL Chicago, is focused on a series of design challenges that lay important groundwork during the District’s predevelopment phase. Our goal is to inspire new thinking and to help the City set a new standard for a world class creative business hub that attracts and spawns businesses across the creative sectors. This Archeworks initiative is also closely aligned with the City’s  long-range goal of building the capacity of cultural districts as a city-wide economic engine and developing new models for cultural economic development that strengthen neighborhood economies.

Drawing from local field research as well as best practices and ideas from around the world, our COLL Chicago team aims to expand access and connectivity across the District while aiding in the city’s vision to reanimate the District as a hub for the creative industries. They are constructing small scale physical and digital interventions to enhance the interaction between potential users of the site, current tenants, and the District.

Take a self-guided tour of the district!

Check out the team's documentary, Barb + Marshelle's Fantastic Journey

Visit the team's COLLME website!