Lap Chi Kwong and Alison Von Glinow

The Department of Architecture welcomes Lap Chi Kwong and Alison Von Glinow from the Chicago architecture office Kwong Von Glinow for their lecture, "There Is Room." 

The City has room for design innovation.
The Building has room to reevaluate how it accommodates contemporary lifestyles and values.
The Room has the possibility to enhance everyday life.

Kwong Von Glinow is an architecture practice based in Chicago founded on the belief that architecture is meant to be enjoyed. Their work translates forward-looking architectural concepts into designs with broad appeal, taking an optimistic and explorative approach. The practice’s projects are about clear ideas and compelling ideals with architectural intentions that are simple, yet powerful and transformative. The practice takes on projects of varying programs to design innovative living environments, places for cultural engagement, innovative academic and institutional settings, contemporary workspaces, and not least urban public spaces.

Kwong Von Glinow was founded in 2017 by Lap Chi Kwong and Alison Von Glinow. The firm’s current projects include the renovation and addition to a landmarked Howard Van Doren Shaw house in Highland Park, IL; a mixed-use multi-family with commercial building along Chicago Avenue; a rooftop addition to a historic Greystone; and an accessory building for a countryside estate. Kwong Von Glinow recently completed: Ardmore House, the Swiss Consulate Chicago at the John Hancock Center, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Library and two residence hall lobbies, and Rice Architecture’s MD Anderson Hall renovation in Houston, TX.

Lap Chi Kwong is co-founder of Kwong Von Glinow, a Chicago-based architecture practice.  Kwong Von Glinow’s work draws on familiar architectural elements to create designs that are innovative yet accessible, blending forward-thinking concepts with familiar and identifiable forms. The practice’s optimistic and exploratory approach focuses on designing inventive living environments, cultural and institutional spaces, urban public environments, and contemporary workplaces.

Notable completed projects include: Ardmore House, which received the 2021 AIA Chicago Small Projects Honor Award, an AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award, an AIA Illinois Award for Excellence in Interiors, and was published in Architectural Record as “House of the Month”; the Swiss Consulate Chicago, which received an AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award; the renovation of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Flaxman Library which received an AIA Chicago Design Excellence Honor Award; and most recently, the Rice University School of Architecture MD Anderson Hall Renovation that received the AIA Houston Award for Restoration and Renovation. 

Alison Von Glinow, AIA is an architect and co-founder of Kwong Von Glinow, a Chicago-based architecture practice.  Kwong Von Glinow’s work draws on familiar architectural elements to create designs that are innovative yet accessible, blending forward-thinking concepts with familiar and identifiable forms. The practice’s optimistic and exploratory approach focuses on designing inventive living environments, cultural and institutional spaces, urban public environments, and contemporary workplaces.

Notable completed projects include: Ardmore House, which received the 2021 AIA Chicago Small Projects Honor Award, an AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award, an AIA Illinois Award for Excellence in Interiors, and was published in Architectural Record as “House of the Month”; the Swiss Consulate Chicago, which received an AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award; the renovation of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Flaxman Library which received an AIA Chicago Design Excellence Honor Award; and most recently, the Rice University School of Architecture MD Anderson Hall Renovation that received the AIA Houston Award for Restoration and Renovation. 

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