In response to the city’s request for proposals to redesign Cabrini-Green, Landon Architects drew up a plan. But it never really thought it had a chance to win part of a $50 million grant to develop 9.3 acres of the north-side property. Still, for months the firm met regularly with officials, made presentations, and participated in weekly town meetings. Landon Architects advocated working with residents to give them a sense of ownership and a voice in their future. Though the jury’s still out, the city may make boosting its tax base a priority, offering no guarantee that current residents will have a home there in the future.
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Landon Architects’ proposal was cited as one of the best by the nonprofit Metropolitan Planning Council. Eighty-five percent of the firm’s business comes from its alignment with community development corporations. The other 15 percent comes from work in the private sector, mostly designing not-so-affordable summer homes for the more well-heeled.
As a small, seven-person operation, Landon Architects may have never had the resources or the clout to win a piece of the Cabrini pie. But that doesn’t stop Landon from feeling disappointed. “It would have been nice to at least get a thank you. I mean, sure it’s the city, but they should know better.”
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): Peter Landon photo by Cynthia Howe/ assorted chair photos.
