“On the Table”: Creative Solutions to House and Feed All Chicagoans

On Tuesday, May 10, the Society of Architectural Historians, along with thousands of Chicago-area residents and organizations, participated in a day of conversations to discuss the future of our communities while sharing a meal. Organized by the Chicago Community Trust, the conversations put real issues and solutions ‘on the table’ sharing commitments to helping shape Chicago’s collective future. 

SAH’s breakfast discussion, “Creative Solutions to House and Feed all Chicagoans,” brought together architects, food providers and community leaders to discuss housing ideas for Chicago’s homeless and creating communities that incorporate sustainable and affordable food supply to address these needs. While no solutions came about that day, it did begin a dialogue that our group hopes to continue. 

  

Our conversation was video-recorded by the CCT to capture the unique character of contemporary challenges being discussed in one of Chicago’s iconic historic homes, SAH’s headquarters, Charnley-Persky House. See video clips of the day, including SAH, at https://youtu.be/jzQLHeK-8pA.

Thanks to the participants who joined SAH Executive Director Pauline Saliga and staff members Carolyn Garrett and Helena Dean in our discussion: 

• Ameera Ashraf O’Neil, Senior Project Manager, UrbanWorks Architecture
• Peter Landon, Founder and Principal, Landon Bone Baker Architects
• Jim Law, President, Garfield Park Conservancy Alliance
• Susan Kane, Chief Program Officer, Blessings in a Backpack
• Nadia Gronkowski, Environmental Education Master’s Candidate