Jeanne Gang and CAC CEO Eleanor Gorski. Photos by CGN.

By GINNY VAN ALYEA

A new exhibition opening June 11 at the Chicago Architecture Center invites visitors to consider Chicago's built environment through the lens of one of the city's most important seasonal visitors: migratory birds.

Developed in partnership with Jeanne Gang and Studio Gang, Flyway City explores how architecture and urban design can help protect wildlife along the Mississippi Flyway, which runs through Chicago and is one of North America's major bird migration routes. Through interactive displays, research, design case studies, and hands-on activities, the exhibition highlights both the challenges birds face in urban environments and the solutions available to architects, building owners, and residents.

"Chicago is such an amazing place because it is on this migratory flyway. So we want to lean into that identity," Gang said.

Birds that have collided with glass

The exhibition examines the growing movement toward bird-friendly design. One of the most notable and compelling take-aways of the exhibition is being able to view the application on the CAC’s river-facing windows of an adhesive film of barely visible clear dots, which when used on the glass creates enough of a visual for birds that they redirect flight and are significantly less likely to crash. This is especially useful and easy to do for existing buildings, including residences, as window coverings or protections are needed up to the tree canopy or about 100 feet. New construction can use specially formulated glass. 

A display shows how birds collide with glass

Visitors will also learn about Chicago's unique biodiversity and the role architecture can play in supporting urban habitats. For Gang, the project brings together longtime interests in both the natural and built worlds.

"The reason why that I wanted to do this exhibit and partner with CAC,” explained Gang, “was that in my whole career, even growing up, I love nature and also cities and architecture. I've been working on this for a long time to understand how to make cities more attractive to wildlife and nature, as well as how to make sure that the buildings and the built environment respond and protect them. Chicago is such an amazing place because it is on this migratory flyway, hence the flyway city. So we want to lean into that identity.”

Beyond raising awareness, Flyway City aims to inspire action. The exhibition offers practical ideas for homeowners and building managers while encouraging broader conversations about policy and urban planning.

CAC CEO Eleanor Gorski shared, “I'm thrilled that we have the flexibility to [do this exhibition at the Architecture Center], but also our mission is to create better design through living and that means not just for people but for everyone who's part of our environment. We have over half a million people that come through here annually, especially during the summer months. We have a lot of visitors that come on our walking tours, on boat tours. We saw this as a great way to educate people about the flyway in general and specifically about architecture and how that dovetails with our living environment.”

With that kind of critical mass in mind Gang added, ”We're going to try to create this whole class of advocates for bird safety in the city.”

The exhibition will remain on view through the end of the year, inviting visitors to rethink Chicago not only as a city for people, but as a habitat shared with countless other living species.

"We want Chicago to really be a city that's about nature and cities and protect birds that fly through here and live here," Gang said.

Details at chicagoarchitecture.org

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