INSIDE DESIGN

Participants went behind the scenes of one of the most anticipated civic projects in the country with an inside look at the design and construction of Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center. Led by Moody Nolan architect Renauld Mitchell, this guided experience explored the architectural vision, design strategy, and build process behind the space.

Participants gained insight into how the project moved from concept to construction, including key decisions around structure, materiality, and the role of the building within the broader campus. Attendees also heard from artist Dorian Sylvain, co-creator of the vibrant mural Pass It Forward, who shared insight into the inspiration behind the work and how public art can deepen storytelling, identity, and connection within civic spaces. The tour offered a rare opportunity to experience the architecture up close while learning how design, art, and construction teams collaborate to bring complex civic spaces to life.

Participants explored how mission-driven spaces support artists and makers inside the creative environment of Good Chaos.

The program opened with a moderated panel examining the relationships between institutions and artists, the conditions that enable making, and the role of craft in shaping contemporary design culture.

The experience concluded with phased, small-group tours through the space, offering a closer view into the artisans’ work and process. Light bites and pastries were served.

Participants went behind the curtain at one of Chicago’s most celebrated cultural institutions. This intimate experience offered rare access to the creative disciplines that bring stories to life on stage—from set construction and costume design to lighting and spatial storytelling.

The program began with a moderated panel featuring members of the design and production team, followed by a guided backstage tour. 

Participants explored how land, cultivation, and material experimentation inform contemporary design practice. Led by Urban Growers Collective CEO Erika Allen, this immersive workshop introduced participants to plant-based pigments and pattern-making using materials sourced directly from the farm.

Through a guided site tour, conversation, and hands-on demonstration, attendees learned how plants traditionally grown for food can also become expressive design materials. The session highlighted how natural pigments connect agriculture, sustainability, and material innovation—offering designers new ways to think about sourcing, process, and the life cycle of materials used in the built environment.