Chicago Library Design Competition Collection

In 1987, Chicago conducted a juried competition to select an architect/developer/builder team for its new central public library building. The innovative competition program required a complete package from the entrants: a well-developed design from the architect, a construction schedule from the contractor with lists of subcontractors, and a guaranteed final construction cost from the developer. This collection, assembled by one of the jurors, documents the design submissions from the finalists. The architectural firms included Hammond Beeby and Babka; Eisenman Robertson; Arthur Erickson; Lohan Associates; Murphy/Jahn; and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill/Legoretta. The collection also includes the competition program, all finalists’ statements of qualifications, technical reviews of qualifications, project descriptions, and final design/build proposals. View finding aid. Collection access:Collections may be accessed in the Franke Reading Room of the Research Center at The Art Institute of Chicago, by appointment only. For further information, consult the FAQ. Finding aids by subjectBrowse all finding aidsBrowse images and mediaOral histories Contact the Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives:archives@artic.edu