Enter the Open House Chicago Photo Contest

This October 18–19, the much-anticipated Open House Chicago (OHC) 2025 weekend returns, and it’s offering a special invitation to residents: bring your camera (or phone) and help tell the story of your neighborhood through the citywide lens.

The Chicago Architecture Center is once again pairing OHC with a photo competition. Whether you’re a longtime photographer or snapping shots on your phone, the competition is open to all.

Here’s what to know:

• Photos must be taken during the Open House weekend (October 18 or 19, 2025) at official OHC sites.
• You may submit up to five photographs total, across the five categories: Interior, Exterior, Detail, Black & White, and People & Buildings (a new addition this year).
• The CAC curatorial team will choose photos for display in a later exhibition at the Chicago Architecture Center. Then a jury of professional photographers will pick winners and honorable mentions in each category.
• Winners receive a complimentary annual CAC membership.
• Deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 26.

West Siders, this is your chance to document the architecture, history, life, details, and spirit of your neighborhoods, and have your voice (and images) represented in a citywide exhibition.

This year, Starling by Duo/., the first commercial building to open on 16th Street in North Lawndale in over 70 years, has been selected as one of the four “Neighborhood Headquarters” for OHC 2025 — along with the Chicago Architecture Center downtown, Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport, and KOVAL Distillery Ravenswood.

During the Open House weekend, the Starling by Duo location in North Lawndale will serve as a hub with restrooms, free Wi-Fi, Chicago Architecture Center staff and volunteers, and informational support for visitors exploring West Side sites.

West Side Sites to Watch

AUSTIN

• Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation | 5500 W. Madison St. | Built on the site of the former Emmet Elementary School, this new workforce center preserves architectural elements of the original school. 
• Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School | 5088 W. Jackson Blvd. | A modern educational facility with strong community ties and striking design.
• Fraternité Notre Dame | 502 N. Central Ave. | A French Roman Catholic religious order known for its charitable work and ornate chapel. 
• Assumption Greek Orthodox Church | 601 S. Central Ave. | This domed church features beautiful iconography and Byzantine design.
• Third Unitarian Church | 301 N. Mayfield Ave. | A progressive faith community in a Mid-Century Modern building. 
• Austin Community Family Center | 501 N. Central Ave. | A local resource hub housed in a classic Chicago-style institutional building.
• Austin Harvest (By The Hand Club For Kids) | 423 N. Laramie Ave. | A youth-led, community-focused open-air market promoting healthy eating and entrepreneurship.
• BUILD, Inc. Headquarters | 5100 W. Harrison St. | A youth-focused nonprofit in a newly expanded campus with community-first design.

NORTH LAWNDALE

• Starling by Duo (the Neighborhood HQ) | 3243 W 16th St. | A first-of-its-kind neighborhood amenity, Starling by Duo/. is the first commercial building to open on 16th Street in North Lawndale in over 70 years. The building houses Monday Coffee, a café open to the public, and is also available to rent by the hour for people to host programming and events.
• Central Park Theater | 3535 W. Roosevelt Rd. | A former movie palace with a rich legacy in Lawndale’s Jewish and African-American communities.
• Farm on Ogden | 3555 W. Ogden Ave. | A lush urban agriculture center promoting food access and health education.
• Legacy Charter School | 3312 W. Douglas Blvd. | A bright, modern school with an emphasis on college readiness and community.
• Stove Temple Baptist Church | 2947 W. Roosevelt Rd. | A historic house of worship that reflects the neighborhood’s spiritual life.
• Nicholas Tower at Homan Square | 3517 W. Arthington St. | A reimagined former police facility now used for housing and community development.
• The Soul Food Lounge | 3804 W. 16th St. | A local culinary destination celebrating Black food traditions and innovation.
• North Lawndale Pop-Up Spot | 3601 W. Douglas Blvd. | A rotating cultural space celebrating Lawndale’s history through art and exhibits.
• Beelove Café / North Lawndale Employment Network | 1111 S. Homan Ave. | A café with a mission—supporting workforce re-entry through job training and hospitality. 

GARFIELD PARK

• Revolution Workshop | 3410 W. Lake St. | A social enterprise that trains people for skilled trades inside a renovated industrial space.
• 345 Art Gallery | 345 N. Kedzie Ave. | A creative hub for local artists with rotating exhibitions and community events.
• Herban Produce | 2900 W. Van Buren St. | A sustainable farm and community space offering fresh produce and education.
• Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica & National Shrine | 3121 W. Jackson Blvd.| One of only three basilicas in Illinois—known for its grand baroque architecture.