Concrete Culture: Chicago and Beyond (What We Are Doing)

The conference situates Chicago’s concrete legacy within global conversations, drawing together architects, engineers, historians, preservationists, and artists to examine how this material continues to shape spatial experiences and urban narratives. Structured around three themes—"What We Have,” “What We Are Doing,” and “What We Might Do”—the program moves from history to present practice to future possibilities, fostering dialogue on concrete’s past inheritances, contemporary uses, and speculative potentials. Day 2, Session 2: “What We Are Doing” Focusing on current practices, this panel highlights contemporary innovations, preservation, ongoing design explorations, and pressing challenges. Speakers address what's at stake in using concrete or modifying concrete structures today. Moderated by Judith De Jong (Associate Professor of Architecture, UIC). Panelists: Martin Corullon (Principal Metro Arquitetos, São Paulo), Julie Larsen (Associate Professor and Graduate Chair, Syracuse Architecture), Patricia Llosa (Principal, Llosa Cortegana Arquitectos, Lima), Bob Score (Senior Project Architect Harboe Architects, Chicago). “Concrete Culture: Chicago and Beyond,” organized by Stewart Hicks, Judith De Jong, and Daniela Osorio Sanudo, was an international conference held on October 3-4, 2025, that explored the cultural, ecological, and architectural significance of concrete. For more information, visit https://concreteculture.uic.edu Video produced by Truth & Documentary (https://truthanddocumentary.org)