Location: Belmont Cragin, Chicago, Illinois
Year: 2021
Size: 10,000 sq ft
Status: Completed 2025
Category: Office, Renovation
Services: Architecture, Interiors
The Northwest Center is a transformational 5,850 sf building addition and renovation to an existing 4,500 SF single-story building in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood, creating new office and gathering spaces to support the shared mission of the Northwest Center and the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation of preserving affordable housing, preventing displacement, and supporting local businesses. The design preserves the existing building while adopting a more sustainable approach, expanding upward from the existing footprint to create a new architectural beacon for the community. The new addition rises perpendicular to the existing structure, reinforcing the street edge and strengthening the organization’s presence; a central, light-filled atrium with a sculptural staircase visually and physically connects the first-floor offices to the second-floor meeting and NWSCDC office space.
When Northwest Center sought to expand to include the operations of the Northwest Side CDC, our team initially explored moving into a separate building. But after careful consideration, we chose a more sustainable approach: expanding upward from the existing building footprint to create a new architectural beacon for the community. The new addition rises perpendicular to the existing structure, reinforcing the street edge and strengthening the organization’s presence. A central, light-filled atrium with a sculptural staircase visually and physically connects the first-floor offices to the second-floor meeting and NWSCDC office space. A cantilevered second-floor community gathering and conference room extends outward, creating a space that literally overlooks the community it serves, and a daily reminder of the purpose that drives both organizations.
As a reflection of the proud Mexican community in Belmont Cragin, the architectural concept of a cutout pattern, inspired by the decorative Mexican traditions of papel picado, adds depth and texture throughout the building. On the exterior, perforated metal panels filter light and create dynamic shadow play, while inside, the motif appears in the stair railing panels and space dividers, reinforcing the project's cultural resonance. Materiality and color play a vital role in defining this building’s character. The bold shades of orange and blue-gray reflect the vibrant energy of the Belmont Cragin community. These colors draw attention to the building and highlight the essential services provided by Northwest Center and Northwest Side Community Development Corporation.