The Society of Architectural Historians and the Cliff Dwellers, in co-sponsorship with the Friends of Downtown and the Chicago Chapter of the AIA, are pleased to present another in their series of architectural events on Thursday August 8, 2019: Patricia Saldana Natke presents “Twenty-Five Years of Urban Works: IMPACT”.
Chicago native Patricia Saldana Natke, FAIA, was one of the founders of UrbanWorks 25 years ago. In that quarter century, the firm’s work has been widely acclaimed for its consistent approach to community-based design and planning— transforming neighborhoods throughout the United States through visionary design.
Growing up in Back-of-the-Yards, Natke was part of a vibrant community that didn’t participate in the same design discussions that drove development in other parts of Chicago. Natke will discuss the firm’s history and unique approach through a variety of transformational community projects which have positively impacted the future of neighborhoods,
Patricia Saldaña Natke is President and Design Principal of UrbanWorks Ltd, an award winning architecture, planning, and interior design firm in Chicago. Pat is responsible for the visionary design direction of the firm. UrbanWorks Ltd has won over forty design and planning awards Pat has a passion for cities, neighborhoods, and especially the most vulnerable sections of cities and their population. She is a firm believer that well designed spaces and places galvanize urban transformation.
Pat has served as an Adjunct Professor at the UIC Graduate School of Architecture, Facilitator at Archeworks, Part Time Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology School of Architecture for the Advanced Design Studios, and a Thesis Advisor for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Pat is a Board member of AIA Chicago, previously chaired the National AIA Diversity Committee, and was a past President of Chicago Women in Architecture. Pat’s extraordinary record of public service imbues her firm with a strong civic design ethic.
Additional Info:
Cocktails: Cash bar opens at 4:30 p.m.
Free Program: Begins 6:15 p.m.
Dinner: Available after the program, a la carte.
Reservations for dinner are requested: reservations@cliff-chicago.org or call 312-922-8080. Discount parking is available after 4:00 at the garage located at 17 E. Adams – enter on Adams between Wabash and State. Ask for a discount coupon at the check-in desk.
Twenty-Five Years of UrbanWorks: IMPACT
Chicago native Patricia Saldana Natke, FAIA, was one of the founders of UrbanWorks 25 years ago. In that quarter century, the firm’s work has been widely acclaimed for its consistent approach to community-based design and planning— transforming neighborhoods throughout the United States through visionary design.
Growing up in Back-of-the-Yards, Natke was part of a vibrant community that didn’t participate in the same design discussions that drove development in other parts of Chicago.
Natke will discuss the firm’s history and unique approach through a variety of transformational community projects which have positively impacted the future of neighborhoods, including:
La Casa, which provides collegiate student housing in Pilsen for first-generation higher education students from Latino families across Chicago. In seven years since its completion, residents have achieved a 100 percent graduation rate, where previously such students could expect only a third to complete college within four and a half years.
UrbanWorks has produced award-winning designs for many schools in the Chicago area. One example is the Acero Roberto Clemente/Galewood School, whose soaring exterior houses a digital sky library, provides a powerful neighborhood symbol, and is the first Chicago school to be sheathed in wood in many decades.
The recently completed POAH Trianon Lofts is the first market rate rental apartment building completed in Woodlawn in more than four decades.
UrbanWorks has collaborated on the master plans for many urban design projects, including the Cabrini-Green and Lathrop Homes plans now being implemented.
A Safe Haven Veteran Housing, completed last year in Melrose Park, provides priority housing of 35 residences for returning veterans. A related project, Roosevelt Studios, in the Douglas Park neighborhood is expected to start construction soon.
The firm produces visionary plans for various exhibits and competitions. One forms the conceptual basis for the proposed Paseo in Pilsen.
UrbanWorks has won over forty planning and architecture design awards.
Crain’s Chicago Business has named Natke one of “Five Emerging Designers”, NewCity described her as one of “50 Designers Shaping Chicago” and she was named “2015 Outstanding Woman” by Chicago’s largest Spanish media outlet, La Raza.
Natke has lectured extensively throughout the United States, including a TEDx talk at the University of Chicago on “Architecture: The New Social Agenda”. She was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2018. Her design work is currently on exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington DC.
Natke has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago Graduate School of Architecture, a Facilitator at Archeworks, and a Lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is currently a Part Time Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Natke chaired the National AIA Diversity Committee for the American Institute of Architects and is a past President of Chicago Women in Architecture and the Illinois Sao Paulo, Brazil Partners of the Americas Chapter. She is a member of CWA, ALA, Arquitectos, HACIA, American Institute of Architects, and the Concordia Place Advisory Council. Natke is the current 2018/2019 Chair of the AIA Chicago Chapter Equity Roundtable. Her extraordinary record of public service imbues her firm with a strong civic ethic.
Natke will discuss UrbanWorks’ projects, and take audience questions following the presentation.
