Chinese American Service League Kam Liu Center

Photo: Greg Murphey

Location
Chicago, IL

Status
Completed 2004

Client
Chinese American Service League

Type
Civic, Office

Size
38,300 sf

Tags

The Chinese American Service League’s Kam Liu Center provides a welcoming, familiar space for Chinese immigrants arriving in Chicago.

The Center houses fourteen distinct community programs, including classrooms, gardens, child and senior care, a family drop-in center, counseling offices, and a chef training facility. 

The design features controllable natural day-lighting and ventilation that make the center a comfortable place in which to work and learn. The plan is organized to maximize the intergenerational contact characteristic of the Chicago Chinese community. In the double-height community room, flexibly designed spaces accommodate activities for young and old, encouraging interaction, communication, and collaboration.

Photo: Greg Murphey

Architectural details utilize a Chinese palette of color, pattern, and symbols. Photo: Greg Murphey.

Photo: Greg Murphey

Photo: Greg Murphey

Photo: Greg Murphey

Photo: Greg Murphey

Awards

Award for Architectural Excellence, 3rd Place, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, 2005

Citation of Merit, Distinguished Building Award, Design Excellence Awards, AIA Chicago, 2004

Best of Institutional Award, Midwest Construction Magazine, 2004

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