"Dignity starts with the way someone opens the front door." - Juan Gabriel Moreno, President & Founder, JGMA

On 12 November 2019, as part of its 2020 event season, the Chicago Chapter of the CTBUH hosted a presentation and discussion with local architect Juan Gabriel Moreno, President & Founder, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA). Moreno spoke to the attendees gathered at the Chicago Architecture Center about the JGMA portfolio and how adaptive reuse and historic revitalization projects can support urban communities.

The program opened with remarks from the Chicago Chapter of the CTBUH. Chapter Chair Shelley Finnigan, Global Technical Sales Engineer, Head of Technical Sales & Marketing, ArcelorMittal, provided an overview of the CTBUH and announced the Chapter’s call for program proposals. Following her, Chapter Programs Manager Kate Peavler, Marketing Manager, CannonDesign, introduced the evening’s speaker, Juan Gabriel Moreno (Finnigan and Peavler pictured below).

Moreno proceeded to detail many of JGMA’s projects from the last 10 years, each one containing a story that highlights a crucial aspect of dignified design for its community members. He discussed education projects, community centers, and even a convenience store. One such example was the KLEO Art Residences, located in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood. The mixed-use project connects public transit to the west with Washington Park to the east, and the University of Chicago campus on the lakeshore. The space will feature affordable housing units, studios with retail spaces for the artists in residence, and community activity spaces to give residents a safe space to gather. Moreno detailed the impact that lighting can have in these smaller-scale community projects, discussing how the translucent façade allows KLEO Art Residences to act as a “beacon,” radiating hope and pride throughout the community.

Following his presentation, Moreno participated in a Q&A session (pictured below) where he further detailed how engagement with the local community and creating dignified spaces are essential components to building and revitalizing cities. The evening concluded with networking among the attendees. Below, Moreno is pictured with CTBUH Chicago Chapter Vice-Chair Brian McElhatten, Associate Principal, Arup; Finnigan, and Peavler.