Kwong Von Glinow
Chicago, United States
Kwong Von Glinow is an architecture practice founded in 2017 by Lap Chi Kwong and Alison Von Glinow. The studio transforms familiar elements into innovative yet accessible designs, spanning homes, cultural spaces, workplaces, and public environments. Notable works include a rooftop gallery for a Chicago greystone, a landmark renovation in Highland Park, and a masterplan for the Chinese American Service League in Bridgeport. Their practice has earned recognition from the Rice Design Alliance, the Architectural League Prize, and the Graham Foundation, as well as multiple AIA awards. Their work combines conceptual ambition with broad public relevance.
2025 Biennial Project
Project Overview
Forget-Me-Not Pavilion
This project gives new life to the Chicago Horizon Pavilion, a temporary structure originally built in 2015 for the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial. A decade later, it is being carefully repaired and reimagined to preserve its original design while adding new purposes and experiences. Commissioned by the 2025 Biennial and Harvard Design Magazine for an upcoming issue on “Repair and Reuse,” the renovation explores how architecture can adapt and endure over time. The pavilion’s refreshed design invites visitors to see it in a new light—literally—through elements that transform the space and extend its role as a gathering place for the city.
Previous work
Project Overview
Venue
View moreChicago Cultural Center
Address
78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
Neighborhood
The Loop
Description
Completed in 1897 as Chicago’s first central library, the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center, the nation’s first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue, in 1991. One of the most visited attractions in Chicago, the stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free art exhibitions, performances, tours, lectures, family activities, music, and more – presented by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and many others.
