Studio Sean Canty
Boston, United States
Sean Canty is an assistant professor of Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the founder of Studio Sean Canty, established in 2017. His practice introduces novel geometries and materials to enrich everyday spaces across residential, cultural, and public programs. His design approach is rooted in formal exploration, engaging contemporary typological and social questions with precision and openness. Canty’s work has been published in PIN-UP, MAS Context, Harvard Design Magazine, and Domus, and exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and A83 Gallery, New York. He has lectured at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, UC Berkeley, and the University of Johannesburg. He holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard GSD and a Bachelor of Architecture from the California College of the Arts.
2025 Biennial Project
Project Overview
Regal Reverb
This installation serves as the Speakers Corner for the Chicago Architecture Biennial—a space for talks, performances, and gathering. Its design draws inspiration from the former Regal Theater in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, a major hub of Black culture and music in the 20th century.
Instead of recreating the theater, the structure uses curved shapes, arches, and gold-toned surfaces to echo its spirit. Arranged in a loose semi-circle, the forms suggest a stage while remaining open and flexible for different types of public use. It honors the legacy of the Regal Theater—not through nostalgia, but by creating a place that supports community, creativity, and shared experience.
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.
