For new Chinese immigrants arriving in Chicago, the Kam Liu Community Center may provide their first encounter with a public building. For this reason, the design is intended to impart a sense of familiarity and welcoming. Details such as the lattice sunscreen utilize a Chinese palette of color and pattern. 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 inter-generational contact; a characteristic of the Chinese community. In the double height community room, flexibility is designed in the spaces and activities for the young and old are accomodated and scheduled to overlap.

Fourteen distinct community programs are accomodated including child and adult day care, senior gardens, classrooms, family drop-in center, counseling offices and a chef training facility.

Architect: STUDIO GANG O'DONNELL
Owner: Chinese American Service League
Completed: March 2004

AWARDS:
2005 Richard H Driehaus Award
2004 Citation of Merit; AIA Chicago
Best of 2004, Institutional; Midwest Construction Magazine

PUBLISHED:
2004 May, Architectural Record
2004 July, Midwest Construction Magazine
2004 July, Chicago Tribune
2003 Dec, Architectural Record