The shoreline of Lake Michigan has always played a central role in Chicago’s urban identity. During the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, architect Daniel Burnham sought to incorporate the lake into the fairgrounds, and his 1909 Plan for Chicago proposed to reclaim the entire length of the lakefront as a place of leisure for all of the city’s inhabitants—an idea realized during the 20th century. Today, the lakefront is a celebrated and heavily used public space, a major destination for both visitors and local residents. It features over 20 miles of public parks and beaches, as well as pedestrian and cycling routes.

The Chicago Park District currently oversees more than 40 kiosks that punctuate the shoreline. During the summer, the kiosks offer food, retail, and recreational services—ranging from beverages to clothing to surf rentals. 

As part of a broader initiative to enhance the lakefront, the Chicago Architecture Biennial unveiled four designs for new kiosks. One kiosk was selected through an international competition, while the other three were designed through collaborations between local architecture schools and internationally renowned architects.

Chicago Horizon, the Lakefront Kiosk Competition winner, is located near the Shedd Aquarium on Museum Campus. Two of the School Kiosks designs were on display in Millennium Park on the Chase Promenade: one full-scale design, produced in collaboration with the UIC School of Architecture, and one conceptual installation, produced in collaboration with SAIC. A model of a third kiosk, designed in collaboration with the IIT College of Architecture, was displayed in the Chicago Cultural Center, with an additional design installation on the IIT campus.