Ten Modern Masterpieces

Call them the best of the 21st century if you'd like. These innovative new buildings illustrate Chicago's enduring power to attract great design.

The heyday of Chicago architecture is back. Eager to cheer it on, Chicago magazine has selected ten masterpieces that illustrate why we are, once again, a global epicenter of architecture. As a companion project, Chicago commissioned a survey from the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (for results, see What the Pros Said).

Collectively, these ten buildings provide a glimpse of the "Chicago effect," or the creative power long in residence here. And they exhibit a need-a moral conviction, even-that form ever follows function and that the best architecture is that which draws the straightest line (or the cleanest curve) between what a building does and how it looks.

What do you think? Pick-and pan-recent additions to our skyline. Results will appear in a future issue of the magazine.

 
Photography: Nathan Kirkman