The Poetry Foundation is a Chicago-based, non-profit organization that aims to promote poetry in today’s culture through hosting seminars, readings, exhibitions and provides several awards for poets and their work. The Poetry Foundation’s new public building in Chicago encompasses all of these aspects offering an exhibition gallery, library space, performance space, and a garden area.

The building was designed with efficient lighting and controls and an efficient cost effective HVAC system with energy recovery. Additionally, the project utilizes radiant floor heating at the perimeter spaces and a snowmelt heating system for the outdoor garden area. The challenging part of the project was the acoustical requirements for the different spaces, which required some creative coordination among Mechanical, Acoustical, and Architectural trades.

At the AIA Design Excellence Awards in 2012, this project was awarded an Honor Award for Distinguished Building and Interior Architecture as well as the Divine Detail Award.