Tonight - One Night Only! at Schubas: Burnham Smackdown!

Yes. I know this is a shameless plug for an event I'm moderating, but there's a great panel, and beer - what more can anyone ask? It's tonight, November 4, 7:00 p.m., upstairs at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport at Belmont, a former tied house. Suggested information $5.00. Register on-line or take your chances.

And what is it?

Using the 1909 Plan of Chicago by Burnham and Bennett as a jumping-off point, a panel of local architects, landscape architects, and planners will take YOUR QUESTIONS about the future design of our city in this lively, fast-paced discussion,

Urban Habitat Chicago has assembled an amazing panel, pictured above, bios below:

Richard Avery, Architect, ALA, Principal, Hampton Avery Architects
Richard Avery is a Principal at Hampton Avery Architects in Chicago. The firm focuses on developing ideas, concepts, and design solutions at both the scale of the city and the house, to realize the opportunities for a better life presented by transitioning to a built environment that uses less energy and resources. Recent awards include the 2009 Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, and an honorable mention in the "Flip-a-strip" design competition.

Nicholas Petty, MLA, Project Manager, Urban Habitat Chicago
Nick addressed vertical gardening technologies in urban locations in his master's thesis from the School of Environment and Design at the University of Georgia, and has since emerged as one of the leading experts on the subject. Winner of the UHC Achievement Award for Outstanding Service on the Joy Garden at Northside Preparatory High School, he is also responsible for design of the Sunlight of the Spirit Garden.

Rashmi Ramaswamy, LEED AP, AIA, Architect, SHED Studio
Rashmi has been working as an architect in Chicago for 14 years, and has a strong personal interest in public housing and environmental issues. She has served multiple not-for-profit clients, in projects including a campus for at-risk teen youth, a transitional shelter for women, HUD 202 senior housing and a daycare facility. She also serves on the boards of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Faith in Place and ReBuilding Exchange, and is a member of USGBC, Chicago Chapter Programs Committee.

Mike Newman, AIA, Architect, SHED Studio
Mike has been an architect in Chicago for 16 years, and worked previously in Boston and Philadelphia. His work has focused on design innovation for sustainability and affordability in housing, and social justice projects, such as Tryon Farm in Michigan City, Indiana. He has also participated in community built projects with Madhousers, Habitat for Humanity, and Tryon. Mike has taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, School of the Art Institute, and Archeworks.

Lesley Roth, AIA, LEED AP, Architect.
In her 10 year career, Lesley has been responsible for project management, project design and direction and client contact on architecture and planning projects. Her professional training and practice include both domestic and international experience with an emphasis on liveable communities and sustainable design.

Zoka Zola, Architect, AIA, RIBA, LEED AP,
Principal, Zoka Zola Architecture + Urban Design
Zola has received the UK's Young Architect of the Year Award, was awarded a Home of the Year Award by Architecture Magazine, and has taught at the Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, the Architectural Association in London, and The School of the Art Institute Chicago. Zola's work avoids "singularity" - whether in the design of a zero-energy single-family residence, green stock plans for 21st Century Chicago, the design of an open-source website, or affordable housing in Croatia.

Samuel Assefa, formerly of the Dept. of Planning and Development, City of Chicago
Assefa has served as Director of Land Use + Planning Policy for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, where he helped oversee implementation of green planning and urban design policies. He also taught architecture at the California College of Arts, and has designed and implemented sustainable land use policies in various cities. As the senior urban designer for the City of San Francisco's Planning Department, he developed and directed land use policies for high-density, transit-oriented developments, industrial area design guidelines, and guidelines for high-rise mixed-use developments for San Francisco's downtown.

More info on-line. It should be a great evening, fun, invigorating and educational. And did I mention the beer?