Completed 2024

Designed and Fabricated by Building Brown Workshop in collaboration with Cooperation Racine for the Street Vendors Association of Chicago and the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival

Design Team: Andrés Lemus-Spont, Airyanna Eason, Asia Zanders, and Mikaela Ewing

Select photography by Brian Griffin, Robert Granoff

This sukkah design embodies the vibrant spirit of the African-American and Latine cultures in North Lawndale and nearby La Villita, serving as a dynamic space for community meals and celebrations. With an emphasis on connection, the parasol-like structure will be adorned with colorful community murals and handcrafted textiles that reflect the rich histories of its participants. By incorporating a table structure as an integral design component, the sukkah builds relationships by inviting diverse publics to break bread together. The stepped platforms provide multiple opportunities for rest and participation, encouraging communal meals, storytelling, dialogue, and cultural exchange. The colorful canopy contributes to a playground-like feel, welcoming youth and community members of all ages to reconnect with their identity and celebrate cultural heritage.