AIA Chicago proudly announces the esteemed architect Cynthia Weese, FAIA, principal of Weese Langley Weese Architects, as the distinguished recipient of the 2023 AIA Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award. The ceremony, celebrating Weese’s remarkable five-decade journey, is slated to grace the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago’s iconic Millennium Park on September 28, 2023.
© Chicago Women in Architecture
Cynthia Weese’s Iconic Journey
Cynthia Weese’s legacy is indelibly marked by her unwavering commitment to gender equity within the architectural realm. As a founding member of the groundbreaking Chicago Women in Architecture (CWA) in 1974, she laid the foundation for transformational change. Recognizing the glaring absence of women architects in pivotal architectural exhibitions of the era, Weese spearheaded the revolutionary exhibit “Chicago Women Architects: Contemporary Directions.” This landmark initiative, organized under the auspices of CWA and supported by the Graham Foundation, challenged the status quo and championed women’s contributions.
Mindy Viamontes, 2023 AIA Chicago President, lauds Weese as ” A trailblazer for women in the field of architecture. Her enduring influence promises to inspire generations of female leaders to come, setting an enduring standard of excellence.”
Math/Statistics Building, University of Chicago. © University of Chicago Facilities Services
Beyond her pioneering work in gender parity, Weese emerges as an advocate for cutting-edge design across diverse domains. Her dedication to innovative solutions in affordable housing, adaptive reuse, and educational facilities, coupled with her visionary insights in academia, signifies her multifaceted impact. The roots of her passion trace back to her formative years in Iowa, where iconic architectural marvels like Eliel Saarinen’s Art Center and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Johnson Wax Research Tower kindled her fascination. Even her childhood home in Des Moines nurtured her architectural aspirations.
Eliel Saarinen’s Art Center. © Pete Sieger, Behance
Cynthia Weese’s educational journey led her to attain a B.S. in Architectural Sciences and a B.Arch from Washington University in St. Louis. Her ascent within Chicago’s architectural landscape was meteoric, marked by her inclusion in the Chicago Seven—a collective that challenged prevailing mid-century modernist norms through groundbreaking designs and exhibitions. Her trailblazing journey culminated in her role as the first female dean of the School of Architecture at Washington University, serving from 1993 to 2005.
In 1977, Weese’s innovative spirit found expression in the establishment of Weese Langley Weese Architects. Her studio quickly earned acclaim for its imaginative designs spanning adaptive reuse, affordable housing, academic towers, and museum galleries. Notable triumphs within her portfolio include Northwestern University’s Harris Hall and the Gallery House, an artistic haven in Empire, Michigan.
© Chicago Women in Architecture
The AIA Chicago Board of Directors proudly bestows the Lifetime Achievement Award upon Cynthia Weese, acknowledging her as “a true pioneer and vanguard for the profession, city, and women architects.” Her extensive portfolio, enriched by experiences and dedicated fervor, epitomizes exceptional leadership. Weese’s steadfast advocacy for women within the professions remains a constant source of inspiration, encouraging younger generations to forge their paths in architecture. On the eve of this prestigious accolade, Cynthia Weese’s luminous legacy shines as a testament to her transformative impact.