The CAC celebrates Chicago's unique architecture and urban design with exhibitions, tours, and educational programs. As a leading cultural institution, their exhibitions aim to engage the public in important issues shaping the built environment.

Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtowns examines the challenges and opportunities facing urban cores like Chicago's Loop in the post-pandemic era. Organized around the themes of residing, renewing, reconnecting, and rewilding downtowns, the show featured case studies, architectural follies, and interactive elements designed to spark dialogue.

Span collaborated closely with the CAC and exhibition designers Could Be Architecture to create a cohesive graphic identity. We developed all printed exhibition graphics including interpretive panels, infographics, environmental graphics and a bold typographic approach pairing the Art Deco-inspired Bifur font with the modern geometric Futura-based The Future.

The exhibition's branded graphics helped tie together diverse content while the distinct typographic treatment gave it a strong, recognizable presence. Thoughtful design amplified the show's key themes and created an engaging, participatory experience inviting visitors to envision the future of urban centers.