Every October, the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is proud to host Open House Chicago 2025—a free public festival that instills civic pride by providing access to places of architectural, historical, and cultural significance. OHC highlights the businesses and creative leaders making a positive impact in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. To celebrate this year’s impact, we are offering limited-edition souvenirs that are as sustainable as they are iconic: upcycled Open House Chicago banners.
Upcycling the Festival: From Street to Stitch
At the heart of our mission is the belief that design matters—and that includes how we handle our waste. For Open House Chicago 2025, we have moved beyond traditional merchandise. Instead of letting the vibrant banners that mark our festival locations head to a landfill, we have reclaimed them to create one-of-a-kind zipper pouches.
Each pouch is handcrafted from the heavy-duty vinyl used during the event. Because the patterns are cut directly from the 2025 campaign materials, no two pouches are identical. When you purchase one, you are owning a unique, colorful fragment of Chicago’s architectural history.
A Souvenir with a Mission
These upcycled pouches represent a “closed-loop” approach to the festival. By repurposing our marketing materials, we are reducing our environmental footprint while giving our community a way to carry the spirit of OHC year-round.
Proceeds from the CAC’s retail shop support our educational mission to inspire people to discover why design matters. When you choose an upcycled pouch, you are:
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Keeping vinyl waste out of local landfills.
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Supporting the next generation of architects and designers.
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Funding free public access to Chicago’s most significant sites.
Shop the Collection
Our Open House Chicago 2025 upcycled pouches are available in limited quantities. Once the banners from this year’s festival are gone, the collection is closed. Visit the CAC Design Store or shop online to find your unique piece of the city. You can shop it here.
Do you want to have a free mockup for your old banners or billboard? Indeed, you can starts sustainability projects here and make a difference.
Start a project or request your free mock-up today.
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