LBBA has had the pleasure of hosting two 4th-year Virginia Tech architecture students for a semester, Archie Khanduja and Alex Rogers, as part of the Fall 2026 Chicago Studio!

In collaboration with the Chicago Department of Planning, the student teams developed project proposals for a site in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood. Their designs center on multigenerational affordable housing with senior living, along with shared community spaces such as a makerspace, cafe, and health and wellness areas. The teams presented their final project at Von Weise Associates’ studio last week.

Archie and Alex's project proposal drew inspiration from Chicago’s railroad transportation system and its past and present-day significance to the site. Historically, transportation infrastructure has acted as a dividing line, reinforcing racial and socioeconomic segregation. Using three main architectural strategies—massing, an open courtyard, and circulation—their project aims to challenge this narrative by using transportation as a means of connection rather than separation, bringing together the people who built the system and the people who use it today.

For the rest of the month, Archie and Alex will be joining a project here at LBBA, gaining hands-on firm experience while bringing our team a fresh perspective.

Thank you to Chip von Weise and everyone at Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Virginia Tech College of Architecture, Arts, and Design for making this partnership possible!