Chicago is often recognized as the international capital of modern architecture. The city is rich with historical landmarks that track the ascent of contemporary building practices. To wander around Chicago, taking in the sights, is to tour the evolution of modern architecture as we know it today. From high rise towers in the Loop to inspired suburban homes, contemporary Chicago real estate is appealing and distinguished.

A nice view of the city’s skyline:

And three examples of Chicago modern homes:

Highland Park

Barrington

Northbrook

Chicago Mag recently ran an article that listed 10 of the city’s modern architectural marvels. Terrific, staggering work is found on these pages, and the architects that built them–Gehry, Booth Hanson, Murphy/Jahn–get ample coverage and praise.

Chicago has always been a building city. It looks like that tradition will be served in this century as well. But as space grows sparse and costs and restrictions hamper architects and builders, the conception-to-construction challenges of the 21st century are considerable. Couple that with ever evolving modern Chicago homes, and you get  a city steep in possibility.

Still, the architects and work featured in Chicago Mag display verve, capability and perseverance. Our favorite this week is the Contemporaine, completed in 2004 by Perkins + Will architects, with Ralph Johnson serving as Design Principal.

Here’s a sample from the Chicago Mag article:

When Johnson talks about architecture, it’s evident that he has been fighting the good fight for modernism a long time, even when, as he says, “everyone wanted postmodernism.” His Contemporaine’s unadorned concrete—the material otherwise responsible for many hasty disasters—was carefully poured and modeled as if for a work of sculpture. The apartments it houses, which are enclosed in glass, fit together, as Johnson describes it, “as a Rubik’s cube.”

Visit Chicago Mag to view the enitre list. And check out more work from Perkins+Will on their website.