Metropolis Digital Optimism Talks logo

Join us every second Tuesday of the month for a dose of optimism with thought-provoking guests who are revolutionizing their fields. Innovators will lead virtual workshops for an hour of discovery, inspiration, and community. Led by editor in chief, Avinash Rajagopal, these workshops will be guided by our audience, where questions are not only welcome but encouraged.

Register Now
natural habitat cold spring home exterior

Metropolis Editors, Natural Habitat, sustainability, sustainable architecture

METROPOLIS Introduces Natural Habitat, a Sustainable Homes Video Series

The series debuts with a tour of a tranquil upstate New York retreat designed with Passive House principles.

Read more

carol ross barney (19)

  • Profiles

    Carol Ross Barney On the Design Lesson in an Elephant's Skull 

    … in preserving historically significant buildings isn’t in giving them a second life—it’s preparing them for later reincarnations.

  • Projects

    Carol Ross Barney is Chicago’s New Daniel Burnham

    … citizenry. Says Ellis, “That can manifest itself at the ballot box, through spending, through volunteerism, through support for stronger environmental standards.” And that is likely to be Ross Barney’s greatest legacy. “She’s a genius,” says Frisbie. “She brings people with her, which I think is a reflection of Burnham.” Carol Ross Barney is …

  • Projects

    Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo Raises Expectations for Public Space

    … manufacturer is one of several groups drawing on breakthrough research, tools, and sourcing systems to change building-material reuse.Products10 Architecture and Design Books Worth Adding to Your Reading ListMETROPOLIS rounds up the best new books on architecture, urbanism, design, and sustainability. Projects3 Adaptive Reuse Projects Prioritize Flexibility for the FutureThe bigger challenge in …

  • Viewpoints

    Deep Green Returns for Summer Season

    … s Summer Season explores designing for the public good. Deep Green Renowned architect and Chicagoan Carol Ross Barney joins host Avi Rajagopal for our Summer Season premier. Ross Barney is a visionary about how people live their lives in cities—whether it's through public, hospitality, or education spaces. Chicagoans know Ross Barney best for …

  • Viewpoints

    Deep Green Returns for Season 3

    … s Summer Season explores designing for the public good. Deep Green Renowned architect and Chicagoan Carol Ross Barney joins host Avi Rajagopal for our Summer Season premier. Ross Barney is a visionary about how people live their lives in cities—whether it's through public, hospitality, or education spaces. Chicagoans know Ross Barney best for …

  • Projects

    Railyard Park Signifies a Small-Town Renaissance in Northwest Arkansas

    … the Walton Family Foundation’s (WFF) Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program. Courtesy Kate Joyce Studios  A couple of summers ago, three members of the Chicago-based firm Ross Barney Architects, including founder Carol Ross Barney, set up some chairs, a tent, and a table at the Rogers, Arkansas, farmers market. Tasked with designing a new …

  • Viewpoints

    15 Buildings That Embody Chicago's Postmodern Moment

    … environment that would be good for kids.” —Avinash Rajagopal The bands of colorfully glazed brick on the walls of the César Chávez Multicultural Academy were a device that the architect Carol Ross Barney had successfully tried in a previous project, but she found that it also resonated here with the Mexican-American community. Helmut …

  • Viewpoints

    10 Architects Talk About Their Thanksgiving Plans

    … I just, in the end, sort of let things go where they want to go. Richard Dattner—Principal, Dattner Architects  Family, turkey, giving thanks. Lovely, not notable. Carol Ross Barney—Design Principal, Ross Barney Architects  I love Thanksgiving. I love it because it is sweet and to the point…unlike Christmas and, actually, some of …

  • Profiles

    Once Unfashionable, John Portman Is Being Seen in a New Light

    … an incredible belief in the future, that everything is going to be better, everything is going to be bigger, and everything is going to be spectacular. I hope that America produces more architects that represent it in the way that Portman did.” You may also enjoy "Carol Ross Barney is Chicago’s New Daniel Burnham."

  • Programs

    Washington D.C.'s Riverfront Holds Vast Untapped Development Potential

    … more resilient both the people and the places will be. The Think Tank discussions in Washington, D.C., were held December 6 and 7. The conversations were presented in partnership with Corian Design, Sunbrella, DXV/GROHE, Staples Business Advantage, and Shaw Contract. You may also enjoy "Carol Ross Barney is Chicago’s New Daniel Burnham."