Kenwood Line

The Kenwood branch was a rapid transit line that was part of the Chicago “L” system from 1907 to 1957, served the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago, and consisted of six elevated stations. Trains have not traversed this railway in decades, but its stations (now sealed) and embankments remain. This vestigial infrastructure has been left to sit, its station platforms overtaken by urban forest, and its concrete embankments serving as canvases for local mural artists. This studio challenged College of Architecture students to reimagine how the existing infrastructure can be utilized and enhanced to create new community spaces and transportation for Kenwood’s residents.