When I'm not on the hunt for houses, I'm on the hunt for architectural commissions. An unexpected business trip took me to Chicago this week. Downside? I didn't get a chance to dive into our family finances as promised last week (will attempt for next week). But the upside is I did have the opportunity to tour the revered University of Chicago campus.

A late arrival and the -20 degree polar vortex didn't leave room for downtown sightseeing. We quickly checked into the lovely Hotel Burnham.

How could you ever choose which to wear???

The following day was filled with meetings regarding a potential new commission.

The trip ended with a campus tour of The University of Chicago. I had never been to the campus and hadn't realized how eclectic and integrated within the Hyde Park neighborhood it is. Over the past decade, the University has began numerous multi-million dollar expansion projects and they don't seem to be slowing.

Studio Gang's upcoming residential building on campus

Because of the subzero temperatures, we didn't spend too much time wandering outside, but we did get to check out the inside of Tod Williams + Billie Tsien's Logan Center and Helmut Jahn's Mansueto Library.