Kelly Bair

Kelly Bair is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. She is a practicing architect and educator with significant contributions to both academic and professional realms of architecture.

Kelly Bair holds a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado Boulder. These educational credentials form the foundation of her architectural expertise.

Her research and design practice focuses on architectural design, urban design, and speculative architecture. Bair's work consistently challenges conventional architectural typologies and explores innovative relationships between private and public spaces. She demonstrates particular interest in creating designs that respond to social needs and foster community interaction, as evidenced by projects like the Berwyn Collective retail incubator and BE KIDS CAFÉ & PLAYSPACE.

Bair's professional work has gained international recognition through exhibitions at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale and various prestigious institutions across the United States. She is also co-author of the book 'Possible Mediums' (Actar, 2018), reflecting her commitment to innovation in architectural education.

As Associate Director of Graduate Studies at UIC, Kelly Bair plays a significant leadership role in architectural education. Her dual commitment to academic instruction and professional practice provides valuable perspective for students and colleagues alike.

Kelly Bair has led numerous design projects including Berwyn Shops & Berwyn Collective (2022-2023), Writer's Block (2021), BE KIDS CAFÉ & PLAYSPACE (2019), LOW VOLUME (2017), PLOP: A PUBLIC POTTY (2022), STANDARD ADU+ (2022-2023), NO-MIDDLE MID-RISE (2018), and CONCORDIA DAY (2018). These projects showcase her diverse interests and approaches to architectural design and problem-solving.