Human Scale

Two weeks ago, we concluded the ACE 2026 Design Build Program in Pilsen! This partnership between ACE Mentor Chicago and Human Scale began in 2025. Through a combination of their missions, both organizations sought to provide high school students with the opportunity to design and build meaningful, beautiful and functional spaces in historically disinvested neighborhoods while encouraging them to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction.

This year, we worked with 26 students from 23 different communities to improve La Huerta Roots & Rays in Pilsen, a garden protected by the urban land trust NeighborSpace During eight design sessions, students researched the Pilsen area, visited the site, toured the neighborhood, engaged with local nonprofits and came up with design concepts for various elements of the garden. After receiving feedback from local garden leaders, students refined their concepts to put together a final masterplan. During ten construction days, students along with professional contractors built several components of the masterplan. The new garden elements include a perimeter fence, brick pathway, entrance arbor, storage shed, ice cream truck play zone, pergola, mural from Mario Mena , and modular seating and tables throughout the garden.

The grand opening occurred on July 31, 2026 with students, parents, community residents, local officials, mentors and donors in attendance.

This program is an example of the amazing things that can happen when we come together to address the same problem. A sincere thank you to the 81+ people who came together to support the program in various ways including material and labor donations, mentorship guidance, program coordination and general volunteering.

ENGLISH: Join us 5/12/26 online to brainstorm ideas for the initial activation of the space which will be built later this summer. We will share updates on the overall project timeline, review community survey results, and upcoming events.
Can’t make it?
Visit 26kostner.com to learn about the project and more upcoming events! SPANISH: Acompáñenos 5/12/26 en línea para generar ideas para la activación inicial del espacio que se construirá más adelante este verano. Compartiremos actualizaciones sobre el calendario general del proyecto, revisaremos los resultados de la encuesta comunitaria y hablaremos sobre los próximos eventos.
¿No puedes asistir?
Visita 26kostner.com para conocer más sobre el proyecto y los próximos eventos!

English: Join us as we imagine the future of 26th & Kostner together! Help us design a new public space for our community. This is a family-friendly event that invites neighbors to walk the site, share ideas, and shape a new space in Little Village. Activities will kick off at 2:00 PM and continue through 4:00 PM, stop by anytime!

Spanish: Acompáñanos a imaginar juntos el futuro de 26th y Kostner. Ayúdanos a diseñar un nuevo espacio público para nuestra comunidad. Este evento familiar invita a los vecinos a recorrer el sitio, compartir ideas y dar forma a un nuevo espacio en La Villita. Las actividades comenzarán a las 2:00 PM y continuarán hasta las 4:00 PM, puedes llegar en cualquier momento.
Learn more about the project here: www.26kostner.com

Volunteer opportunity October 4th and 11th. Dm for any questions and to let us know you are joining!
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Yesterday, we concluded our 12 week ACE Summer Design Build Program where we designed and built an outdoor structure with 30 high school students at a community garden in Englewood. The program was created and funded by and they hired with us this year to develop and manage the program. Since April, we have been working with students from all over the city to select a community client, research the site, develop design concepts, create a master plan and ultimately build the space. This spring, we selected a garden in Englewood called Libations to the Ancestors which is part of and . In the first ten weeks, we developed a master plan for the three lot garden and selected which components we were going to build with the students and donor companies. Over the course of two weeks, the students worked with tools to build 11 modular seats, 2 fixed benches and 3 compost bins. At the same time, companies donated materials and labor to build other components of the space like R Olson pouring a concrete pad for a shade structure that was built by .contracting and carpenters. was able to help us deliver components from our fabrication space at to the site at 6340 S Morgan. As you can tell, there were a lot of people that contributed to the program which added a lot of value and meaning to the project, we are thankful for their contributions. We also want to thank the instructors that ran the day by day activities of the program Alex Casimiro .the.dummy . A special shoutout to all of the ACE mentors that volunteered to help students with the project. We had mentors from the following companies: .structural

As the year comes to a close, we’re celebrating the amazing work from our Urban Gardening Design-Build class collaboration with !
This program introduced students to the world of design and architecture through hands-on activities, including a field trip to the 606 trail, creative brainstorming with collaging, and meaningful community feedback during the ASM showcase.
After weeks of learning and planning, we came together to build benches and planter beds. Together, we learned to use power tools, worked as a team, and transformed the space into a welcoming green area!
Cheers to teamwork, creativity, and a greener future in the year ahead!
Photos by 

We are pleased to invite you to the grand opening of the Anchor exhibition titled diversión on September 20th! The exhibition will take place at the pavilion structure that we designed and built over the last year. The Anchor Curatorial Residential is an 18-month project that culminates in a collaborative exhibition on park district land. Anchor engages artists and community members through a unique creative process aimed at deepening connections and building new relationships. Moving away from traditional art spaces, the residency is “anchored” by a commissioned outdoor exhibition and performance venue, designed in consultation with park staff and community. A selected Curator-in-Residence is given space, time, and resources to deepen their curatorial practices by producing a collaborative and responsive community-based exhibition, grounded in experimentation, local knowledge, and everyday experiences. This year, Carlos Flores curated the exhibition called diversión.
diversión is a curatorial intervention inviting Marquette parkgoers to reclaim public spaces as sites of diversion. The title plays on a cognate—a word that shares spelling but holds different nuances in English and Spanish. In English, “diversion” implies a redirection, a turning away from the ordinary. In Spanish, “diversión” signifies fun, a joyful escape. These layered meanings emphasize the power of public art to create spaces of play and communion, and to facilitate collective enjoyment and rest. diversión shifts focus from everyday capitalist stressors toward collective relief - opportunities to play, eat, and come together, reclaiming time and the public domain. Curated to explore how participatory projects can alleviate chronic fatigue from surveillance, historical disinvestment, and environmental racism, the exhibition aims to forge a closer relationship between public art, Marquette Park, and the area’s diverse residents.

Our cofounder, Walmer was selected to be a part of “Design 50 2024: The Fifty People Who Shape Chicago” through the work that he does with Human Scale in helping create meaningful public spaces. The online publication link is in our bio

Come out and volunteer June 8th at the YMEN site in North Lawndale. We need help cleaning the garden and painting a sukkah shed. There will be free breakfast and bike safety checks!

In collaboration with

After reviewing more than 50 applications for our Assistant Project Manager position, we are excited to welcome Alex Casimiro to our team! Below you can read more about Alex:

Alex is a first generation aspiring Hispanic professional that dedicated his time to serve his community during his high school and college years. He is an alumnus of various mentorship organizations that have helped him understand how he can serve communities and underrepresented youth using his talents and abilities.

As an alumnus of ACE Mentor Chicago, he used the experience gained in the 2016, 2018, and 2020 Design Build Workshops to create his own way of giving back to the community. His passions have helped him find a way to teach and expose individuals to the AEC Industry through the lens of skateboarding.

Alex graduated from Triton College in 2021 with his Associate of Arts and Sciences in Architecture degree, he also received certifications in Architecture Technology, Architecture Design and BIM in 2020. He currently serves as an Instructor with After School Matters running his own Design, Build, & Skate program and the Makelab program, both programs expose Chicago teens to various aspects of the AEC Industry. Alex’s long-term goals are to obtain a bachelor/master’s degree in architecture and become a licensed Architect in Illinois.