The Project: Bronzeville Winery, Chicago
The Client: Eric Williams and Cecilia Cuff partnered to realize Bronzeville Winery, a shared vision to add a unique dining experience to this historic economic and cultural hub of Chicago’s Black community.
What were the guiding principles for this project? The vision for Bronzeville highlights artists, musicians, winemakers, and chefs, as well the rich culture and futures of the neighborhood—known as the “Black metropolis.” The quiet palette of wood with black accents allows features, such as commissioned works from local artists, to shine. A flexible, open floor plan and efficient back-of-house mean that the restaurant can transform into a space for events like live performances and art exhibitions.
Designers: Ann Lui, AIA, and Craig Reschke, AIA, launched Future Firm in 2015 as “architecture for changemakers.” Now a practice of six architects and designers, Future Firm works with small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals working to catalyze change.
Inside the Project
Community on Display
A millwork display wall in the dining area creates a crenellated acoustic surface and nooks for wine and art. Wine bottles were donated by a neighborhood resident who traveled the world collecting wine. Rotating exhibitions of local artists are mounted on natural, unfinished acoustic panels made from recycled materials.
Flexible Space
Designed to host events, performances, and rentable community space, the winery features built-in bench seating encased in Baltic birch, which balances openness with a more intimate dining experience.
Engaging Local Creators
The restaurant design features local designers, artists, and materials from Chicago’s South Side, including soft-edged, gloss-black dining chairs and bar stools custom-designed by Max Davis + Norman Teague Design Studios and produced by Titobi Studios. Custom light fixtures from the Chicago artist Lucy Slivinski feature scrap steel from a nearby die-cast factory. Bricks used in the project were donated by the multidisciplinary artist Theaster Gates from his St. Laurence Church project.
Wine-forward bar design
Wine is a centerpiece of the restaurant, including a wine list curated to highlight women-, Black-, and minority-owned labels. We designed temperature-controlled wine cabinets to display the bottles, framing them with Baltic birch artwork.
Foundational Artwork
A feature of the space includes a unique material strategy: a direct print onto Baltic birch plywood of a new work by South side artist Krista Franklin. Franklin’s multi-media collages become a centerpiece in the restaurant, adjacent to both the dining area and the bar.
A Welcoming Chef’s Table
The chef’s table and open kitchen area provide a direct connection for visitors with the cooking process. The counter is framed with an indoor garden including irrigation and lighting, with microgreens supplied by local urban farm Herban Produce.
Attention to Acoustics
Sound and acoustics were a major focus for owner Eric Williams, whose background includes supporting Chicago DJs and musicians. The design features black-painted, ceiling-hung acoustic panels, which create a rhythmic pattern between light fixtures and building systems. Sound-absorptive materials such as natural wood and fabrics are also woven throughout the space.
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