“City In A Garden” Celebration of Community @ Nuluum

Hosted at Nuluum, City in a Garden was a summer installation and gathering that brought together designers, artists, and neighbors to celebrate the creative spirit that defines Chicago. Designed and curated by En Masse Architecture and Design, the evening transformed the “secret garden” space through a series of site-specific installations and a custom-built bar led by Austin Taylor, En Masse Architectural Designer, and a playful seating piece affectionately called the snake. Crafted from yoga balls, it flexed and shifted with guests as they sat—inviting everyone to relax, and enjoy the moment of whimsy and joy.

The evening’s identity drew from Chicago’s history of innovation—from the layered civic grandeur of the World’s Fair to the energy of the city’s neighborhoods. The grounds, shaped by Nathan Wright Landscape Design set the tone for the night’s atmosphere. Featured artists Slang and Matthew Hoffman added their voices to the night: Slang’s mural animated the exterior of Nuluum, while Hoffman’s large pieces, Be Here Now, You Got This, and Be Kind anchored the the courtyard in warmth, optimism, and simplicity. Their scale added a dreamlike sense of wonder—an Alice in Wonderland moment that played with proportion, color, and imagination, transforming the walk from California Avenue into something a little bit fantastical.

Like all events in the En Masse Event Series, City in a Garden was about more than design. It was about creating experiences that connect people through space, craft, and shared creativity. Proceeds, bar gratuities, and raffle tickets supported Architreasures, a nonprofit advancing participatory art and design projects across Chicago neighborhoods, while the yoga balls from the installation were later donated to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation. For this lovely event, art, architecture, islands of green, and community joy created a living reflection of Chicago’s enduring motto: Urbs in Horto (City In A Garden).