CHICAGO MONEY

After the stock market dropped dramatically in 2008 and several more times in early 2009, it became apparent that not many of us understand certain aspects of commerce, finance and money. This project, the Chicago Money Museum, takes elements of finance and makes them available to the public by creating a dynamic architectural experience that explains the history of money, trade and commodities. At the center of this museum is an active trading floor in agricultural products. Visitors can come and observe one of Chicago’s traditions of open-outcry trading where traders use hand signals to exchange futures contracts. In addition to the trading floor, this museum also explains the financial markets, market fluctuations and the history of money. Ultimately, this museum provides the opportunity for people to gain a broader understanding of trading and finance. This new knowledge will allow them to understand a part of their lives in greater detail through experiencing architecture.