I had the good fortune on Friday, May 15 to attend the gala celebration for the grand opening of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago; a near flawless addition designed by famed architect Renzo Piano. The building is beautifully concepted, and executed so well that it truly celebrates the art it was created to house.

It is nice to see that an organization like the Institute has the vision and commitment to raise the funds necessary to build a wing of the finest materials and workmanship and does not merely raise enough to just meet current needs. This is a building that will be enjoyed by generations long after we have all left this earth.

Too often today you see organizations just making do or letting budget constraints drive short term thinking and decisions.  I love it when organizations understand the value of "doing it right," hiring the top experts in their fields and then giving them the license to truly practice their craft.  Often you see the client "playing designer,"  making significant changes that compromise the integrity of the concept, or cutting corners to save a few dollars.  But when people have the courage and commitment to avoid these pitfalls, it is a gift to all of us of near perfection.

Kudos to the Institute and Mr. Piano for a remarkable achievement.