The Milwaukee skyline is a stacked juxtaposition of old, new, contemporary and traditional that illustrates the city's diverse architectural history.

But it's not just about the buildings that tower above us in concrete and steel; there are plenty of plans, drawings and models yet to fully matriculate but which give us a glimpse of the progressive talent at local architectural firms.

"UNSEEN Architecture: MKE" -- hosted by the Eisner American Museum of Advertising & Design -- highlights the "secret" work of 18 local architecture firms. Opening today and running through March 2010, the exhibit explores concept drawings and models of projects developed yet never built in the Milwaukee area.

"We are excited to bring in this amazing array of creative thinking," says Cori Coffman, executive director of The Eisner. "Design comes in many forms, architecture being one of them. If these concept drawings were built, Milwaukee would have a far more progressive looking skyline."

The public rarely sees the plethora of ideas that don't make the final cut; seeing the tangible results of only a small portion of the many projects and ideas that flow from local individuals and agencies.

"These are full renderings of commercial projects with elements of the Milwaukee city-scape. There are very few CAD drawings; they're really fully done. And the models are phenomenal; one is 7 feet tall," Coffman says.

"UNSEEN Architecture: MKE" puts an end to the mystery and exposes a Milwaukee created but never built. Collaborating with the American Institute of Architects' Milwaukee chapter, the exhibit acknowledges the cultural history wrapped up in this city's architecture by celebrating the process, from inkling to idea to concept.

"If you think about design, it crosses so many professions and we believe that architecture is really in the design realm. There's a decision making process that is universal to any form of design and so we really want to educate the public more on what could be in Milwaukee," Coffman says.

The exhibit opens Sept.2 and the Eisner American Museum of Advertising & Design hosts an opening party on Sept. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m.