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S.R. Crown Hall is named for Sol R. Crown, Colonel Henry Crown's brother, who co-founded Material Service Corporation. Colonel Henry Crown was a member of IIT's Board of Trustees.
Architectural Icon
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| Crown Hall restoration will be completed in
several phases. Restoration of the studios, upper-level
woodwork, and famed South Porch is finished. The
current $4-million campaign will complete the next
phase of our efforts to preserve Mies' masterpiece
and enhance its teaching and learning environment.
These funds will allow us to stabilize the structure
and envelope; address electrical, accessibility,
and infrastructure issues; and improve energy efficiency.
In keeping with Mies' original intent, translucent
glass will once again be installed, and the steel
structure will be repainted to reflect the charcoal
"Mies black." |
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S.R. Crown Hall embodies Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's concept of universal space. Rather than designing narrowly for a specific purpose, Mies sought to create a structure that could be adapted to different uses as needs changed over time. He realized this goal by moving all structural supports to the building's exterior wall, thus creating a large clearspan structure with 120 x 220 x 18 feet of unencumbered interior space.
Mies knew he had achieved something extraordinary with Crown Hall,
and he called it "the clearest structure we have done, the best
to express our philosophy." Crown Hall was and continues to be
a standard for architects everywhere. It was designated a National
Historic Landmark in 2001, several years ahead of its 50th anniversary—the usual requirement for federal landmark consideration. It was also declared a Chicago landmark in 1997.
IIT's College of Architecture program, also shaped by Mies, educates
the world's leading architects and designers, who in turn create
many of the world's most innovative structures. With its open spaces
and interactive environment, Crown Hall is highly conducive to
Mies' approach to the study of architecture. Future architects
learn their practice in this landmark building, sometimes called
the world's largest and best one-room schoolhouse.
Crown Bibliography
Restoration Reports
Crown Hall Restoration - Status Report
Crown Hall Restoration - Photos
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