This architecture building for the Illinois Institute of Technology was designed by Mies van der Rohe, who taught there, in 1956. This project was innovative in exposed steel frame that opens up the walls for glazing. The roof is suspended by steel-I beams that are much larger than they would need to be if there were columns in this wide space.
While the large windows are thermally inconvenient, the large amount of sunlight inside is striking. The basement is darker and more private, so that is where lounging space for the architecture students can be found. One must ascend stairs to reach the elevated building.
Mies designed this building as part of his 1940 master plan for the campus. It went on to inspire many such expressive modern buildings.
More Info and Images
Video: About Mies van der Rohe
(chispita_666– flickr/creative commons license)
(Tim Brown Architects– flickr/creative commons license)
(Tim Brown Architects– flickr/creative commons license)
