Crown Hall

Built 1956

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Mies van der Rohe’s S.R. Crown Hall is considered one of the most architecturally significant buildings of the Modernist movement. Serving as a benchmark for architects and designers, Crown Hall is, “one of the world’s most influential, inspiring, and astonishing structures” (Time Magazine). This National Historic Landmark has attracted thousands of tourists from around the world to Illinois Institute of Technology’s campus (the campus Mies designed).

Crown Hall’s revolutionary column-free space represents a design milestone for Mies: the creation of unobstructed universal interior space which can be adapted for different uses and needs over time. The one-story building has a raised basement and the South Porch appears to float like a pedestal at the top of the stairs to the building’s entrance (like a classical Greek temple).

Mies originally designed Crown Hall for the architecture and design programs and the College of Architecture still resides there. During the academic year, the building is alive with students, exhibitions, celebrations, and performances—a true testament to the lasting effect of Mies’ design.

In honor of Crown Hall’s 50th anniversary, the Mies van der Rohe Society led a $4M campaign toward a multiphase restoration of Crown Hall. Completed in 2005, the lead architects for the project, Krueck & Sexton (Illinois Tech alumni), along with preservationist and faculty member Gunny Harboe, received glowing praise from architecture critics and preservationists. The Mies Society also raised funds in 2021 to restore the South Porch and steps.