Mies and Modernism: The IIT Campus

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    Crown Hall. Photo by Peter J. Sieger.

The Illinois Institute of Technology is home to the largest group of buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe—the most influential figure in American Modernism.
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    Crown Hall. Photo by Peter J. Sieger.

This tour traces the evolution of the campus with a special emphasis on the years 1938—1958—the time during which Mies was the head of the School of Architecture.

Duration
2 hours
Site Type
Neighborhoods
Location
Southside
Architects and Styles
Meet

Inside Perlstein Hall, 10 W. 33rd St.

The tour also visits more recent projects, including the McCormick Tribune Campus Center (designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas) and the Helmut Jahn-designed State Street Village residence hall. The tour is operated with the assistance of the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Know before you go:
  • Building interiors will not be featured and bathrooms will not be available on this tour.

Tour reviews

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  • An interior photo of Crown Hall.

    Crown Hall. Photo by Peter J. Sieger.

  • An exterior photo of the Materials & Metals Building.

    Materials & Metals Building. Photo by Peter J. Sieger.

  • An interior photo of the McCormick Tribune Campus Center

    McCormick Tribune Campus Center. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

  • An exterior photo of the McCormick Tribune Campus Center

    McCormick Tribune Campus Center

  • An interior photo of the McCormick Tribune Campus Center

    McCormick Tribune Campus Center. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

  • An exterior photo of Perlstein Hall.

    Photo by Joe Ravi, licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0.

  • Exterior perspective of a one-level box shaped building with glass doors in the center

    Carr Chapel. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

Tour Accessibility

CAC is committed to improving access to our tours. The accessibility information below reflects our docents’ experience and is provided for general guidance only.

What to expect on this tour

  • Icon of a person walking with a red percentage sign

    Terrain & Surfaces

    Easy - Paved and flat the entire route

  • Icon of a wheelchair and red arrow

    Wheelchair & Walker Access

    Easy - Fully accessible; no barriers

  • Icon of the outline or some steps and a red arrow pointing diagonally right and up.

    Steps or Stairs

    Easy - No stairs, step-free route

  • Icon of an ear with a red throughline

    Hearing Access

    Easy - Quiet setting, easy to hear

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Free Center Entry with Your Ticket

Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your walking or bus tour.

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