Crown Hall
Chicago
The restoration of this mid-20th century architectural icon, according to the awards jury, was “of the highest quality.” Crown Hall has been home to the Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Architecture since its completion in 1956. Notable for its clear-span design and large expanses of glass, it was designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to function as a “universal” building. Over time, portions of the steel frame had corroded and expanded, causing windows to crack. By the 1970s, most of the original windows had been replaced. The university went to great lengths to accurately replicate the original façade while meeting current building codes. Working on a tight schedule during the summer recess, the project team repaired the corroded steel and painted and re-glazed the entire building—all before the Fall 2005 semester commenced. Crown Hall was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001—at age 45—and Time magazine recently selected it as one of the “Greatest Buildings of the World.”