Page 98 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

96  CHIC A GO AREA B Y AREA

technology, and architecture.
The main campus is an
outstanding example of the
work of influential architect
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
(see p32), who was hired by
architect John A. Holabird to
direct the Armour Institute’s
architecture school and design
the new campus.
In the campus plan, along
with the 22 IIT buildings he
designed, Mies expressed his
modernist view that form
follow function. Geometric and
A Chinatown grocery shop unadorned glass-sheathed
curtain-wall structures
u Chinatown Wentworth Avenue) was epitomize Mies’ International
originally the On Leong style. One of Mies’ master-
S Wentworth Ave., north & south of
Cermak Rd. Map 5 B1–C1. Tel (312) Chinese Merchants’ Association pieces is the S.R. Crown Hall
326-5320. q Cermak-Chinatown. _ Building; it is now a cultural (1956). This glass-walled
See Where to Eat and Drink: p146. center. Sculpted lions at the pavilion is an early example of
∑ chicagochinatown.org doorway guard its street-level a large clear-span structure,
shops; terra-cotta ornaments the four exterior columns
A red and green gateway bedeck the walls. Modern supporting the girders from
decorated with Chinese Chinatown Square Mall which the roof is hung. The
characters inscribed by (Archer, Cermak, 18th, building appears to float in
Dr. Sun Yet-Sen, and Wentworth) space. Of it, Mies said: “This
founder of the quarters shops is the clearest structure we
Republic of China, and a plaza have done, the best to express
arches over surrounded by our philosophy.”
Wentworth Avenue zodiac sculptures Alumni Memorial Hall, Mies’
just south of and a mosaic mural. first classroom building on the
Cermak Road. It Annual Chinatown campus, is another notable
marks the entrance Detail of decorative tile on celebrations example of structure also
to the largest the Chinese Cultural Center include the Dragon functioning as ornament. The
Chinatown in the Boat Races in the steel grid of the curtain wall
Midwest. A lively area full summer and the Moon Festival suggests the steel structure
of Asian grocery and herbal in September. within. In Wishnick Hall, the
shops, bakeries, and curtain wall stops short of the
restaurants, this densely i Illinois Institute corner to reveal the load-
packed neighborhood of bearing column.
approximately 10,000 residents of Technology St. Saviour’s Chapel, known
has been home to Chicago’s 31st to 35th sts, between Dan Ryan waggishly as the “God box,”
highest concentration of Expy & S Michigan Ave. Map 5 C4–D4. is believed to be Mies’ only
Chinese people since just Tel (312) 567-3000. q Sox-35th; church design.
before World War I. 35-Bronzeville-IIT. @ 29, 35. The campus is also home to
Traditional Chinese ∑ iit.edu the magnificent redbrick
architecture is evident Richardsonian Romanesque
throughout the colorful The Illinois Institute of Main Building. Designed by
streetscape. The temple-like Technology (IIT) is a world Patten and Fisher (1891–3), it is
Pui Tak Center (2216 South leader in engineering, IIT’s most visible landmark.

S.R. Crown Hall on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus

096-097_EW_Chicago.indd 96 13/07/16 2:59 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm