S. R. Crown Hall

S. R. Crown Hall is a building on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Completed in 1956, the structure was designed by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for the IIT's College of Architecture, which he led for two decades. Crown Hall is a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark. The building occupies a rectangular site of 120 by 220 feet (37 m × 67 m), with its longer axis running east–west, and consists of two levels: the main story and a basement. The main level is raised 6 feet (1.8 m) and is accessed mainly from a porch to the south. The glass curtain wall is divided horizontally into three tiers of panes, interspersed with steel columns and mullions. The roof is 18 feet (5.5 m) above the main level and is supported by four girders, which rest on four pairs of columns. Inside, the main level is a mostly open plan space with half-height partitions; there are no interior columns besides two mechanical shafts. The basement consists of rooms arranged around a U-shaped corridor that links two stairways. The site was previously occupied by Mecca Flats, which was demolished in 1952. Mies was first commissioned to design a lecture hall for IIT's architecture school in 1950. The building was named in honor of the businessman S. R. Crown, whose brothers Henry and Irving donated $250,000 for construction. Work began on December 2, 1954, and the building was dedicated on April 30, 1956. The windows were replaced in the 1970s, and an air-cooling system was added in the late 20th century. Extensive renovations in the 2000s fixed issues with the design, upgraded mechanical systems, and made the building more energy efficient. Over the years, the structure has received praise for its design, and numerous commentators described it as a major accomplishment by Mies. The building has also received architectural awards and has been depicted on a postage stamp.