How did Ludwig Mies van der Rohe design the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology?

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology between 1939 and 1941, during his tenure as the director of the school’s architecture department.12

His design was characterized by a "cubic simplicity," creating buildings that were highly adaptable to the diverse needs of the institution. The campus is defined by a modernist aesthetic that utilizes specific, disciplined materials:1

• Exposed structural steel: A hallmark of his style that emphasizes the building's framework.1
• Large glass areas: These were used to reflect the surrounding campus grounds.1
• Yellow-brown brick: Used as a foundational material to complement the steel and glass.1

This project, which reached its apogee with the construction of Crown Hall (1952–56), established the school as world-renowned for its architectural vision. By employing these modern materials and a rigorous sense of proportion, Mies created a cohesive, functional environment that exemplified his famous principle that "less is more."12