Cynthia Vranas, Director of the Mies van der Rohe Society
Cynthia Vranas (M.ARCH. ’01, Ph.D. ’17) is both director of the Mies van der Rohe Society and of External Affairs at Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture. Vranas’ focus is on highlighting Illinois Tech’s campus and Mies van der Rohe’s legacy—his pedagogy, architecture, and colleagues: Walter Peterhans, Ludwig Hilberseimer, Alfred Caldwell, and Lilly Reich (among others). Through educational programs, lectures, tours, exhibitions, and publications, the Mies van der Rohe Society serves Illinois Tech alumni and College of Architecture, Chicago’s architecture and design community, friends of Mies, and the general public.
Vranas is a principal of Olsen | Vranas Design and Build. She earned both her masters and doctorate degrees (with an emphasis on architectural history and theory) from Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture. Vranas has worked as a licensed architect and certified interior design professional. Her prior positions include serving as associate dean and studio professor at Harrington Institute of Interior Design, and design roles with various architectural and design firms, including Murphy/Jahn.
Vranas’ passion for architecture and commitment to Illinois Tech is a benefit. She believes in preserving the modern—a way of communicating culture. We must explore authenticity, materiality, function, and the way of “seeing” Mies’ craft, through both preservation and change. There is more to architecture than just the details.
Join us in advancing Mies’ legacy and become a member of the Mies van der Rohe Society or make a gift today!
