Mies’ Legacy Dorms on Illinois Tech Campus Revitalized
George J. Kacek Hall (formerly Bailey Hall).
The rehabilitation of all three Ludwig Mies van der Rohe legacy residence halls on Illinois Tech’s campus is almost completed. The rehabilitations, by Dirk Denison Architects, imbue classic modernism with a vibrant new living experience for students. Dirk Denison, FAIA (ARCH ‘83, M.B.A. ‘85) is an alumnus and long-time professor at the Illinois Tech College of Architecture and serves on the Mies van der Rohe Society Board of Directors.
These high-rise residence halls have sweeping views of downtown and Lake Michigan. Mies used a concrete structural system for the buildings, similar to his Promontory Apartment Building (1949). The ground floor lobbies are set back from their facades to align the columnar grids of all three buildings, similar to his 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments (1951).
The rehabilitations are complete for Cunningham Hall (1955) and George J. Kacek Hall (formerly Bailey Hall, 1955); Carman Hall (1953) is still under construction.
George J. Kacek Hall re-opened in the fall of 2020. Originally single apartments, the pod-style residential floors have four-sided views of the outdoors with large social and study lounges. The windows open out into the landscape that was revitalized by Mies van der Rohe Society Board Member, Chandra Goldsmith Gray, in line with Alfred Caldwell’s original plans.
The rehabilitation of the three residence halls are evidence of Denison’s and the University’s commitment to preserve Mies’ legacy and Illinois Tech campus, while enriching the lives of students and uplifting the Bronzeville community. Denison’s contributions can be seen in the many building preservations and rehabilitations he has done on campus, including S.R. Crown Hall. In addition, courses and seminars he teaches reach beyond campus to improve the South Side community.
The Mies van der Rohe Society applauds Dirk Denison Architects’ rehabilitation techniques to preserve the historic character, maintaining the original use of those buildings as dorms while masterfully improving their usage for contemporary student life. In addition, given their updated facades, the three buildings provide inspiration to the surrounding communities—central to Illinois Tech’s mission.
Learn more:
See what Kacek Hall looks like today and take a virtual tour.
Read more about the Kacek Hall project on Dirk Denison Architects’ website.
Read about Denison’s recent Bronzeville project with Professor Maria Villalobo’s and their fifth-year architecture studio at Illinois Tech.
Join us in advancing Mies’ legacy and become a member of the Mies van der Rohe Society or make a gift today!
