archKIDecture is an independent architecture education project that encourages children to explore and participate in the built environment.
Illinois Institute of Technology Campus Center Building
Chicago,
Illinois, USA - 2003
- Rem Koolhaas, architect
- 10,690 square meter, one-story building, sheathed in metal and glass
- 161 meter (530 feet) long stainless steel tube surrounding the "L" train
So you are an architect and you are given the challenge to build a student center building in the middle of an empty parking lot with a local train line riding above the lot that makes so much noise you can barely hear your own voice. What kind of building would you build to block out that noise and make a space that is good for studying and for conversation between students?
Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, this interesting college building is brilliant because the train tracks into the actual structure. Usually, when people build near these tracks, they do whatever necessary to hide from the NOISE of the trains. Here, the architect decided to use the train as an element in the work. the stainless steel tube is very sound proof as the train speeds through the structure.
This ramp inside of the building is just one of the unusual spaces you find upon entering. This zig zag ramp connects the cafeteria to the ground floor with steps and flat surfaces mingled together. It doesn't look like a typical ramp that only kids on skateboards or people in wheelchairs might use. This area is used by people of all needs to walk or roll together.
The front of the building or FACADE is also unique. The photo of a famous architect who used to teach at this school, named Mies van Der Rohe is imprinted on the glass entrance with a series of illustrations in bright orange. You can see the image of Mies from a distance, but his image is not visible from close up.