McCormick Tribune Campus Center, Educational center at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, United States
The McCormick Tribune Campus Center is an educational center at Illinois Institute of Technology located beneath elevated metro tracks, using a stainless steel tube structure to reduce noise. The complex contains a bookstore, food court, restaurants, meeting rooms, a radio station, computer areas, and an auditorium for student activities.
Architect Rem Koolhaas won an international competition in 1997 to design this center, which opened in 2003. The opening created a new connection between the residential and academic zones of the campus.
The building displays circular symbols designed by Michael Rock, including a large portrait of architect Mies van der Rohe on the western entrance doors. These elements shape the character of the space and make it a visual landmark on campus.
The building is easy to navigate, with entrances from multiple sides and clear signage throughout the interior. The best time to visit is outside peak hours in the early morning or late afternoon when fewer students are present.
The internal layout follows the natural movement patterns of students across campus, creating diagonal routes instead of traditional straight paths. This approach reflects how people actually use the space rather than imposing a predetermined structure.
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