Category Archives: architecture

May 9, 2017

The origins of the Beckman Institute

Posted by rkcunningham
in architecture, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The origins of the Beckman Institute

An excerpt from An Illini Place: Building the University of Illinois Campus, by Lex Tate and John Franch The gift (and match) to establish the interdisciplinary Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, astonishing in its own right, was, however, … Continue reading →

May 5, 2017

200 Years of Illinois: Dutch windmill

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in architecture, Illinois / regional, immigration | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 200 Years of Illinois: Dutch windmill

On May 5, 2001, the village of Fulton officially opened the majestic De Immigrant, the 100-foot tall Dutch windmill overlooking the Mississippi River. Built in the Netherlands and reconstructed piece-by-piece by native craftspersons, De Immigrant marked its grand opening by grinding … Continue reading →

November 28, 2016

200 Years of Illinois: Henry Bacon, and that’s no baloney

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in architecture, Lincoln | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 200 Years of Illinois: Henry Bacon, and that’s no baloney

Reverent. Classical. (Well, neoclassical.) Uncontroversial in design, though the subject has a few fringe detractors. The Lincoln Memorial began to take shape in 1915. By then, architects and others had pitched a number of, shall we say, novel ideas about … Continue reading →

October 5, 2016

200 Years of Illinois: Mies van der Rohe in the House

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in architecture, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 200 Years of Illinois: Mies van der Rohe in the House

On October 7, 2004, the National Register of Historic Places added the Farnsworth House, located near Plano, to its list of significant locales. Beautiful, yet a challenge to human habitation, the Farnsworth House won immediate plaudits when Ludwig Mies van der … Continue reading →

October 27, 2015

Excelsior! continued

Posted by rkcunningham
in architecture, Chicago | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Excelsior! continued

You night think a skyline would maintain a certain consistency, an unchanging nature that reflected the fact that building a skyscraper is one of humanity’s more complex undertakings. Yet recent newsicles tell us that the most storied skyline of all, Chicago’s, … Continue reading →

October 12, 2015

Chicago River Bridges wins Society for the History of Technology prize

Posted by sfast
in architecture, authors, awards, Chicago, Illinois / regional | Tagged , | Comments Off on Chicago River Bridges wins Society for the History of Technology prize

Patrick McBriarty’s Chicago River Bridges has been selected as the winner of the 2015 Eugene S. Ferguson Prize, awarded biennially by the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT). The Ferguson Prize recognizes “an outstanding and original reference work that will … Continue reading →

September 3, 2015

Happy National Skyscraper Day

Posted by rkcunningham
in architecture, Chicago | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Happy National Skyscraper Day

Once rare wonders of the world targeted by giant apes, skyscrapers have become an indelible aspect of the urban experience. Their majesty inspires local pride, their beauty elicits amazement, and their daring/obnoxious designs spark debate. No city is more identified … Continue reading →

December 9, 2014

Larry Kanfer book signings and reception in downtown Chicago

Posted by michael
in architecture, art, Chicago, photography | Comments Off on Larry Kanfer book signings and reception in downtown Chicago

Larry Kanfer will sign copies of his latest book CHICAGOSCAPES in the Chicago Loop on December 17th & 18th.  This is a perfect gift for the holidays. Join us for these free events sponsored by the Illinois State Museum’s Illinois … Continue reading →

December 2, 2014

Best of Illinois: Look!

Posted by rkcunningham
in architecture, art, Chicago, new books, photography, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Best of Illinois: Look!

The Best of Illinois: Vol. 1, catalog offers cutting-edge graphic design, striking photography, a shelf of essential books, and a closeup of a bullfrog. Oh, you’ve heard these superlatives? Here’s the chase, the gist, the nitty, and/or the gritty: 40% off … Continue reading →

September 24, 2014

Aqua adds to the new face of Chicago

Posted by sfast
in architecture, Chicago, Illinois / regional | Tagged , | Comments Off on Aqua adds to the new face of Chicago

Standing 82 stories at 225 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago’s Aqua was named  the Emporis Skyscraper Award “skyscraper of the year” on September 24, 2010. This unique mixed-use residential building is featured on the cover of the AIA Guide to Chicago, Third Edition. … Continue reading →