IIT, September 2020

Kacek Hall: A Mies Masterpiece for Today’s Students

George J. Kacek Hall, named after alumnus George J. Kacek (EE ’54, M.S. ’55), opened its doors for the first time in August 2020. Kacek Hall is a legacy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe building revitalized by alumnus and College of Architecture Professor Dirk Denison. It imbues classic modernism with a vibrant, new living experience for first- and second-year students.

Each floor has two large lounges for social interaction and studying. The “social lounges” are located on the south side of each floor. The “study lounges” are on the north side of the building, touting amazing views of downtown Chicago. There is a mix of single-, double-, and triple-occupancy spaces and common-use bathrooms.

Opened in fall 2020, the building features residential floors in a “pod-style” configuration, with student rooms pinwheeling around central study and social lounge areas. Opening up the corridors and shared spaces to the light and views of the outdoors on all four sides of the building will alleviate one of the least desirable aspects of dorm living—a lack of natural light.

For a video tour and more photos,

Check out the full article here.