GRC Restores Koolhaas' MTCC Model

In 1997, the Illinois Institute of Technology announced an international design competition for the construction of the first new building since 1971 on its storied campus. The competition for the McCormick Tribune Campus Center (MTCC) included proposals from finalists Peter Eisenman, Helmut Jahn, Zaha Hadid, Kazuyo Sejima, and Rem Koolhaas’ Office of Metropolitan Architecture.

Plan and model ©OMA (Top: Koolhaas, Rem. Mazzocchi, Giovanna. Post-occupancy. [Milan]: Editoriale Domus, 2006. Print; Bottom: IIT Archives.)

Koolhaas’ program for uniting academic and residential zones while incorporating Mies van der Rohe’s 1953 Commons Building received top honors. The MTCC, completed in 2003, was Koolhaas’ first built work in the United States. Since its inception, the building has attracted passionate discourse and debate surrounding its use, engineering, and approach to city/campus integration.

In honor of the MTCC Competition’s 20th anniversary, the Graham Resource Center and College of Architecture have restored the presentation model of Koolhaas' winning design, including a new vitrine and pedestal. Please join us in celebrating its reinstallation at a brief unveiling ceremony with comments from Donna V. Robertson, John and Jeanne Rowe Chair in Architecture and Dean Emeritus, on Fri., May 13, 4:30pm, just prior to College of Architecture  Open House events.