McCormick Tribune Campus Center

Ahhhh, to be a student again. *sigh*
That nostalgia is probably one of the reasons why I enjoy coming here during lunch time. And… let’s be honest — there’s really nowhere else to eat on the campus. Yup.
But, it’s a pretty cool place to hang out. There’s tons of empty tables, chairs, random tv’s, video games. The place has a pretty modern vibe to it and the design is pretty interesting. You get the feel that you’re on a tech campus right away. (Check out the bathrooms, seriously. Super clean and I love the design and color scheme!)
There’s a post office on-​site, a 7 – 11, a coffee bar and a lil café open during lunch time. The food is a lil pricey, but, if you’re without a car, then this is the best option on campus!

Oh Rem — I felt like I was walking in a real like Olafer Eliasson exhibit. I love the orange corridor that really hit home and the ladies room with the lumicore panels — now that is the bathroom to shadoobie in. i dig it and i think it compliments the transit station and school well. I am a touch jealous though because one day I want to work on sexy projects and get to have a budget where I can lumicore the shit out of everything — it really is one of the best products in my world. Ahhhh.

Yes, the MTCC made brilliant use of the Green line (also a strategy to get money from the city, $ 12 million to be exact). But conserving energy apparently was not at the top of designer Koolhaas’ list of priorities. The glass walls have no insular value; heating and AC costs must be astronomical. Wasteful building has a long history at IIT. The campus was designed by Mies van der Rohe, and the ugly, boxy buildings are a testament to environmental indifference. Since the CEO of Exelon is now Chair of IIT’s Board of Trustees, it appears that this tradition will be continued for some time to come. However, the end will arrive, in two words: Peak oil.

This bold design by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas is the new campus center for the IIT students. Its orange color scheme is quite electrifying, and its incorporation of the tube which encloses the «L» tracks of the Green Line is fascinating. The design pays homage to Mies with a ghostly image on its western entrance.