860-880 Lake Shore Drive

Posted By KJ ~ 10th March 2010

Believe it or not, I do have some education, some of it was even in college.

During my undergrad struggles I kind of accidentally took an art appreciation class.  We talked about different things; things like artists, different schools of thought, techniques, etc.  Truly an overview of everything art.

I loved this class.

One of my favorite sections of the class was architechture.  We talked about various and sundry architects, styles, movements, everything.  It rocked.  I came to love The Bauhaus during this time.  I read, studied, explored, really learned.  Far and away the best class I’d ever taken (undergrad division).

One of the architects that I fell in love with during this time was Mies van der Rohe.  I was enthralled with the modernity of his designs.  Clean of line and structure; generally unadorned and modern.  Beautifully, beautifully modern.

One of my favorite Mies van der Rohe designs was860-880 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.  This is what a modern building should look like.  The lines are clean, straight, modern, futuristic, glass, black. white…the very picture of modern design.  I loved and continue to love this building.  It speaks to me of a time when things were new and cool and hep and…and original.  Original.  Mies van der Rohe was nothing if not original.  Built in the late 40′s – early 50′s, the buildings were starting to show some age and were refurbished and redone recently.

Beautiful mid centry architechture at it’s finest.  If you’re ever in Chicago, go see them.  You’ll thank me.

Link