University of Chicago

University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago report to the Getty (PDF) 49.6MB

Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago faced a dramatic urban change on Chicago's south side. In 1955, the university's Board of Trustees engaged architect Eero Saarinen to oversee a post war campus expansion program. Following his plan, a dynamic campaign was undertaken to construct a new generation of campus building by leading architects at the time, including Holabird, Root, and Burgee; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; Saarinen; and Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. Funding will enable the university to develop guidelines to preserve the integrity of the university's modern iconic buildings while updating them to meet new energy efficiency criteria and accessibility standards.

The University of Chicago received a Getty grant in 2002 for $121,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Purpose: Funding will enable the university to develop guidelines to preserve the integrity of the university's modern iconic buildings while updating them to meet new energy efficiency criteria and accessibility standards.

Historic Designation: No current designation

Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago survived a dramatic urban change on Chicago's south side. In 1955, the university's Board of Trustees engaged architect Eero Saarinen to oversee a post war campus program, consciously changing from the previous existing Collegiate Gothic style. Following his plan, a dynamic campaign was undertaken to construct a new generation of campus building by leading architects at the time, including William Holabird, (John) Holabird, (John) Root, and (John) Burgee; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; Eero Saarinen; and Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill.

Site List:

• Administration Building (1948, Modernist limestone harmonized with Collegiate Gothic style; designed by Holabird and Root, actually Holabird, Root, and Burgee) – 5801 S. Ellis Avenue
• Laird Bell Law Quadrangle with library (1959, Modernist limestone harmonized in scale and materials with Collegiate Gothic style; designed by Eero Saarinen; 1987 library addition, designed by Cooper-Lecky Partnership; 1998 “Kane Center” library addition, designed by OWP&P; ) – 60th Street and the Midway
• Pierce Residence Hall (1960, limestone and brick, designed by Harry Weese and Associates) – 5514 S. University Avenue
• University High School (1960, designed by Perkins and Hill) – 5840 S. Kenwood Avenue
• Kellogg Center for Continuing Education/New Graduate Residence Hall (1962, designed by Edward Durell Stone)
• Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research (1964, designed by Skidmore Owings Merrill)
• School of Social Service Administration (1965, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe)
• Henry Hinds Laboratory for Geophysical Sciences (1969, designed by I.W. Colburn)
• Joseph Regenstein Library (1970, designed by Skidmore Owings Merrill)
• Smart Museum – Cochrane Woods Art Center (1974, designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes)

Planning Process

• Search archives for historic documentation
• Conduct a campus field survey
• Identify standards of significance used by Secretary of the Interior and DOCOMOMO (Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites, and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement)
• Apply the standards and select 10 buildings for study (construction 1948-74; architect of note)
• Research original construction and reported problems for each selection
• Consider the Historic Survey Report as a way to record research results
• Review survey results, preparing a condition assessment and analysis
• Develop preservation guidelines

Outcomes: Products

• Preservation Guidelines for Contemporary Architecture
• Condition Analysis Reports
• Condition Assessment Reports
• 1998 Roofing Condition Reports

Outcomes: Policies and Plans

Distribute copies of the information for each building studied among

• Director of Operations and Maintenance
• Director of Project Management
• University Architect
• University Planner
• Trade Shop supervisors (building envelope repair and maintenance)

Continue to observe structural conditions and document it

Unique Features

• Focus on contemporary architecture / Preservation Guidelines for Contemporary Architecture
• Discussion of problems particular to modern architecture, e.g., “lack of redundancy,” innovative rather than long-lasting materials, specialized interior spaces
• Discussion of historical significance as regards contemporary architecture (less than 50 years old)
• Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites, and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement (DOCOMOMO) criteria for historic significance: technological innovations, social patterns, artistic/aesthetic merit, work of famous designer, influence on subsequent design, integrity of original design intent, with particular emphasis on structure and setting, weaknesses introduced by lack of redundant construction, and machine-made materials from outdated machinery
• Integrity defined as “retention of the identity for which it is significant”
• Challenge of preservation that may include “innovative materials, systems, details, or components that were new and untested at the time of creation”
• Recommendations for repairs specific to contemporary architecture, organized by the type of repair or cleaning, rather than by the type of material being treated