During discussions of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Illinois Institute of Technology campus, one particular building is always a bit more discussed, revered and admired than the rest: Crown Hall. An engineering masterpiece that features a clearly expressed, massive steel frame and a ceiling suspended from the I-beams that cross above it, the building ranks among Fallingwater and Villa Savoye as one of the 20th century's finest architectural works. So Mies's grandson is going to commemmorate it by smashing it with a hammer. more ›

Chicagoist has been pouring over all of the local media sites trying to decide what we want to do this weekend to celebrate Halloween. There's so much going on. Last week we posted on some city-sponsored events and things going on at the big museums. This week we're trying to highlight other happenings around town. I'm sure we'll miss some, so feel free to add or make suggestions in the comments, but here are some things that looked interesting to us: more ›

Helmut Jahn is now going to be designing environmentally friendly housing for the poor in Chicago. Scheduled to be built next year on a vacant lot near Cabrini-Green, Jahn's building is environmentally friendly and made of stainless steel and glass. Its shape will be like a Twinkie, very similar to the Illinois Institute of Technology dorms he designed (pictured at the left). It will have rooftop wind turbines and solar panels, as well as a recycling system that collects rainwater and uses it to flush the toilets. more ›