Mies van der Rohe's Rediscovered Building Opens at Indiana University
In February 2022, Indiana University Bloomington unveiled a previously forgotten design by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Originally commissioned in 1950 for the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity by Joseph Cantor and Harry Berke, the project faced financial difficulties and was left unfinished in 1957. The drawings were later found in 1985 among the possessions of fraternity president Allan Kwitney and subsequently donated to MoMA. In 2013, Sidney Eskenazi alerted the university to more drawings. Further research uncovered additional documentation, culminating in a 2019 announcement to construct the design as a multifunctional facility. Thomas Phifer and Partners modified the original concept while maintaining Mies's style. The building features offices, workshops, and conference areas, with a public event held on April 8, 2022, to mark its completion.
Key facts
- Mies van der Rohe's design from 1952 was built for the first time in 2022.
- The building is located at Indiana University Bloomington.
- Original commission was for a Pi Lambda Phi fraternity house in 1950.
- Project was abandoned in 1957 due to lack of funds.
- Drawings were rediscovered in 1985 after Allan Kwitney's death.
- Alan Kleinman donated the drawings to MoMA.
- Sidney Eskenazi provided additional drawings in 2013.
- Thomas Phifer and Partners adapted the design to current standards.
- The building is nearly 1,000 square meters on two floors.
- Furnishings include pieces by Mies van der Rohe and Florence Knoll.
- A public event on April 8, 2022, will feature biographer Edward Windhorst.
Entities
Artists
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
- Florence Knoll
- Dirk Lohan
- Edward Windhorst
- Thomas Phifer
Institutions
- Indiana University
- Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design
- MoMA
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Pi Lambda Phi
- Thomas Phifer and Partners
Locations
- Bloomington
- Indiana
- United States
- Indianapolis
- Chicago
- Plano
- Illinois