Evanston's Campus

Kresge Hall

The current renovated version of Kresge Centennial Hall lacks distinct classical elements and fits into the generally more modern look of Northwestern’s buildings. This is why it is intriguing to see the more classical seal of Northwestern on the front face of the building. When the building was first built in the 50s, there were no true classical elements. Since it was a celebration of the identity and creation of the university, it seemed only natural to include the seal in its design as the seal’s purpose is to represent the founding of the university. Beyond this, the building as a whole has continued to lack additional classical elements. With the recent renovation having been conducted, it seems like the only direction it is heading in terms of architectural design is a more modern one. The continual presence of the seal does show that the university values its traditional symbol despite an evolving campus. 

Rebecca Crown Hall

The architect Walter Netsch designed this building and clock tower. There stands a modern looking clock tower surrounded by a plethora of office building spaces that despite its minimalist design, captivates viewers with a pleasing usage of symmetry and strikingly angular geometric shapes. Netsch is known for his brutalist architectural style. Interestingly enough, despite there being such a strong concrete, symmetrical, and geometric theme present in the entirety of the Crown Center, there is etched into the base of the clock tower, the seal of Northwestern. This choice is an intriguing one, as one may not think its traditional and classical look would fit into the theme of the overall building. 

Chicago campus

          The Montgomery Ward Memorial Building was designed by James Rogers. James Rogers was the architect responsible for all the designs of the buildings on Northwestern’s Chicago campus and for many buildings on Evanston’s campus. The formation of the Chicago campus was an important one as it consolidated all the professional schools of Northwestern into one 25 acre segment on the shore of Lake Michigan just north of the Chicago River. The building itself has a modernized gothic style which is characteristic of much of Rogers’ work.  All three of the graduate school buildings feature a seal of Northwestern etched into the exterior right above their main Chicago Avenue entrances. The classical seal blends well with Roger’s characteristic design features. His decision to include the seal makes sense here as well when considering the architectural context. The new Chicago campus was an extraordinary step in the growth of the university. This growth was the original goal of the founders of the university in 1851 and when the goal was achieved the university wanted to pay tribute to its own history. Furthermore, the entire beginning of the formation of the Chicago campus partly began with Professor Daniel Bonbright, another reason to universally include the seal on the building’s design. When he was president, he made some of the initial steps towards the formation of a consolidated Chicago campus.

Mont. Ward, Exterior, “Northwestern Architecture”, Northwestern University Archives, Evanston IL

Bibliography

1. Mont. Ward, Exterior, “Northwestern Architecture”, Northwestern University Archives, Evanston IL
2. Sims, Ron. “Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center.” Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center | News The Feinberg School Celebrates 150 Years: the New Chicago Campus, 1926-1955, Oct. 2009, galter.northwestern.edu/news/the-feinberg-school-celebrates-150-years-the-new-chicago-campus-19261955.