Right To Attack Mies Masterpiece Auctioned on EBay

Ebay auction of right to smash windows of a building designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe raises small sum towards refurbishment of this iconic example of Modernist architecture.

1 minute read

April 24, 2005, 9:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


A winning bid of $2705 was placed on eBay for the opportunity to shatter the first pane of glass removed from S. R. Crown Hall as part of the 17 May 2005 "Smash Bash," the kick off for the historic renovation of the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed National Historic Landmark at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). The renovation coincides with the 50th anniversary celebration of this Modernist architectural icon. Granted National Landmark status in 2001, Crown Hall is an icon of the Modernist style in its classical post-war phase. S. R. Crown Hall was completed in 1956 as the centerpiece of Mies’ campus master plan and houses IIT’s College of Architecture.The renovation of S.R. Crown Hall will begin with shattering the entire glass façade in an unedifying act of cheap publicity-seeking.Something about this disgusting spectacle seems to sum up the trashy wasteful throw-away attitudes of Modernism. Though I'm no modernist, I can't take any delight in the thought of hundreds of square metres of plate glass being destroyed for the edification of a few idiots. Even our opponents deserve more respect than this.

Thanks to Dr Matthew Hardy

Saturday, April 23, 2005 in INTBAU

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight