Mies van der Rohe worked closely with Alfred Caldwell on the landscape design of IIT's campus. Caldwell's landscape plan reflected the native terrain and plantings of the prairie, naturally complementing the campus grid and the spare geometry of the buildings.

Though some of Caldwell's original plantings remain, others have succumbed to the ravages of urban conditions. As a result, plantings and landscape design throughout the campus are inconsistent. The university will consider new landscape proposals as well as restoration of Caldwell's landscape features. Through implementing a landscape plan based upon an understanding of Mies's buildings, Caldwell's principles, and today's urban and academic environment, IIT will dramatically enhance the campus's year-round appearance. The landscape architect will also collaborate on the development of an oriented, experiential walking tour of IIT's Mies Campus.

The landscape design firms of Michael Van Valkenburgh, of Cambridge, Massachussetts, and Peter Lindsay Schaudt of Chicago, were engaged by the university in May 1998 to develop the first landscape master plan for IIT's Main Campus. They have worked with the university's Mies Campus Committee and Mies Interpretive Center consultants Frank Jewell and Katherine Hill, and campus center architect Rem Koolhaas to develop the landscape master plan. The approved final plan was presented to the university in May 1999.

In addition, the landscape architects have worked closely with IIT and the City of Chicago on development of complementary proposals for new streetscapes on State Street and 33rd Street as they pass through the campus.

The receipt of a major gift commitment from IIT alumnus Irving Footlik has enabled the university to initiate the first phase of implementation of the landscape master plan: the field north of Crown Hall.

Phase one was completed in June 2000 and included creating a sunken field, placing stone benches and planting blossom trees around the field.
Phase two will include the realignment of Federal Street, south of 33rd Street, for the addition of parking, and new landscaping in front of the Main Building.

As of Today

	The Main Building front courtyard is complete. Four limestone benches have been installed among the newly planted trees and foliage.
	Work is complete on Pritzker-Galvin Grove at the southwest corner of 33rd and State Streets. Four limestone benches, stone pavers and a fountain have been installed. The grove is in honor of Robert Galvin and Robert Pritzker, who pledged a total of $120 million in matching funds to The IIT challenge campaign, which wrapped up in August 2001. The campaign raised more than $250 million.
	97 new trees and more than 20,000 ground covering plants were planted in summer and fall 2001.
	The Alumni Walkway has been installed. More than 450 alumni purchased bricks for the walkway.