The IIT College of Architecture stands at the intersection of modernist legacy and future-forward innovation. Educating the next generation of architects in Mies van der Rohe’s Crown Hall, the school balances conceptual exploration with hands-on, material practice. Yet their outdated website no longer reflected this dynamic identity, nor did it adequately convey the breadth and depth of the student experience.

Span was engaged to bring IIT’s essence to life online, led by partner Bud Rodecker. We set out to communicate the school’s distinctive blend of big ideas and real-world application—what they call “shut up and build.” Our team highlighted IIT’s hard-working, humble ethos and commitment to the community while emphasizing its intellectual rigor and innovative spirit. Central to the brand refresh was a typographic system that included Neue Galerie—a digital revival of Mies van der Rohe’s “Allzweck” drawings—and The Future, a modern take on Futura used by IIT in the 1940s.

Through immersive workshops and a meticulous design process, we created a refreshed brand system, responsive website, and cohesive set of graphics. These elements underscore IIT’s core purpose—teaching modern building design—and its differentiator: a continuing emphasis on making physical things. In service of undergraduates, graduate students, and a global audience, the new digital presence blends the practical and conceptual, honoring IIT’s storied architectural heritage while showcasing its readiness to shape the future of the profession.