Dirk Lohan
{{Short description|American architect}}
Dirk Lohan (born 1938, Rathenow, Germany) is a US architect and principal partner at Lohan Architecture.{{cite web |title= Lohan Architecture |url=https://www.lohanarchitecture.com/about-us |website=Lohan Architecture llc |publisher=Lohan Architecture |access-date=5 December 2021}}
His own works include McDonald's former Corporate Headquarters campus{{cite web |title=Mcdonalds Corporate HQ |url=https://www.lohanarchitecture.com/office-commercial?pgid=kk8qvpdx-8729c86e-7736-4c62-8bdf-542eac5b9fee |access-date=5 December 2021 |website=Lohan Architecture}} in Oak Brook, the John G. Shedd Oceanarium and the Soldier Field stadium expansion and enrovation.[https://www.architecture.org/news/innovation-in-architecture/questions-for-an-architect-dirk-lohan/ Questions for an architect: Dirk Lohan on Architecture.org]
He is known as the continuator of the work of his grandfather{{Cite web |last=Zeitung |first=Aachener |date=2017-01-20 |title=Aachen: Van der Rohe-Enkel Dirk Lohan: "In Chicago hat man großes Interesse" |url=https://www.aachener-zeitung.de/kultur/van-der-rohe-enkel-dirk-lohan-in-chicago-hat-man-grosses-interesse_aid-24638215 |access-date=2021-03-05 |website=Aachener Zeitung |language=de}} and an expert on its conservation.{{Cite web |date=2013-09-30 |title=Esprit Design: Vila Tugendhat i letošní Designblok {{!}} Design |url=https://www.lidovky.cz/relax/design/esprit-design-vila-tugendhat-i-letosni-designblok.A130930_175600_ln-bydleni_ml |access-date=2021-03-05 |website=Lidovky.cz |language=cs}} He is also one of the main characters of the comic Mies by Agustín Ferrer Casas, where he accompanies his grandfather on a trip to Europe and Mies van der Rohe speaks with him about his life and work during the flight.{{Cite book |last=Ferrer Casas |first=Agustín |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1098225297 |title=Mies |date=2019 |publisher=Grafito Editorial |isbn=978-84-947670-5-0 |location=Valencia |oclc=1098225297}}
Biography
Lohan was born in Germany, but grew up in Chicago, where he was exposed to architecture at an early age.{{Cite book |last=Lohan |first=Dirk |url=https://catalog.library.tamu.edu/Author/Home?author=Lohan,+Dirk,+1938-& |title=Dirk Lohan, buildings and projects of Lohan Associates, 1978-1993 / |date=1993 |publisher=E. Wasmuth |isbn=978-3-8030-2809-9}}
His grandfather, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, was one of the influential architects of the 20th century.{{Cite web |title=US Modernist Radio - Architecture You Love: #88/My Grandfather, Mies: Dirk Lohan |url=https://usmodernist.libsyn.com/88mies-van-der-roh-dirk-lohan |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=usmodernist.libsyn.com |language=en}}
Lohan’s childhood home was filled with images of his grandfather's buildings, and Lohan developed an early fascination with architecture.{{Cite web |date=2015-02-21 |title=Mediating Mies: Dirk Lohan's Langham Hotel Lobby at the IBM Building |url=https://www.archdaily.com/601205/mediating-mies-dirk-lohan-s-langham-hotel-lobby-at-the-ibm-building |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=ArchDaily |language=en-US}} As a teenager, he made a personal connection to Mies' work, particularly the 860–880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments in Chicago.{{Cite web |last=Knoll |date=2021-01-25 |title=Living With: Dirk Lohan |url=https://www.knoll.com/story/shop/living-with-dirk-lohan |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Knoll |language=en}} He studied architecture with his grandfather, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and worked with him on projects like the New National Gallery in West Berlin{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Chicago |date=1987-08-30 |title=ARCHITECT DIRK LOHAN LEAVING HIS MARK ON CHICAGO |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/08/30/architect-dirk-lohan-leaving-his-mark-on-chicago/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}} and the Chicago IBM office building.{{Cite web |title=Gallery of Mediating Mies: Dirk Lohan's Langham Hotel Lobby at the IBM Building - 2 |url=https://www.archdaily.com/601205/mediating-mies-dirk-lohan-s-langham-hotel-lobby-at-the-ibm-building/54e7a363e58ece7fc3000110-the-entrance-canopy |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=ArchDaily |language=en-US}} Lohan studied architecture and earned a degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.{{Cite web |title=IIT College of Architecture {{!}} Dirk Lohan FAIA |url=https://arch.iit.edu/directory/dirk-lohan-faia |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=IIT College of Architecture |language=en-US}}
After completing his studies, Lohan began his professional career in the architectural field. While early in his career, he worked on various projects, including the design of the McDonald’s headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-23 |title=McDonald's HQ architect: Oak Brook campus is worth saving |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180123/OPINION/180129972/dirk-lohan-on-saving-mcdonald-s-oak-brook-headquarters |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Crain's Chicago Business |language=en-US}}
He played a role in the design and renovation of Soldier Field in Chicago,{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Ryan |last2=Shapiro • • |first2=Alex |date=2024-05-01 |title=Architect redesigns Soldier Field amid financial skepticism in Bears' stadium plan |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/architect-shares-redesign-plan-for-soldier-field-amid-financial-skepticism-in-bears-stadium-plan/3426233/?os=vbkn42t...&ref=app |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=NBC Chicago |language=en-US}} the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=Soldier Field Renovator, Architect Dirk Lohan, Takes Another Shot at Saving the Century-Old Stadium — and Chicago and Its Bears a Lot of Money |url=https://www.athleticbusiness.com/facilities/stadium-arena/article/15670894/soldier-field-renovator-architect-dirk-lohan-takes-another-shot-at-saving-the-centuryold-stadium-and-chicago-and-its-bears-a-lot-of-money |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Athletic Business |language=en-us}}
Style
Lohan’s architectural style is influenced by his grandfather's work but is distinct in its approach. While Mies van der Rohe was known for his minimalist, rigid designs, Lohan incorporates a greater focus on human comfort and warmth.{{Cite web |last=Newspaper |first=Architect's |date=2014-04-28 |title=Dirk Lohan |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2014/04/dirk-lohan/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=The Architect’s Newspaper |language=en-US}} He often uses warmer materials compared to the cooler, more austere elements favored by Mies.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-06 |title=A Windy City Welcome: Rethinking Hospitality Design in Chicago |url=https://www.archdaily.com/954871/a-windy-city-welcome-rethinking-hospitality-design-in-chicago |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=ArchDaily |language=en-US}}
References
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Category:20th-century American architects
Category:21st-century American architects
Category:International style architects
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