Helmut Jahn's Legacy at La Lumiere

Helmut Jahn, the architect of the Marsch Gymnasium at La Lumiere, leaves behind a large collection of iconic buildings from his over half-century of design work. Jahn, who was 81-years-old, was struck and killed when out riding his bike over the weekend. 

Born in Germany in 1940, Jahn came to Chicago in the mid-1960s to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology, a notable school for aspiring architects. Jahn departed the Institute prior to finishing his degree and joined the Chicago architecture firm C.F. Murphy Associates. Jahn eventually became the head of the firm, which was later renamed simply JAHN. 

During his time as an architect, Jahn drew widespread attention for his designs and his persona. Notably, he landed on the cover of GQ in the mid-80s and later was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 2012. Even as Jahn’s fame grew and the firm expanded, he remained in Chicago. 

For the La Lumiere community, the historic Marsch Gymnasium is both a symbol of Jahn’s lasting legacy and a building unlike any other on campus. The building was designed by Jahn in 1978 and has made a lasting impression on all who have visited it.

“The first time I came to campus, years before I was hired, was to see Chief Justice John Roberts speak at commencement. As I stepped into the Marsch, I was immediately struck by how the natural light flooded in from both ends. The long-span roof—a style of which Helmut Jahn was a master—drew me in as I found my seat and settled \in. ‘This place is special,’ I remember thinking to myself (And boy, was I right!),” Head of School Adam Kronk said. “What an amazing blessing for our school to have a place in Jahn’s renowned legacy. We mourn his tragic passing and cherish the Marsch Gymnasium more than ever.”

Over decades of design work, Jahn reshaped skylines around the world. Jahn designed the Liberty Place (Philadelphia), the James R. Thompson Center (Chicago), the Sony Center (Berlin), Terminal 1 at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and many others.

You can read more about Jahn’s impressive legacy here.