Hyde Park, Chicago

To the south of the city is the large campus of the University of Chicago, one of the leading U.S. universities, which was founded in 1891 by John D. Rockefeller and now has some 12,000 students. On the campus is Robie House, built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1909 as a private residence, which is now occupied by the Institute of International Studies. There are also buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen. The first controlled nuclear chain reaction was achieved by University scientists in 1942.

Built in 1909 for businessman Frederick C Robie, this house represents the best example of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie School style. It has long overhanging eaves, a nearly flat roof, an open floor plan and exaggerated horizontal lines meant to reflect the prairie landscape. Today it houses the University of Chicago's Alumni Relations Office.