Laird Bell Law Quadrangle, Chicago

Home to the Law School, this complex designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen stands as his most significant contribution to the University of Chicago campus. In line with the tradition of grouping buildings of similar disciplines around a central court, Saarinen orchestrated the creation of four structures: Constitution Hall, a classroom building, the law library, and the administration building, all encircling a reflective pool and fountain. In November 1960, Saarinen was quoted in 'Architectural Record', expressing the intention to create a harmonious relationship with the Gothic dormitories by emphasizing a small, fragmented scale, a dynamic silhouette, and notably, verticality in the library's design.

Recognized as a pinnacle of modern architecture, this complex aligns with the Modernist emphasis on horizontal lines and interconnected spaces. Saarinen employed the same Indiana limestone used in the Gothic buildings nearby, while the adjacent fountain and landscaping by Dan Kiley added a touch of softness to the Mondrian-like order, maintaining the architectural balance.

In the same vicinity, the bronze sculpture 'Construction in the Third and Fourth Dimension' (1961–62), commissioned for this space, was crafted by Antoine Pevsner, a Russian-born sculptor known for his work in Cubist and Constructivist styles. As early as 1920, Pevsner advocated for art to engage in four dimensions, including time. In this sculpture, Pevsner exploited the distortion of flat metal planes, which theoretically could extend infinitely. The surface's striations also hint at the potential for the infinite.

A comprehensive renovation and modernization project in 2008 restored these structures to their former glory while adapting them to contemporary requirements. The D'Angelo Law Library tower, the standout feature of the complex, and the reflecting pool both received impressive makeovers and earned the 2008 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Rehabilitation.