german architect helmut jahn dies in bicycle crash aged 81

helmut jahn, the acclaimed german architect, has died in a fatal bicycle crash. the tragic incident occurred on saturday afternoon, may 8th, 2021, when he was reportedly hit by two vehicles while cycling in the village of campton hills, a western suburb of chicago. jahn was pronounced dead at the scene aged 81.

the thompson center, chicago, illinois, the US (1985)

all images courtesy of JAHN

born in 1940 in a town near nuremberg, germany, jahn attended the technical university of munich before emigrating to chicago in 1966. as a graduate, he continued his studies at the illinois institute of technology. in 1967, jahn then joined chicago architecture practice C. F. murphy associates, which was renamed murphy/jahn in 1981 when jahn took over as president. the firm was later renamed JAHN. 

united airlines terminal 1 at o’hare international airport, illinois, the US (1986)

during his career, jahn amassed a diverse portfolio of projects from all over the world: from the sony center in berlin to suvarnabhumi airport in bangkok. however, jahn left the biggest impact on chicago with works such as the thompson center, which is currently up for sale, the xerox center, and the united airlines terminal 1 at o’hare international airport. 

sony center, berlin, germany (1993-2000)

as well as leaving his mark on the chicago skyline, jahn was also committed to teaching younger generations of architects. the award-winning architect taught at the university of illinois chicago campus, harvard university, yale university, and the illinois institute of technology.

suvarnabhumi airport, bangkok, thailand (1995-2005)

helmut jahn