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All the United States Illinois Evanston Little Northwestern

Little Northwestern

A student designed this 3D-printed scale replica of the entire university campus.

Evanston, Illinois

Added By
Anthony Settipani
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  Anthony Settipani / Atlas Obscura User
  Anthony Settipani / Atlas Obscura User
  Anthony Settipani / Atlas Obscura User
  Anthony Settipani / Atlas Obscura User
  Anthony Settipani / Atlas Obscura User
  Anthony Settipani / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, stretches across 231 acres of Lake Michigan's northern shoreline, combining an eclectic collection of verdant greenery, artificial lagoons, Midwestern beaches, and several eras of American architectural design into a single, unified whole.

Ever since 2012, those who don't have the time to visit all of those sights in person could satisfy themselves with a three-dimensional, bird's-eye view over the entire campus, thanks to a 3D-printed scale model of the university that was printed right next to the building it now calls home.

Located in the lobby of Northwestern's sprawling Technological Institute (simply called "Tech" by the students who study and work there), the meticulously detailed replica is the work of a former undergraduate student named Ben Rothman. What started as a simple way to blow off steam—building a life-sized copy of his freshman dormitory in Minecraft—became a full-scale homage to the university at large, with Rothman adding building after building until he had constructed the entirety of the campus.

With the school's blessing, Rothman later brought his digital Northwestern to life using a 3D printer housed within the university's Rapid Prototyping Lab. The model is now proudly displayed behind glass for all Tech visitors to see.

Related Tags

3d Models Miniatures Universities Technology

Know Before You Go

The Minecraft map is currently off display due to renovations. Once it is back on display (to be updated here), to visit Rothman's work, walk through the front entrance of Northwestern's Technological Institute, located at 2145 Sheridan Road, and walk straight ahead to the doors of Ryan Auditorium. There you'll find the model housed in a glass display case against the wall beside the doors.

Community Contributors

Added By

Anthony Settipani

Edited By

reeserich, Odysseus

  • reeserich
  • Odysseus

Published

January 16, 2019

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Sources
  • http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/story/student-recreates-north-campus-in-minecraft/
  • https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/magazine/fall-2012/printed-in-3d.html
Little Northwestern
2145 Sheridan Rd
Evanston, Illinois
United States
42.05782, -87.676063
Get Directions

Nearby Places

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Evanston

Evanston

Illinois

Places 8
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Northwestern University Shakespeare Garden

Evanston, Illinois

miles away

Grosse Point Lighthouse

Evanston, Illinois

miles away

Halim Time & Glass Museum

Evanston, Illinois

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Evanston

Evanston

Illinois

Places 8
Stories 1

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