Natural Beauty | Jason R Woods | Architectural Photography

John Deere World Headquarters in Moline, Illinois by architects Eero Saarinen and John Dinkeloo. Photo by Jason R. Woods.

The “Modern” movement in architecture is defined by a number of things, but one of the main ingredients is a focus on technology and innovative materials. Although COR-TEN was developed by U.S. Steel Corp. in the 1930’s, it is likely that the Depression and wars prevented any large-scale use of an uncharted material. Post-War America was just the time and place for experimentation with new and old materials, which is where the Eero Saarinen (& Associates) comes into play.

On the 1950s, John Deere & Company’s President William Hewitt hatched the idea to use weathering steel on their new world headquarters complex in Moline, Illinois. Eero Saarinen was already world famous at the time and seemed like an obvious choice for the job. The result is a series of three buildings with familiar curtain wall, but is framed entirely with COR-TEN steel, and now features a 50 year old oxidized patina. I won’t pretend to fully understand the technical process that enables COR-TEN to rust without completely eroding the metal, but what it does aesthetically is blend the facility in with the maticulously designed landscape by Hideo Sasaki.

John Deere HQ is the first architectural project to utilize COR-TEN, and it is perhaps the best example. Eero Saarinen was unfortunately not around to see the final product, as he passed during construction in 1961. Partners at the firm, Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo would oversee the final stages of the project, along with nearly a dozen other projects in progress at the time.

John Deere World Headquarters in Moline, Illinois by architects Eero Saarinen and John Dinkeloo. Photo by Jason R. Woods.

Landscaping designed by Hideo Sasaki at John Deere World Headquarters in Moline, Illinois. Photo by Jason R. Woods.

John Deere World Headquarters in Moline, Illinois by architects Eero Saarinen and John Dinkeloo. Photo by Jason R. Woods.

From inside any of the buildings, users are treated with louvre-controlled daylight from the endless windows, and are surrounded by natural beauty. The result is a peaceful and invigorating experience, and I imagine is a joy to work in.

Inside John Deere World Headquarters in Moline, Illinois by architects Eero Saarinen and John Dinkeloo. Photo by Jason R. Woods.