Micro Presentation

His Iconic Masterpiece

Micro Presentation

March 5, 2024

Carmen Accili

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Born March 27, 1886, Aachen, Germany—died August 17, 1969, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. German-born American architect whose rectilinear forms, crafted in simplicity, embodied the International Style of architecture.

"Less is More"

1. Barcelona Pavillion
2. Farnsworth House
3. Chicago Federal Complex
4. Crown Hall
5. Lafeyette Park

Most Famous Works

He started out as a draftsman before branching out later on his own. During World War I, Mies served in the German military. He then became a well-known architect in Germany, creating such structures as the German Pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona Exposition. In the late 1930s, Mies emigrated to the United States. There he created such well-known Modernist works as the Lake Shore Drive Apartments and the Seagram Building.

Micro Presentation

March 5, 2024

Carmen Accili

01. Synopsis

Started working for an architect in Berlin but then became an apprentice with Paul Bruno. He received his first commission, a traditional suburban house. Peter Behrens noticed Mie’s work for this suburban home and offered him a job in his office, where at the same time, Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier were also starting out. Mies established ties with The Deuscher Werkbund Association, which advocated “a marriage between art and technology.” These ideas motivated the “modern” movement in architecture that would soon culminate in the so-called International Style of modern architecture.

02.

Training and Influence

International Style, architectural style that developed in Europe and the United States in the 1920s and ’30s and became the dominant tendency in Western architecture during the middle decades of the 20th century. The most common characteristics of International Style buildings are rectilinear forms; light, stretched plane surfaces that have been completely stripped of applied ornamentation and decoration; open interior spaces; and a visually weightless quality. Glass and steel, in combination with usually less visible reinforced concrete, are the characteristic materials of construction.

03.

International Style

04.

Barcelona Pavilion

As part of the1929 International Exposition in Barcelona Spain, the Barcelona Pavilion, was the display of architecture's modern movement to the world. The pavilion was the face of Germany after WWI, emulating the nation’s progressively modern culture that was still rooted in its classical history Its elegant and sleek design combined with rich natural material presented Mies’ Barcelona Pavilion as a bridge into his future career, as well as architectural modernism.

His Iconic Masterpiece

05. Concept

Floating Room Concept

The floating rooms are supported by a column or may have no physical connection to the foundation, but their weight is transmitted to the main foundation (the walls and pillars that support the central building).

Free Plan Concept

Allows the designer to use columns and ceiling only for main building support without the idea of wall placement for support..

The Barcelona Pavilion has a low horizontal orientation that is accentuated by the low flat roof that appears to float over both the interior as well as the exterior. With the low roof projecting out over the exterior and the openness of the pavilion, there is a blurred spatial division where the interior and exterior mesh.

There were only two chairs made for the pavilion. It was conceived as a ceremonial chair; works best in an interior where it has space around it to breathe. It's truly a timeless chair.

The primary material is travertine. It wraps the plinth and the exterior walls adjacent to the reflecting pool. The travertine becomes illuminated almost as a secondary light source that dissolves the natural stone and washes the light over the space.

The Barcelona Pavilion is known for its very extravagant use of expensive materials. Eye-catching natural materials such as red and golden onyx, travertine, and marble are used throughout the walls and the floor.

06. Formal Aesthetic Analysis

The pavilion’s design is based on a formulaic grid system developed by Mies that not only serves as the patterning of the travertine pavers, but it also serves as an underlying framework that the wall systems work within.

Shape and Symmetry Green Alpine Marble is book matched creating interesting shapes that contrast the geometric shape in the pond

Balance and Value We see the shapes this pavilion creates to have balance. The light roof balancing out the black glass pond.

Movement Variety of open spaces and passages that encourage movement.

Line and Constrast Strong sense of verticality in the steel columns that contrast with the polished green tinian marble.

Formal Aesthetic Analysis

07. Interactive Portion

Virtual Exhibit

You can virtual move around the Barcelona Pavilion right through your computer! Link; https://miesbcn.com/the-pavilion/virtualtour/?cid=79