Ludwig Mies Van De Rohe

Who was Mies van der Rohe?

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969) was a pioneering architect
and one of the most influential figures in the development of
modern architecture.
Born in Aachen, Germany, Mies began his career working in the
office of renowned architect Peter Behrens, where he was
exposed to the principles of modern design and industrial
architecture.
Bauhaus Connection:
Mies van der Rohe was closely associated
with the Bauhaus, a progressive art and
design school in Germany. He served as
the director of the Bauhaus School in
Dessau from 1930 until it closed in 1933
under pressure from the Nazi regime. The
Bauhaus's emphasis on merging art, craft,
and technology strongly influenced
Mies's architectural philosophy.
Less is More:
Mies van der Rohe is often associated
with the phrase "less is more," which
encapsulates his minimalist approach
to design. He believed in stripping
architecture down to its essential
elements, emphasizing simplicity,
clarity, and functionality. He believed
in the importance of precision and
craftsmanship in architecture.
Steel and Glass
Mies van der Rohe is renowned for his use
of steel and glass in his designs, which
allowed him to create buildings with
minimal structural elements and
maximum transparency. His innovative
use of these materials helped define the
aesthetic of the International Style and
influenced generations of architects.
Key Works:
Farnsworth House
(1951)

Barcelona Pavilion Seagram Building

(1929) (1958)
Philip
Johnson
Who was Philip Johnson?
Philip Johnson (1906–2005) was an American architect,
architectural critic, and curator known for both his promotion of
the International Style and, later, for his role in defining
postmodernist architecture.
He openly credited Mies for his own building, Johnson began a
long history of using other architect's ideas as the basis for his
own designs. Of Mies's influence, Johnson later wrote: "the idea of
a glass house comes from Mies van der Rohe.
Modernist Period:
Johnson's early architectural work was
influenced by the modernist movement,
particularly the International Style. He
collaborated with architect Ludwig Mies
van der Rohe on the design of the iconic
Seagram Building in New York City (1958),
which is celebrated for its sleek glass
facade and minimalist aesthetic.
Prominence as a
Critic and Curator:
Johnson was a prolific architectural
critic and curator. He wrote
extensively on architecture and
design, and his exhibitions at MoMA,
including "The International Style"
(1932) and "Deconstructivist
Architecture" (1988).
The Glass House