Decorating
Iconic Designs: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Chair
One of the great pieces of modern furniture, its clean lines and angles make it instantly recognisable
This series takes a look at some of the most famous and cherished designs of the past century. From classic chairs to statement lighting, discover the backstory to some of the design world’s most recognisable pieces and browse ways to use them in modern settings.
Made by a master of design for Spanish royalty, the Barcelona chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe has become one of the most prominent icons of Modernist design. German-born architect Mies, as he was known, designed the German Pavilion for the Barcelona Exposition of 1929, and the Barcelona chair was made in collaboration with his-then partner Lilly Reich to go inside it, on the off chance that King Alfonso XIII of Spain and his wife, Ena, might need a rest while visiting the Pavilion. The rest is furniture history…
Made by a master of design for Spanish royalty, the Barcelona chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe has become one of the most prominent icons of Modernist design. German-born architect Mies, as he was known, designed the German Pavilion for the Barcelona Exposition of 1929, and the Barcelona chair was made in collaboration with his-then partner Lilly Reich to go inside it, on the off chance that King Alfonso XIII of Spain and his wife, Ena, might need a rest while visiting the Pavilion. The rest is furniture history…
Changing his name
To consolidate his transition to a prominent architect working among the German elite, Mies changed his name to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He took his Mother’s maiden name ‘Rohe’, and added the Dutch prefix ‘van der’ to give the illusion of aristocratic lineage.
To consolidate his transition to a prominent architect working among the German elite, Mies changed his name to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He took his Mother’s maiden name ‘Rohe’, and added the Dutch prefix ‘van der’ to give the illusion of aristocratic lineage.
Mies and Modernism
While he designed very traditional homes for his clients, Mies simultaneously worked on various projects that pioneered a totally new and adventurous modern style.
While he designed very traditional homes for his clients, Mies simultaneously worked on various projects that pioneered a totally new and adventurous modern style.
The German Pavilion
One of the most famous of these projects was the German Pavilion, designed for the 1929 International Exposition held in Barcelona, Spain. International Expositions offer a showcase for countries to exhibit new and exciting ideas, and The German Pavilion officially opened the German section of the exhibition. His design put Mies firmly on the map as one of the foremost architects of the International Style.
One of the most famous of these projects was the German Pavilion, designed for the 1929 International Exposition held in Barcelona, Spain. International Expositions offer a showcase for countries to exhibit new and exciting ideas, and The German Pavilion officially opened the German section of the exhibition. His design put Mies firmly on the map as one of the foremost architects of the International Style.
New thinking
The International Style is an architectural movement that emerged in the 1920s and ’30s and is characterised by simple lines, lightweight structures and minimal ornamentation.
The International Style is an architectural movement that emerged in the 1920s and ’30s and is characterised by simple lines, lightweight structures and minimal ornamentation.
A thoroughly modern chair
The Barcelona Chair was specially designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich to sit inside his German Pavilion. Its design was daringly modern; a far cry from the more traditional and elaborate furniture of the time. Its clean lines and stainless steel make it one of the great pieces of furniture of the modern movement.
Check out Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair
The Barcelona Chair was specially designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich to sit inside his German Pavilion. Its design was daringly modern; a far cry from the more traditional and elaborate furniture of the time. Its clean lines and stainless steel make it one of the great pieces of furniture of the modern movement.
Check out Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair
Royal lineage
The chair’s design was conceived with royalty in mind. To that end it took its inspiration from a Roman folding stool, known as a Curule seat, a chair that had strong connotations of power during the Roman times. Mies said, ‘I feel that it must be possible to harmonise the old and new in our civilisation.’
The chair’s design was conceived with royalty in mind. To that end it took its inspiration from a Roman folding stool, known as a Curule seat, a chair that had strong connotations of power during the Roman times. Mies said, ‘I feel that it must be possible to harmonise the old and new in our civilisation.’
Mies redesigned the chair in 1950 using modern techniques that allowed it to be crafted from one single piece of steel, rather than multiple pieces bolted together. The cushion that had originally been in pigskin was also changed to cow leather. Mies ceded his rights to the design in 1953 to Knoll, who took up the chair and continue to manufacture it today in stainless steel and chrome.
TELL US…
Where would you have the Barcelona chair in your home? Let us know in the Comments below.
TELL US…
Where would you have the Barcelona chair in your home? Let us know in the Comments below.
Born Maria Ludwig Michael Mies in 1886, he was the son of a German stone-carver and never received a formal university education. He moved to Berlin as a young man to work under various designers, where his own talents were soon recognised. He began to receive independent commissions, and was soon designing the homes of the German upper-classes.