Ludwig Mies van der Rohe dining chairs

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, known for his groundbreaking use of modernist principles and minimalist design. His work and philosophy have left a deep mark on both the architecture and design world, making him a central figure in the history of modernism. 

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 1886 – 1969 

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was born in 1886 in Aachen, Germany. He began his career by working in his father's stonemasonry and later as an apprentice to architect Peter Behrens. In the 1930s, Mies became the last director of the Bauhaus, a groundbreaking school for modernist art, design, and architecture. The Bauhaus was known for uniting artistic creativity with functional design, and he played a central role in shaping its direction. 

After the rise of Nazism, which strongly opposed modernism, Mies emigrated to the USA. There, he took a position as head of the architecture program at what is now the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago. At IIT, he developed a series of innovative buildings characterized by their clean lines and use of modern materials such as steel and glass. 

"Less is more" 

Mies van der Rohe developed a design philosophy that emphasized simplicity and functionality. His motto, "less is more," encapsulates his pursuit of eliminating the superfluous and focusing on clean lines and open spaces. One of his most famous works is the Farnsworth House in Illinois, USA, built between 1945 and 1951. This house, with its glass walls and simple structures, perfectly illustrates his minimalist aesthetic. 

Mies van der Rohe's iconic collaboration with Knoll 

Mies van der Rohe also had a significant impact on furniture design. For the American company Knoll, he designed several iconic pieces of furniture, including the famous Barcelona chair and the Barcelona stool. These pieces combine elegant simplicity with functionality and remain popular design classics. The stool, with its clean lines and quality materials, is an excellent example of how he transferred his architectural principles to furniture design. 

Throughout his career, he also worked on creating flexible and open indoor environments. His design of the daybed for Knoll is another iconic piece that exemplifies his philosophy. The daybed, with its minimalist aesthetic and high-quality materials, offers both comfort and style, and it is widely used in modern interiors. 

Ludwig died in 1969, but his legacy lives on through his groundbreaking buildings and timeless furniture. His contributions to architecture and design have left an indelible impact, and his works continue to be admired and studied by both professionals and enthusiasts.