Mies van der Rohe (Architect)
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a German architect, born in 1886 and active from 1920's to the 1960's. He died in 1969.
He created buildings and skyscrapers for Berlin (where there is a continental climate) that became the modernist style and have been called, by William McDonough (an American architect), when transferred to America 'vertical gas chambers' because of their lack of opening windows for ventilation, and their all-glass facade which would overheat on most days, especially in the summer causing discomfort and thermal stress for their occupants.
He had a number of well-known sayings which have been frequently misinterpreted as "less is more", so all you get is a roof, floor, and glass walls around the outside. The more is the aesthetic or emotional response with many people appreciating this look. He said "God lies in the details" to mean that you must work to get the details right (to give the best look or aesthetic emotional response), and in so doing seeking and finding God.
He spent a lot of time designing the Barcelona chair that is used in many waiting rooms and movies, even to the extent of going back in his 60's and trying to improve it, saying it was the hardest thing he had designed in his life. The author assumes this is because we use a chair differently to how we use buildings, and at different times need much more of a chair and others much less.
His notable buildings include:
- Seagram building (shown below, a skyscraper, that many others copied)
- Farnsworth house, for Dr Farnsworth, who insisted on walls between the bedroom and kitchen.
He moved to Chicago in the late-1930s and drew upon the International Style for some of his most celebrated modernist works. The AMA Plaza (formerly the IBM Plaza), was his last building and exemplifies his trademark minimalist aesthetic.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
ECA Industry Awards 2024 shortlist revealed
22 leading businesses from across the electrotechnical and engineering services sector.
Government unveils Skills England strategy
Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
New Government Hub for York Given Planning Green Light
For up to 2,600 civil servants, due for completion by 2028.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards
July update on Professionally Qualified and Academically Qualified Person Cards.
BSRIA Briefing 2024, November 22
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
The CLC on driving competency in the retrofit sector
Previously published roadmap on skills for net zero.
The first labour government King's speech in fifteen years
Construction industry reactions, support and some concern.
CIOB Retrofit of Buildings Technical Information Sheet
What retrofit is, the approach to be taken and processes to be followed.
Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency
Historic England advice note 18, free download published.
10 retrofit projects revisited 10 years after completion.
Information orders, building liability orders and SPVs
Key BSA terms and how they impact special purpose vehicles.
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.