Monday, April 18, 2011

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Pioneering Master of Modern Architecture

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe or most commonly referred to as Mies by colleagues, friends and students sought to establish a new architectural style that would represent Modern times. He created an architectural style based on his philosophy "skin and bones". He made use of materials such as industrial steel and plate glass in order to define interior spaces. He wanted his architecture to have minimal framework balanced against the freedom of free - flowing space. He is often associated with "Less is more" and "God is in the details"

Born in Aachen, Germany in 1886, he worked for his father in their family's stone carving business before joining the office of Bruno Paul in Berlin and afterwards the studio Peter Behrens. He worked at Peter Behrens from 1908 to 1912. Under the latter's influence Mies developed an approach based on advanced structural techniques and Prussian Classicism. He was also a supporter of the Russian Constructivism and Dutch De Stijl Group. He borrowed ideas from Karl Schinkel especially in the post and lintel construction for his designs in steel and glass.

The Magazine G which started in July 1923, Mies was a part of that and made significant contributions to architectural philosophies of the late 1920's and 1930's as the artistic director of Weissonhof project and as the director of the Bauhaus. Famous for his line "Less is more", Mies strived to create spaces that are contemplative and neutral through a style that is based on material honesty and the integrity of the structure. In the last twenty years of his life Mies achieved his philospohy of "Skin and Bone" his later works showed that he was really dedicated into creating works that have the idea of a universal and simplified architecture.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe died in 1969 at Chicago, Illinois

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