A Biography/Critique featuring Mies van der Rohe

The unassuming book that this blog post is based upon (loaded with information!) 

Mies van der Rohe: Critical Essays - Franz Schulze

In this compilation of essays and testimonials regarding Mies, it is a common thread to say that Mies was truly the trailblazer of modern architecture. 

  1. It is widely believed that modern architecture was sparked by the combination of socialist and Marxist ideology. 
  2. Also, Mies was known to be particularly conservative about his words and said to be "insistent on impersonality" - preferring to focus on his work. 
  3. In addition, his collaboration with Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius pioneered what is considered "international style," used all around the world today and associated with more modern design techniques. 
  4. Using his "skin-and-bones" ideals of primarily using steel and glass, Mies prioritizes maximum flexibility in the buildings' usages and wants to increase the utility of every space. 

Citation: Schulze, Franz. Mies Van Der Rohe: Critical Essays. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1990.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Exterior of the Villa Tugendhat

Image
The Villa Tugendhat is not only impressive to aspiring architects fascinated with its trailblazing properties, but also to casual onlookers on the street. Built on a slight incline, this modern masterpiece was originally built in 1930 with reinforced concrete and steel rails, along with (at that time) rare floor-to-ceiling windows. In 1993, the Villa Tugendhat Fund and Friends of Tugendhat were created to preserve and return the house to its original look and glory, opening the villa up to the public.  A picture from the 1900's documenting the previous state of Villa Tugendhat A drone shot of the exterior of the house (notice the greenery and straight lines) A great view of the shimmering glass as well as one of the accent pillars throughout the Haus A side view of the Villa
View Post »

Past and Present Usages of the Villa Tugendhat

Image
Fritz Tugendhat and his wife, Greta (the original users of the Villa) When the Villa Tugendhat was first constructed, it was built in a wealthy neighborhood and meant to be used as a living space for Fritz Tugendhat and his wife, Greta Tugendhat. Over the years, this icon of modern architecture has evolved into a tourist attraction in the Czech Republic, for it is the only local example included in UNESCO's list of World Cultural Heritage sites.  In 2019, the Villa Tugendhat is open for the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with the popular interior tour tickets almost sold out for the rest of the year. The primary usage of this building is to allow tourists to witness one of the earliest examples of modern architecture, but the secondary usage of the Villa Tugendhat is to serve as a reminder that modern style originated more than 80 years ago (and how it continues to evolve). In addition, the house is used for public movie screenings, live music concert
View Post »