An Old-Fashioned Library Expedition of the Villa Tugendhat

The print resources I used during my library session at the Architecture and Planning LIbrary

Mies Van Der Rohe: European Works - Rohe and Honey

Along with the Barcelona Pavilion, the Haus Tugendhat is characterized by the original black and white photographs that Mies devised before construction (shown below). On his rare visits back to Brno, Mies was known to cause the local craftsmen stress with his excessively particular demands for the building. During the planning process, everything from the construction material, interior design/detailing, and even pipework, was devised in Mies' office in Berlin. When the Villa Tugendhat was completed, the total cost of the project was 4 million Czech Crowns, surpassing the cost of 8 luxurious apartments at the time. This was due in part to the rich materials utilized inside the house, including Algerian Onyx, Swedish linen, and Indonesian mahogany. 

An example of Mies' black and white sketches when drafting the Haus Tugendhat

Citation: Rohe, Ludwig Mies van der, and Sandra Honey. Mies Van Der Rohe: European Works. New York: St. Martins Pr., 1986.

Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe - Arthur Drexler

This book focuses more on Mies' building style and philosophy, along with the feeling that a tourist would get if inhabiting the Villa Tugendhat. One of the principles Mies follows is apparent simplicity, allowing the walls to withdraw from the building and display chairs and tables as exhibition items. This emphasis on furniture is another one of Mies' passions, creating contemporary versions of traditional structures. Specifically, in the Haus Tugendhat, the purposeful placement on a sloping hill allows a stunning view of the surrounding town. Paired with the exposing windows, and open-concept living room, the semi-enclosed terrace offers a memorable view of the greenery outside. When considered with the meticulously crafted furniture, door handles, and even curtain tracks, one can clearly observe Mies' minimalist approach and his strict attention to detail.  

Citation: Drexler, Arthur, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe. New York: G. Braziller, 1960.