F19

Chapter 18: Mies van der Rohe and the Significance of Fact

Introduction to Mies van der Rohe

• Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; later added his mother's name for recognition.

• Inspired by Dutch architect Berlage and the Prussian Neo-Classicism school.

• Unlike contemporaries like Le Corbusier, Mies was not educated in the Arts and Crafts ethos of Jugendstil.

• His early work influenced by his father’s stone mason business, trade school, and apprenticeships.

Quest for Architectural Truth

• Mies searched for the essence of architecture beyond mere form.

• Influenced by Aquinas's definition of truth: "Adequatio intellectus et rei" (the adequation of intellect and thing).

• Architecture should represent truth through the clarity of construction.

Early Career and Influences

• Brief apprenticeship under timber specialist and Hermannesque architect Behrens (1907).

• Familiar with Schinkel’s tradition and Berlage's attitudes toward architecture, focusing on honest construction.

• Notable works leading to the idea of "Baukunst" (architecture as philosophical ideal).

Early Works and Projects

• Opened own office after leaving Behrens in 1911.

• Designed first house in Berlin (1914), showcasing Schinkelesque aesthetic.

• Created a project inspired by Paul Scheerbart's glass architecture; significant transformative intentions.

Page 2: The Response to Expressionism

Mies's Artistic Evolution

• Shift in Mies's work amidst post-World War I turmoil; sought progressive architecture.

• Engaged in the radical Novembergruppe aiming to revitalize arts in Germany.

• Experimented with glass forms highlighting reflections rather than light and shadow effects.

Skyscraper Projects of the 1920s

• Proposed glass skyscraper at Friedrichstrasse Station, characterized by prismatic, triangular forms.

• Emphasized architectural play of reflections and dynamic surfaces rather than raw illumination.

Characteristics of Mies's Design Methodology

• Mies responded to functional needs while also incorporating philosophical elements in designing.

• His proposals illustrated the potential of glass-skinned buildings allowing for flexible light play and functional utility.

Page 3: Adopting New Materials and Forms

Transition to Concrete and Functionality

• Mies's later works utilized concrete forms and free plans effectively to adapt to modern needs.

• Addressed complex urban demands through flexible, conducive designs.

Swaying Between Expressionism and Modernism

• Tension existed between maintaining expressive aesthetics from early works and pivoting to more structural clarity in design.

• Mies's architecture represents unity amongst diverse influences while reflecting his specific ideologies.

Notable Architectural Works in Europe and Context

• His works culminated in significant constructions celebrated for innovative use of modern materials.

• The Barcelona Pavilion (1929) exemplified his venture into elemental forms, emphasizing spatial clarity.

• Tugendhat House (1930) illustrated a seamless integration of space, architecture, and art.

Page 4: The Impact of Crafted Symbolism

Exploration of Modernist Ideologies

• Mies's ethos involving spirituality found expression through various projects while striving for deeper meanings.

• The basis of his designs revolved around how to assert value amidst evolving cultural landscapes.

Proposals for Future Architectural Directions

• Mies foresaw a synthesis of technology and beauty in architecture, aiming for functional yet aesthetically striking forms.

• Supported the idea of a modern aesthetic challenge against traditional values within constructs.

Page 5: Defining the Modern Architectural Landscape

Monumentality and Modernism

• Between the mid-1930s and 1950s, Mies culminated in a design language emphasizing symmetry in architecture.

• Sought to focus on monumentality while effectively integrating modern techniques into form.

Reichsbank Project and Symbolism

• Mies's design for the Reichsbank (1933) showcased a shift towards a monumentalized approach to architecture, merging principles of transparency and technique.

• Connected new buildings to the historical legacies of architecture whilst innovating through structural modernity.

Responses to Eclectic Architectural Influences

• Mies’s work adapted a plethora of influences including Berlage and De Stijl while still nurturing a distinct voice.

• His later works integrated earlier learnings with contemporary practices establishing a meaningful dialogue in architectural relevance.

Page 6: Mies and the Evolution of Technique

Mies’s Philosophy of Architecture

• Advocated that architecture expresses a cultural mindset, as "the will of the epoch".

• Saw technology as a medium for architectural expression that transcended mere utility.

The Role of Glass and Structure

• Mies's glass expanses intended to evoke transparency juxtaposed with structural integrity.

• Developed skills creating an architectural language maintaining a balance between visual dynamics and material honesty.

Page 7: Mies’s Lasting Legacy

Shift in Architectural Ideology

• Mies’s preference evolved towards monumental forms emphasizing a contradiction between organic growth versus intentional delineation in architectural design.

• His works embraced social changes while laying groundwork for modern edifices.

The International Style and Its Adoption

• Mies significantly contributed to defining the International Style through seamless integration of form and function.

• Fostered an architectural approach that incorporated changes in lifestyles within urban development frameworks.