1929
Presented by Maria Sauvageau
The Barcelona Pavilion was designed by Mies van der Rohe. It was constructed between 1928 and 1929, and was opened on May 27, 1929. It was created for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. It was subsequently demolished in 1930, at the conclusion of the exposition. It was reconstructed though in 1959, staying true to the original design and site.
The Pavilion is constructed of 8 steel posts, one flat roof, curtain glass walling, and partition walls which are created from different types of marble, such as onyx, green marble, and travertine. The Barcelona Chair within was created specifically for this Pavilion.
His design ideas were based on an intention to pioneer a new sort of design which complimented the new materials and abilities particular to the age he found himself in. Mies strived for a simplification of form in his designs, which eliminated all ornament.
This Pavilion is therefore one of his best examples of simplicity and clarity. Every piece is placed in a particular way, one in which always serves more than one purpose. Planes seem to slide past each other, jutting the visitor from one space into the next.