Stone Icons | Barcelona Pavilion 1929 | Mies van der Rohe

Designed by modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in collaboration with Lilly Reich, this (almost) century old, ground-breaking building continues to inspire architects and designers today. The Pavilion, created for the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona, was a revolutionary concept, offering visitors a “zone of tranquility” amidst the bustling exposition.

Mies, renowned for his tenure as the last director of the influential Bauhaus School, combined art with simplicity in this design. The Pavilion’s minimalist form, using natural stone, glass, and wood, reflects Mies’s belief in architectural purity and clarity.

Having grown up in a family of stonemasons, Mies’s childhood exposure to different types of marble and minerals influenced his use of materials in the Pavilion. The interior features a harmonious blend of green alpine marble, Roman travertine, ancient green marble from Greece, and golden onyx from the Atlas Mountains, creating a visually stunning and textured environment. Mies and Reich meticulously experimented with wall placements to achieve precise visual effects and bookmatching, adding to the Pavilion’s allure.

Initially intended to serve as the German delegation’s exhibition space, the Pavilion was only meant to stand for the duration of the Exhibition. However, its architectural significance led to its reconstruction between 1983 and 1986 based on original plans and photographs, allowing modern visitors to experience this landmark of modern architecture.

Mies van der Rohe’s philosophy of “skin and bones” architecture, emphasizing a minimal framework with generous open space, is epitomized in this 1929 structure. His famous adages “less is more” and “God is in the details” aptly apply to the Pavilion, illustrating Mies’s enduring influence on contemporary architecture and design.