Portrait of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1934. Photo by Hugo Erfurth. Wikimedia Commons.

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Ludwig Mies van der Rohe


 

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is a German – American he was born on March 27th the year 1886 and died on August 17th, 1969.

He was commonly referred to by his surname Mies. Along with Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Frank Lloyd Wright Mies were regarded as pioneers of modernist architecture.

He designed the Barcelona Pavilion, Seagram Building, 860-880 Lake Shore Drive, and Farnsworth House, and is known better for his aphorisms “Less is more” and God is in details.

Here are 10 Remarkable facts about Ludwig Mies van der Rohe:

1. Ludwig Mies first worked at his father’s stone carving shop

Mies first worked for his father’s stone-carving shop and at several local design firms before he to Berlin where he joined the office of interior designer Bruno Paul.

The job gave him a unique sense of materials which he showcased in his famous Barcelona Pavilion.

However, he began his architectural career as an apprentice at the studio of Peter Behrens from the year 1908 to 1912.

It was where Mies was exposed to the current design theories and to progressive German culture.

2. Ludwig Mies never received any formal architectural education

Birthplace of Ludwig at Steinkaulstrasse 29 in Aachen. Photo by PBrandis. Wikimedia Commons.

He never received any formal architecture education or even higher education. Simply because his family could financially not support it.

However, he worked as an apprentice in local design firms and that is how Mies got into the profession.

3. Ludwig Mies changed his name when he was 30 years old

Mies at the age of 30 when he was transforming into a full-fledged architect decided to change his name from Ludwig Mies to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

However, Mies is his father’s family name and Rohe is his mother’s family name and the Dutch “van der” is a reminder of his German origins and the neighboring Netherlands.

4. Ludwig Mies was Featured in the playboy magazine

Between the years 1953 and 1979, playboy magazine began featuring prominent architects.

Believing the skills associated with the quite influential profession to be seductive.

Mies van der Rohe was among the many featured architects in the magazine along with Frank Lloyd Wright, Buckminster Fuller, Eero Saarinen, and others.

5.  Mies died a year before he expressed his desire to build a Cathedral

Mies van der Rohe school in Aachen in Germany.Photo by Túrelio. Wikimedia Commons.

A year before his death in the year 1969, Ludwig Mies expressed his desire to build a Cathedral.

However, he died just a few weeks after his colleague and rival Gropius had died.

His grandson and student Dirk Lohan succeeded him in the business along with two partners.

6. His ideal structure in New York was the George Washington Bridge

In the city of New York, the ideal structure for Mies van der Rohe was the George Washington Bridge. Which he thought to be truly expressive of its time.

He later claimed it was the most modern building in the city. In addition, he has gained great recognition for his work like the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He was awarded this honor in 1963 which is an award bestowed by the president of the United States to recognize people who have made a meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States.

In addition, the award honors world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

7. His aphorism “less is more” was not originally from Ludwig Mies

Bust for Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Photo by Assenmacher. Wikimedia Commons.

Mies van der Rohe was not actually the originator of the phrase “less is more”. However, it was Peter Behrens who was considered to be the first industrial designer and a godfather figure to Mies.

He was drafted to work on the aspects of the AEG Turbine Factory in Berlin between the years 1907 and 1910.

And while Mies was working on the courtyard elevation he first came across the then infamous expression that less is more.

8. He had six favorite projects of his work

Ludwig Mies, six favorite projects of his works include the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Crown hall which is a single glass-walled room measuring 120 feet by 220 feet and spanned by four huge trusses, and the Chicago Federal Center.

It is Mies largest complex of high and low-rise buildings, the Seagram building which distinctly illustrates his aphorism “less is more”.

Two 26-storied apartment house towers at 860 and 880 Lake Shore Drive that overlooks Lake Michigan, the Chicago convention Hall which is a place for 50000 people to gather in unobstructed space under a trussed roof 720 feet square.

However this was never materialized, the since destroyed German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition at Barcelona.

9. He often went to the Kilns to select bricks he wanted while working on the monument to Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg

Ludwig Mies often went to the Kilns to select one by one the bricks that he wanted while working on the monument to Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg which is now destroyed.

He did this very act for suburban villas for wealthy businessmen and also for low-cost housing for the city of Berlins.

10. Ludwig Mies devised the three-step education in terms of architecture and construction planning

Mies devised the three-step education beginning with crafts of drawing and construction leading to planning skills and also furnishing the theory of architecture.

He compared the founding principles of architecture, as described by the Roman writer and engineer.

However, Vitruvius in his book De Architectura in English means On Architecture were Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas, which can be translated in English as solidity, usefulness, and beauty.

Memorial plaque of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Photo by OTFW, Berlin. Wikimedia Commons.

In conclusion, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a true pioneer of Modern  Architecture.

He helped inspire other aspiring architects to dream big. His ability to create such a big name for himself without the proper education for the art is incredible.

His work is saved at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal, the Newberry Library in Chicago, and the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.