Most readers are likely familiar with the Barcelona Chair and Stool, some of the most iconic Mid Century Modern furnishings ever made. The chair and stool take their name from the Barcelona Pavilion, the structure for which they were originally designed. All three were the works of German designers Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich.
We have already discussed the Barcelona Chair and Stool in depth in the post linked above. In this post, we are going to take a closer look at the Barcelona Pavilion.
Expressing the Weimar Republic
Between November 9, 1918, and March 23, 1933, Germany was known as the “Weimar Republic.” Even with its economic struggles following World War I, for a time, the country was trying to be progressive and pacifistic in its values.
So, when Commissioner Georg von Schnitzler asked architects Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich to design a pavilion for the opening of the German section of the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona, he requested that its design provide “voice to the spirit of a new era.”
For this reason—as well as for practical ones—Mies’ vision for the Barcelona Pavilion was to function as “an ideal zone of tranquility.” Attendees could pause for a moment there to relax in the serene environment before continuing on to explore the rest of the exhibition.
Design and Features
As the photo above does a good job of showing, it is hard to state definitively what is part of the “interior” of the Barcelona Pavilion versus the “exterior.” The floor of the structure is a travertine plinth. This plinth extends around the building to form a large patio with a pool.
The roof appears to “hover” thanks to the slender design of the chrome columns. Indeed, at a casual glance, it is easy to miss them altogether.
The Barcelona Pavilion is not fully enclosed. Much of the structure is wide open to its surroundings. The thin plates of the walls also add to the impression of a floating roof. They break up the space and guide a visitor through it, rather than creating a distinct “indoors” or “outdoors.”
Some of the materials used for the dividers included Tinos verede antico marble, golden onyx, and translucent and tinted glass. The sculpture in the Barcelona Pavilion is Dawn (Der Morgen) by Georg Kolbe. The furnishings are, of course, the Barcelona series. These furnishings draw inspiration from historical Roman curules and Egyptian folding stools. Like the pavilion itself, they are simultaneously simple and sumptuous.
Today’s Replica
As is the case with many other structures designed for International Expositions, the original Barcelona Pavilion no longer exists. It was demolished in 1930.
Modern photos of the Barcelona Pavilion are actually showing a replica that was constructed between 1983 and 1986 by the Mies van der Rohe Foundation. While the reconstruction is accurate, it is worth emphasizing that it is not the original building.
The Mies van der Rohe Foundation hosts “Art Interventions” at the pavilion. These are small exhibits and modifications that use the architecture in some way. Not only does the architecture impact how the installments are experienced, but these exhibits can also change how we perceive the building itself.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like S.R. Crown Hall: Welcome to a Miesian Masterpiece and Take a Tour of Mies van der Rohe’s East Coast Buildings. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!
