Utilitarianism and the Rise of International Modernism

Utilitarianism and the Rise of International Modernismwhat did mies mean by less is more? Critically review evans article on mies Barcelona pavilion: what insight(s) did you gain? Now write your own critical analysis of mies Barcelona pavilionTable of Contents Architects Brief

Less is More

Insights from Mies van Der Rohes Paradoxical Symmetries article by Robin Evans

Critical analysis of Mies Barcelona PavilionArchitects BriefLudwig mies van der rohe Was born March 27 1886 German architect Famous for the Less is More quote Notable works: Barcelona PavilionFarnsworth HouseIIT Architecture SchoolSeagram Building

http://theredlist.com/media/database/design-categorie/here-and-now/1910-1920/german-bahaus/mies_van_der_rohe/028-mies-van-der-rohe-theredlist.jpg

Notable Works

Barcelona Pavilionhttp://figure-ground.com/data/mies_pavilion/0011.jpgIIT Architecture Schoolhttp://www.archdaily.com/59816/ad-classics-iit-master-plan-and-buildings-mies-van-der-rohe/crownhall/Farnsworth Househttp://www.dailyicon.net/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/farnsworth3.jpgSeagram Buildinghttps://www.incollect.com/sites/uploads/07SEAGRAM1-superJumbo.jpg

Less is More Peter Behrens, regarded as the first industrial designer in history First implied by Mies on the AEG Turbine Factory west elevation Reducing building elements to its simplest forms Emphasizing simplicity and minimalism Defines modernist ethics AEG Turbine Factory, West Courtyard http://www.phaidon.com/resource/mies-p38-2.jpg

Insights from Evans Article Asymmetry

Rational structure

Physical but bodiless

The horizonAsymmetry Almost symmetrical site, asymmetrical building

Asymmetrical elements obstructs the supposed-to-be symmetrical building

Asymmetrical building layout as a response to the site

Barcelona Pavilion Floor Planhttp://adrogues.com/2590/barcelona-pavilion-plan/amazing-barcelona-pavilion-plan-on-architecture-design-with-barcelona-pavilion-plan-dwg/

Rational Structure 8 columns to support the roof, without burdening the walls

Walls as the form of expression

Mies: To me, structure is something like logic.

Barcelona Pavilion Floor plan with Columns https://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/737/flashcards/1852737/jpg/germanpavi_plan1354670259932.jpg

Physical but Bodiless The perception of light and depth

The drawn elevation of Barcelona Pavilion cannot provide any ideas of what the building is like

As things become simpler, emptier, the mind dwells on the little that remains

Barcelona Pavilion Elevation https://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/737/flashcards/1852737/jpg/germanpavi_plan1354670259932.jpg

The Horizon The horizontal symmetry of Barcelona Pavilion is very apparent

The plane of symmetry is very close to eye-level

Very coherent to perspective

Barcelona Pavilionhttp://figure-ground.com/data/mies_pavilion/0013.jpg

Mies Initial Sketch of Barcelona Pavilion

Redrawing Mies sketch to understand his way of thinking

All elements of Barcelona Pavilion are present in this sketch

Capturing the general concept of Mies vision of what the pavilion will beCritical Analysis The floor grid

The choice of color

The pursue of Picturesque

Reflectivity and transparencyThe Floor Grid Serves as datum grids

Coherence in the building

Emphasizing the structural rationalityBarcelona Pavilion Floor Planhttp://adrogues.com/2590/barcelona-pavilion-plan/amazing-barcelona-pavilion-plan-on-architecture-design-with-barcelona-pavilion-plan-dwg/

The Choice of Colour White coloured roof = signifies lightness

Solidly coloured walls = signifies an aggressive definition of space

Light coloured floor slab = emphasizing horizontality

Barcelona Pavilion http://figure-ground.com/data/mies_pavilion/0010.jpg

The Pursue of Picturesque Tranquillity and sublimity

Aesthetically sophisticated

A piece of inhabitable architecture

Barcelona Pavilion Bronze Statuehttp://www.urbansplatter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201111-Spain-Barcelona-4.jpg

Reflectivity and Transparency Curtain walls

Chrome columns

Reflective pools

Sets a value towards elegance

Interior viewhttp://www.cjwalsh.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Barcelona-Pavilion_Mies-van-der-Rohe1929.jpg