18 Questions
Who appointed Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as the director of the Bauhaus school in 1930?
Walter Gropius
In which year did Ludwig Mies van der Rohe become an American citizen?
1944
Which architect praised Mies van der Rohe for his respect and love, introducing him at a gala in 1938?
Frank Lloyd Wright
Which material was a significant feature of the Farnsworth House designed by Mies van der Rohe?
Glass walls
Which structure by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was celebrated for its design at the Illinois Institute of Technology?
Crown Hall
In which city was Ludwig Mies van der Rohe commissioned to design a weekend retreat that became the Farnsworth House?
Chicago
What is the iconic feature of the 860-880 North Lake Shore Drive towers?
Stunning waterfront view of Lake Michigan
In which city is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library located?
Washington D.C.
Which project in Detroit constitutes the world's largest collection of buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe?
Lafayette Park
What was the purpose of the building addition gifted by Nina J. Cullinan to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston?
To honor her parents as a memorial
Which city is home to the Neue Nationalgalerie, a museum designed by Mies van der Rohe?
Berlin, Germany
Which project is known for being Mies' first tall office building construction?
860-880 North Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois
Which building is known for embracing Mies van der Rohe's concept of a strong connection between structure and nature?
Farnsworth House
In which city is the Chicago Federal Complex located?
Chicago, Illinois
Which building is considered one of Mies van der Rohe's masterpieces illustrating his basic steel-and-glass construction technique?
Crown Hall
Where is the Seagram Building located?
New York, New York
Which building is home to the College of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology?
Crown Hall
What was the purpose of the Farnsworth House?
Weekend retreat
Study Notes
Mies' Career
- Mies' three-decade career in the USA included prominent buildings like the Seagram Building, the Promontory Apartments, and the Chicago Federal Complex.
- He also built notable buildings in Mexico and Canada, including the Bacardi Office Building and the Toronto Dominion Centre.
Notable Works
- Farnsworth House (1951) in Plano, Illinois: a weekend retreat that embodies Mies' concept of a strong connection between structure and nature, featuring all glass walls and a steel skeleton.
- Chicago Federal Complex in Chicago, Illinois: an example of Mies' incredible architectural legacy in the city.
- Crown Hall (1956) in Chicago, Illinois: a masterpiece that beautifully illustrates Mies' basic steel-and-glass construction technique, embodying his famous statement "less is more".
- Seagram Building (1958) in New York, New York: a 38-story building that set the standard for the modern skyscraper, embodying the principles of modernism.
- 860-880 North Lake Shore Drive (1949-1951) in Chicago, Illinois: iconic 26-story towers that redefined high-rise living for the post-war generation, offering stunning waterfront views.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (1972) in Washington D.C.: Mies' last building and only library, a rare example of modern architecture in the city.
- Lafayette Park (1959) in Detroit, Michigan: a 78-acre complex that constitutes the world's largest collection of buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe.
- Cullinan Hall at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (1954) in Houston, Texas: a building addition to the museum, gifted by Nina J. Cullinan as a memorial for her parents.
- Neue Nationalgalerie (1968) in Berlin, Germany: a museum designed for modern art, featuring a sculpture garden.
Early Life and Influences
- Mies built the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona, inspiring many modern-day buildings.
- In 1927, he organized a key exhibition at Deutscher Werkbund, focusing on building new housing solutions for modern cities.
- Mies helped lead the International Style movement of modern architecture alongside Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius.
- He was appointed as the director of the Bauhaus school in 1930 and moved to the USA, accepting residential commissions in Wyoming and Chicago.
- Frank Lloyd Wright praised Mies for his respect and love for him, introducing him at a gala held by the Institute in 1938.
Explore the architectural works of Mies van der Rohe, including iconic buildings such as the Seagram Building, Farnsworth House, and Toronto Dominion Centre. Learn about his contributions to modernist architecture in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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