MIES VAN DER ROHE: The Structure of Space

Famed for his motto "less is more," Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) was one of the founding fathers of modern architecture and a hotly debated tastemaker of 20th century aesthetics and urban experience. This book presents more than 20 of Mies van der Rohe's projects from the period 1906-1967 to introduce his groundbreaking practise and influence in both America and Europe. His philosophy was one of underlying truth in pure forms and proportions. With the help of contemporary technological and material developments, he sought a stripped-down purity to architecture, showcased by the likes of the Seagram Building and Farnsworth House, Bismarck Monument, Barcelona Pavilion, Alexanderplatz Competition, Reichsbank Extension, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lakeshore Drive Apartments in Chicago, Crown Hall, Lafayette Park, New National Gallery, Toronto Dominion Centre, and Mansion House Square and Office Tower among them, plus maps and life and work in a handy chronology. Some spoke out against this stark approach as the precursor to bland, generic cityscapes. Others cite Mies van der Rohe as the ultimate master of an abidingly elegant essence. Packed with colour and mostly quality archive photos and drawings, maps, 21 x 26cm, 96 pages. New from Taschen.