Mies van der Rohe

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) is a key figure in architecture, known for his ‘less-is-more’ philosophy. In 1912, Mies opened his Berlin office, gaining acclaim for residential designs and skyscraper concepts. His German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona Expo used glass, stone, and metal, challenging architectural norms and showcasing the iconic Barcelona Chair designed for the royals of Spain. Until 1933, he was the Vice President of the Deutscher Werkbund and director of the Bauhaus. After moving to the U.S. in 1938, he led the architecture program at IIT, designed notable buildings like the Seagram Building, and mentored Florence Knoll, who received exclusive rights to his furniture.