Mies van der Rohe, born 1886 in Germany, is known for his leading role in developing modernism - large-scale changes in both technology and society. He began his architectural career in a studio working alongside two of the titans of modernism - Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier (link in the description). His famous phrase “less is more” is commonly used today, most people not knowing its origins.

He began to develop his style through the 1920s. This decade is best remembered for Mies van der Rohe by his, although unbuilt, all-glass Friedrichstraße skyscraper in 1921, and his 1929 Barcelona Pavilion.

Mies was director of the Bauhaus and served as its leader until it closed three years later due to pressure from the Nazi government. A year before this happened, Mies van der Rohes work work was exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art. This reinforced Mies’ role as a leader of the modernist movement, and brought the movement itself to a new, wider audience.

Mies emigrated to the USA in 1937 due to the continued rise of the Nazis in his home country. He became the head of the Illinois Institute of Technology for 20 years. While at IIT, he developed what is now commonly known as the “second Chicago school of architecture”, which was a group of simplified rectilinear high rise buildings such as 860-880 Lakeshore drive and the Seagram Building. He also continued to develop projects similar to his Barcelonian Pavilion such as the Farnsworth House - a completely transparent home which was completed in 1951.

The following 5 structures are some of Mies van der Rohes best designs

5) Villa Tugendhat
This historic, reinforced concrete building in the Czech Republic was built between 1928 and 1930. It soon became an icon for modernism.Mies used a revolutionary iron framework, which enabled him to dispense with supporting walls and arrange the interior in order to achieve a feeling of space and light.
4) Seagram Building
The Seagram Building epitomises elegance and the principles of modernism. The 38 storey building was his first attempt at tall office construction.
3) Farnsworth House
Designed in 1945 and constructed in 1951, the Farnsworth House is a vital part of American architecture, and a perfect representation of both the International Style of architecture as well as the modernists movement desire to juxtapose the sleek, streamline design of Modern structure with the organic environment of the surrounding nature. His “less is more” philosophy is easy to see in the design.
2) MLK Jr Memorial Library
This is the only library built my Mies van der Rohe.Upon entering this landmark building, visitors are welcomed into the beating heart of the library, the Great Hall. In 2017 the building closed to begin a modernization, including a major reconstruction of the interior of the building. The total cost of this 3 year renovation is expected to be around $208,000,000
1) Barcelona Pavilion
This building was used for the official opening of the German section of the exhibition.It is an important building in the history of modern architecture, known for its simple form and its spectacular use of extravagant materials, such as marble, red onyx and travertine. It has inspired many other important modernist buildings.