Mies van der Rohe Pavilion

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The pavilion was designed to host the official reception of King Alfonso XIII of Spain during the 1929 International Exhibition.

2. 2

   It originally functioned as a temporary structure and was meant to be demolished shortly after the 1929 exhibition concluded.

3. 3

   The floor-to-ceiling glass walls were designed to create a sense of 'free-flowing' space, a hallmark of the International Style.

4. 4

   The 'Barcelona Chair,' one of the most famous pieces of 20th-century furniture design, was specifically created by Mies van der Rohe for this building.

5. 5

   The reconstructed version strictly adheres to the original 1929 site plan and materials, including the exact marble slab dimensions.

6. 6

   The central statue, 'Alba,' is placed specifically to create a visual dialogue with the surrounding stone walls and pool reflections.

7. 7

   The structure does not have traditional rooms but relies on internal partition walls to define space.

8. 8

   The pavilion's orientation remains identical to its original 1929 placement to replicate the intended light conditions.

9. 9

   The reflecting pool is purposefully shallow to maximize the mirror effect of the building's facade on the water surface.

Overview

The Mies van der Rohe Pavilion is a landmark of the Modern Movement, originally constructed as the German Pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition. The structure is celebrated for its precise use of glass, steel, and four different types of stone: Roman travertine, green Alpine marble, ancient green marble from Greece, and golden onyx. Although dismantled in 1930, it was reconstructed in its original location between 1983 and 1986 based on the original 1929 designs. The pavilion operates as a foundation dedicated to the study and promotion of contemporary architecture. It hosts rotating architectural exhibitions, installations, and academic lectures. The site is characterized by an open floor plan and a cantilevered roof that minimizes the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces. It features a reflecting pool and the iconic 'Alba' sculpture by Georg Kolbe. The site serves as a research center for students and professionals interested in 20th-century architectural history.

Insider tips

• Visit on a sunny day to observe how the light interacts with the onyx and marble interiors.

• Check the foundation's official website for current temporary architectural installations before visiting.

• Take time to walk around the perimeter of the pool to see the pavilion from multiple angles.