I have a passion for amazing architecture and special types of buildings. Hard to describe the feeling you get when looking at something beautiful, it is like a gut feeling and it feels pleasant. I have been thinking for quite some time now of getting some posts up of favorite architects from the golden days of architecture, thank you janepeepshow for your inspiration! First off is Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, usually just referred to as Mies van der Rohe.
Born in Germany in 1886, immigrated to America in the 1930s where he started his career in Chicago as head of the architecture school the Armour Institute of Technology. A legend who not only drew buildings but also designed some great looking furniture. His most famous work include the Barcelona chair, the Brno chair, the Seagram building and the Barcelona Pavilion. His ‘Barcelona’ chair is considered a classic design piece of the early 20th century and if you want to get your hands on one will probably have to pay a small fortune for it today.
My Mies van der Rohe favorite is the Seagram building located at 375 Park Avenue in New York. Built in 1958 as one of the finest examples of corporate modernism. The building it self has been used as a back drop in numerous movies and commercials. The best example in my opinion is the excellent movie The Best of Everything, about working girls in New York in the late 1950s. All exteriors were shot at location. The interiors were obviously sets but very well designed sets which were based on the floor plans of the building. The movie is really good and I recommend anyone who likes lighthearted dramas with a pinch of romance to see it.
About the author: Chris
Founded Ultra Swank in 2005. Has a crush on Pan Am, Disneyland and the Century 21 Exposition. Lives life as an expat in Barcelona, Spain.
By Chris
May 17th, 2007
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