Less is more. Finding perfection in purity

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 twentieth-century aesthetics and urban experience.

Van der Rohe s 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. Some spoke out against this stark approach as the precursor to bland, generic cityscapes. Others cite van der Rohe as the ultimate master of an abidingly elegant essence.

This book presents more than 20 of van der Rohe s projects from the period 1906 1967 to introduce his groundbreaking practise and influence in both America and Europe. 

About the series:

Each book in TASCHEN’s Basic Architecture series features:

- an introduction to the life and work of the architect 
- the major works in chronological order
- information about the clients, architectural preconditions as well as construction problems and resolutions
- a list of all the selected works and a map indicating the locations of the best and most famous buildings
- approximately 120 illustrations (photographs, sketches, drafts, and plans)

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was one of the leading figures of twentieth-century architecture. For architects and many others who are committed to the modernist tradition, he is a pivotal figure. With in-depth, scholarly essays and opulent photographs and plans, this book traces the multifaceted development of his work, including his first Berlin buildings, his villa projects, his work at the Bauhaus in the 1930s, and his American projects of the postwar years.

The Opera House in Oslo by Snøhetta, built to house the Norwegian National and Ballet, is the winner of the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - 2009 Mies van der Rohe Award. The Emerging Architect Special mention was awarded to STUDIO UP/ Lea Pelivan and Toma Plejic, for Gymnasium 46° 09' N / 16° 50' E in Koprivnica, Croatia. This publication illustrates both projects, together with the other four finalists and the 44 projects chosen by the jury, by means of plans, photographs and explanatory texts.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969) was one of the founding fathers of modern architecture, and creator of the Barcelona Pavilion (1929), the Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois (1945–1951) and the Seagram Building in New York (1954–1958). Famed for his motto "less is more," Mies sought a refined purity in architectural expression that was missing from the vocabulary of his Bauhaus peers. He aimed to build for those of modest income while also building economically and sustainably, both in technical and esthetic terms; the use of industrial materials such as steel and glass were the foundation of this approach. Though his stark forms and modern materials provoked some criticism, over the years many have tried—most unsuccessfully—to copy his original and elegant style.

This book explores more than 20 of his projects between 1906 and 1967, from his early work around Berlin to his most important American buildings.

About the Series:
Every book in TASCHEN's Basic Art Series features:

* a detailed chronological summary of the artist's life and work, covering the cultural and historical importance of the artist
* approximately 100 color illustrations with explanatory captions
* a concise biography

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969) was one of the founding fathers of modern architecture. The creator of the Barcelona Pavilion (1929), the Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois (1945–1951) and the Seagram Building in New York (1954–1958), Mies was one of the founders of a new architectural style. Well known for his motto "less is more," he sought a kind of refined purity in architectural expression that was not seen in the reduced vocabulary of other Bauhaus members. His goal was not simply building for those of modest income but building economically in terms of sustainability, both in a technical and aesthetical way; the use of industrial materials such as steel and glass were the foundation of this approach. Though the extreme reduction of form and material in his work garnered some criticism, over the years many have tried - mostly unsuccessfully - to copy his original and elegant style.

This book explores more than 20 of his projects between 1906 and 1967, from his early work around Berlin to his most important American buildings.

About the Series:

Every book in TASCHEN's Basic Architecture Series features:

- approximately 120 images, including photographs, sketches, drawings, and floor plans
- introductory essays exploring the architect's life and work, touching on family and background as well as collaborations with other architects
- the most important works presented in chronological order, with descriptions of client and/or architect wishes as well as construction problems and resolutions
-an appendix including a list of complete or selected works, biography, bibliography, and a map indicating the locations of the architect's most famous buildings