The Farnsworth House, designed by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe in 1945-51, is a prime example offa minimalist, Art Deco style that is often overlooked in favor of more ornate, heavily decorative houses designed in the same period. Built for Dr. Edith Farnsworth, the house was designed to be a retreat from the bustle of her medical practice in Chicago, and to provide her with privacy and respite. Mies’ use of an open floor plan, minimal furnishing and decorative elements, and large windows that allowed natural light to flood the interior are some of the defining features of his Art Deco style. Farnsworth House
Farnsworth House
The Tugendhat House, designed by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe in 1930, is considered one of the most influential examples of Art Deco architecture. Built for well-to-do Jewish couple, Grete and Fritz Tugendhat, the house was a reflection of their desire for modern living and luxury. Featuring plenty of curves, glass and steel elements, and a private garden, the house was a bold experiment in the possibilities available. Structurally, the house was quite daring, with the main floor elevated above the ground as well as the front and rear facades stretching away from each other. The sweeping curves, glass walls, and interior greenery combine to create an homage to Art Deco beauty. Tugendhat House
Tugendhat House
The Robie House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908-09, has become one of the most iconic examples of Art Deco architecture in America. The house was built for Frederick C. Robie, an entrepreneur from Chicago, for whom Wright created a sprawling, elegant residence situated on a corner lot. The building's exterior, with its broad overhangs, geometric shapes, open floor plans, and streamlined features, is an immediately recognizable example of Wright's Art Deco style. The design is enigmatic, blending together numerous elements to create a space that, in spite of its obvious structure, is still a closely guarded secret. Robie House
Robie House
The Cortile Brioni, designed by Gio Ponti in 1932, is a one-of-a-kind example of Art Deco architecture. The house, built for Italian Count Claudio di Brioni, featured a bold modernist design that Ponti created from a combination of classical and modern elements. The two-story building is framed by a soaring facade featuring curved balconies, columned elements, and other elements typical of the Art Deco era. Inside, the house contains a field of white marble floors and walls, as well as a series of balconies and terraces, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding countryside. Cortile Brioni
Cortile Brioni
The Mayer House, designed by Oliver Morrison in 1941, is one of the greatest examples of Art Deco design. Built for Robert and Florence Mayer, the house featured a daring split-level interior design that combined space and light in spectacular fashion. The exterior featured curved balconies and skylights, while inside, one could find a mosaic of bathroom tiles, an intricately curved ceiling, and other decorative elements typical of the Art Deco era. Later additions and redesigns by Hal Levitt and Walter Neal further enhanced the home's deco-style character, and the house stands today as an homage to the elegant simplicity of the design era. Mayer House
Mayer House
The Barcelona Pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929, is one of the defining examples of Art Deco architecture. The pavilion was initially an experiment in modern design for the International Exposition on Art and Technology in Modern Life. The pavilion features a trunk of emptiness at its core, surrounded by a sweeping canopy and a series of interlocking steel-and-glass walls. The soaring lines, curved elements, and broad outdoor terraces elegantly capture the spirit of Art Deco design. The pavilion itself has been reproduced in many countries, both as a memorial to Mies’ work and as a permanent exhibit of a masterful example of the era. Barcelona Pavilion
Barcelona Pavilion
The Weissenhof Estate, built as part of the Stuttgart Exhibition in 1927, is a unique example of Art Deco architecture intended for mass-market living. Featuring a series of identical, German-modernist styled structures, the estate featured an unprecedented selection of interiors and exteriors that differentiated one building from the other. Landscape elements, such as terraces, stairs, and lush greenery, coupled with the flowing columns, walls, and windows, made the estate a grand example of the Art Deco style. Today, the estate remains a densely-developed example of the possibilities of efficient, large-scale residential architecture. Weissenhof Estate
Weissenhof Estate
The Lake Shore Drive Apartments, designed by Benjamin Marshall and Charles Fox from 1914-17, stands as a striking example of Art Deco architecture. Initially built as a pair of linked, eleven-story apartment buildings, the completed construction created a spectacle of towers surrounded by lush gardens and terraces. The buildings featured an abundance of curved walls, ornamented stonework, brightly-colored accents, and patterned windows and doorways, creating an atmosphere of Art Deco elegance. The buildings have since been rehabilitated and renovated, and they now provide some of Chicago's finest lakefront living. Lake Shore Drive Apartments
Lake Shore Drive Apartments
The Casa Rugarelli, designed by Pietro Lingeri in the 1930s, is an often-overlooked example of Art Deco architecture. Commissioned by Signor Rugarelli, a wealthy Pre-World War II industrialist, the house featured a series of classical inspirations set against a backdrop of modern finishes. Using a combination of marble, wood, and glass, along with plenty of curves and ornamental elements, the result was a Art Deco masterpiece. Today, the house still stands, a testament to the power of design and how even the simplest and most overlooked architectural elements can turn a house into a art form. Casa Rugarelli
Casa Rugarelli
The Capanonne House, designed by Italian architect Adalberto Libera in 1937, is an outstanding example of Art Deco architecture. Located in the hills of Imbersago, the house was designed to be a summer residence for surgeon Dr. Rinaldo Capanonne, and the architecture itself reflects a dual interest in classicism and minimalism. Gently flowing curves, wide terraces, and vast expanses of glass characterize the exterior while, inside, the charming shallow garden pools, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and ornate ceiling decorations make the house a remarkable example of the classic Art Deco style. Capanonne House
Capanonne House
The Meaning of Mies Van Der Rohe House Design
For years, Mies Van Der Rohe has been hailed as one of the most influential architects of the modernist movement. His iconic works, such as the Villa Tugendhat in the Czech Republic, the Chicago Federal Center and the Barcelona Pavilion, have been noted for their embrace of open spaces and minimalism. But it was in
house design
where he left his mark, pioneering a new way of living and a new way of seeing
home design
.
His philosophy of
house design
was simple and straightforward: functionality and simplicity should be the cornerstones of any space. By privileging the use of industrial materials such as steel and glass, he opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. By breaking away from the heavily ornamental designs of the century before, he allowed for a more efficient use of available space. The result was a series of structures that were both functional and visually appealing.
Building on previous precedents, Mies Van Der Rohe's
house design
embodied two key concepts: the ‘universal space’ and the ‘free plan’. The ‘universal space’ sought to create a space that was open and could be used for a wide variety of purposes. This could come in the form of a large interior room with no divisions, or a series of connected rooms, each with their own distinct function. This sense of spaciousness helped bring people together and encouraged a sense of family living.
The ‘free plan’ took this concept of universal space and applied it to the entire house. This entailed removing any boundary between the interior and the exterior of the house, allowing for a greater sense of connection. The results were open, flowing spaces where the boundaries between rooms were blurred and the overall effect was one of uncluttered, refreshing freedom.
Modern Relevance of Mies Van Der Rohe House Design
Although Mies Van Der Rohe's
house design
was a revolutionary approach to living back in the 1930s, it is still relevant today. The key components of his designs, such as open floor plans, large windows and a focus on functionality, can still be found in modern homes. Additionally, many of his key concepts such as ‘universal spaces’ and ‘free plans’ have been adopted in urban design and even in outdoor spaces, showing his timeless influence on the way people think about design.
