Why is the Barcelona chair iconic?

It was designed to seat the King and Queen of Spain during Mass when they visited the German Pavilion. His first appearance was very well received by designers and manufacturers. Since its first appearance, it has been regarded as a design classic and icon. Although Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s instantly recognizable Barcelona chair now anchors interiors around the world, he made his debut 90 years ago with a very specific purpose.

Classic Mies van der Rhoe Barcelona chairs in white leather contrast with modern French linen velvet loveseats and hand-painted linen curtains that frame natural Conrad shades. One interesting fact about this chair is that it was created for a royal family reunion, so the intent behind it should never be mass-produced. The chairs are almost entirely handmade and they have a Van der Rohe signature stamped into the frame. Mies’s early, handmade prototypes found their first permanent home in Villa Tugendhat, a private residence designed by Mies that reflects many elements of the Barcelona pavilion.

Learn how the master’s showpiece became one of the most iconic (and sought after) chairs of all time in 1929. The falling, chrome-plated crossbars of the Barcelona Chair, which were forged as individual units and then bolted with two vertical parts to the edge of its backrest and seat, give a twist to the classic scissor shape of curule seats, which were reserved for dignitaries in ancient Rome, and form a dramatic cantilevered perch. A light blue velvet sofa combined with white Barcelona leather chairs that mimic the natural color palette of the outdoor area, while a transparent coffee table refers to the windows. The resulting chair looked deliberately undecorative, yet was highly sophisticated and luxurious.

This distinctive chair was designed in 1929 by modernist Titan Mies in collaboration with German architect and designer Lilly Reich, a long-time colleague and co-modernist. As 20th century design specialist Michael Jefferson put it, I’m not sure if there is a more unique expression of Mies’ aesthetics and rigor than the Barcelona Chair. As you already know, the Barcelona Chair was never intended to be reproduced, which means that it did not want to be mass-produced at the time as it is difficult and expensive to produce. A variety of throw pillows soften the modern lines of the sectional sofa and Barcelona chair in this casual family space.

It was originally created for Mies’ German Pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona Exposition, which became known as the Barcelona Pavilion.

References:

• Barcelona chair – Wikipedia