Barcelona chair, one of the most famous chairs of the 20th century. It was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for the German Pavilion, which he also designed, at the Barcelona International Exhibition in 1929. The iconic status of the Barcelona chair is so great that it has its own page in Barcelona’s yellow pages. Not only that, it is also one of the oldest modern classics that still exist. It was designed in 1929 by German designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for the Spanish royal family.
As part of his design (a replica of which is now on the premises), he made two chairs for King Alfonso XIII and his wife Ena in case they needed to rest during the visit. The inspiration and cultural connection to an ancient civilization, together with simplicity and formal purity, give the Barcelona Chair a timeless charm, which is attested by its success and uninterrupted production from 1930 to the present day. Examples of the Barcelona chair, made in Chicago by metalworker Jerry Griffith, appeared in 1960. The Barcelona Chair proved so appealing that it was put into general production shortly after its unveiling.
According to the yellow pages mentioned above, Mies was inspired by an Egyptian folding chair and a Roman folding stool. With its thoroughly chic aesthetics, Mies van der Rohe designed the Barcelona Chair in such a way that it is supported on each of its sides by two chrome-plated, flat steel bars. For an upscale modern feel, you can style the chair with other subtle pieces featuring clean lines and simple shapes, as well as modern artwork. Or, for an unexpected and versatile look, place the chair in a contrasting, classically paneled room with antique works of art. The special feature of a Barcelona chair from Knoll is the thick fillet tube on the cushions, which is padded with thick industrial foam.
The 90-year-old chair design still resonates with design tendencies and can be found in homes, offices and hotel lobbies around the world. But if you’re good knowing that your chair isn’t the right one, here are some great options for every budget. The Barcelona Chair embodies Mies van der Rohe’s maxim of the modern movement “less is more” and was literally designed to be suitable for a king. The Barcelona chair was designed in 1929 by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich (his partner and only woman invited to teach at the Bauhaus School) for the German pavilion at the Barcelona World’s Fair, which was also designed by Mies van der Rohe.
Between 1945 and 1947, production of the Barcelona chair continued in New York, where it was produced by Titlegratz. Although many architects and furniture designers of the Bauhaus era were anxious to provide the common man with well-designed houses and impeccably crafted furniture, the Barcelona chair was an exception. A genuine Barcelona Chair from Knoll has Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s signature stamped on the leg of the chair.
