Barcelona Pavilion

The Barcelona Pavilion, designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in collaboration with Lilly Reich, is an emblematic work of the Modern Movement, built for the International Exhibition of Barcelona in 1929. This pavilion, also known as the German Pavilion, represents one of the highest moments in Mies’ career and a fundamental reference point in the history of modern architecture. Built as a symbol of the rebirth of post-World War I Germany, the pavilion stands out for its essential design and innovative use of materials. Mies van der Rohe adopted a minimalist approach, embodying his famous principle “less is more” through a structure that emphasizes simplicity and purity of forms. The pavilion is characterized by an open plan, where the walls do not serve as load-bearing elements, but as spatial dividers. The roof is supported by eight slender steel columns in the shape of a cross, creating the illusion of a floating surface, giving the entire construction a sense of lightness and transparency. The use of materials is essential to understanding the beauty of the pavilion. Mies used marble, travertine, glass, and steel to create a dialogue between natural and artificial elements. The materials were carefully selected for their aesthetic and tactile qualities, with particular attention to the marble veins that create stunning visual effects. The choice of Italian travertine for the podium and exterior walls gave a sense of continuity and aesthetic coherence to the entire structure. One of the most iconic elements of the pavilion is the statue “Alba” by sculptor Georg Kolbe, positioned in the small water feature, adding an additional level of reflection and interaction with the surrounding environment. The two water features, one indoor and one outdoor, amplify the sense of spatial fluidity and reflect natural light, contributing to creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. Historically, the Barcelona Pavilion represented a bold statement of modernity and innovation in a period of great political and social upheaval. Through this work, Germany intended to present itself as a progressive and peaceful nation, in contrast to its warlike past. However, the original pavilion was demolished in 1930, shortly after the end of the exhibition, leaving behind only photographs and drawings. The reconstruction of the pavilion, which took place between 1983 and 1986, was an ambitious project undertaken by a group of Catalan architects, including Ignasi de Solà-Morales, Cristian Cirici, and Fernando Ramos. Using materials from the same quarries as the original, the reconstruction returned to the world a fundamental piece of architectural history, maintaining Mies van der Rohe’s vision intact.