Barcelona Chair

German Bauhaus design is well known for its minimalist and simplistic forms. Its design employs traditional techniques in terms of craftsmanship and manufacturing. It follows the principles of “form follows function” and is considered “good design”. Bauhaus design was generally aimed at the “Common Man” with affordable housing as well as furniture.

Mies van der Rohe designed the Barcelona chair within this period. Although most furniture pieces during this time were designed for the mass market, this chair is an exception as it was initially intended for the Spanish Royal Family.

Countries like Germany, the US and Israel all developed their own distinctive style that contributed to the “Bauhaus look” that is immediately recognisable. Unlike Scandinavian designs of that time, German designers steered clear from natural and organic shapes and opted for hard edges and a sharper look. With the inclusion of bare materials, in this case unpainted metal, the famous Bauhaus look is attainable.

The chair combines both leather and stainless steel for a timeless Bauhaus appearance. Initially Mies van der Rohe planned his chair to be bolted together but then decided on a seamless stainless steel construction. This gave the Barcelona chair a much cleaner finish. Furthermore, this construction technique also offers higher structural integrity than a bolt-on alternative.  Mies also opted for black Bovine leather which replaced the ivory coloured pig skin from his original design.

The Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe