BAUHAUS PERIOD: Barcelona Chair
History
The Barcelona chair was designed in 1929 for the Pavilion of the Weimar Republic, on the premises of the World Exposition in Barcelona – hence the name “Barcelona chair”. The chair was designed with dual purpose: to exemplify the values of “clarity, simplicity and honesty” as they would represent the modern society of the time, and to impress the Spanish royal couple Alfonso VIII and Victoria Eugenie, who were to visit the exhibition.
Designed by
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and his partner Lilly Reich. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a German-American modernist architect and one of the directors of the Bauhaus art school in Germany. His famous statements include “Less is more” and “God is in the detail”
Dimensions
Width: 75cm, Height: 77cm, Depth: 76cm
Materials
Steel frame covered with chrome. Leather seat and straps, foam filling.
Elements and Principles
Texture is the main Element, and Contrast is the governing principle of the design. Modern textures of chrome steel frame has been contrasted against traditional leather covers of the seat and the backrest. The contrast brings about the contrast of the new and old worlds, as represented by the two textures, and symbolically representing the new era contrasting with the old world – yet they merge to create a beautifully and comfortable new entity.
Manufactured by
Berliner Metallgewerbe Josef Müller / Bamberg Metallwerkstätten, Berlin. Manufactured in limited supply in Europe and the USA from 1930s until 1950s. Since 1953 Knoll has been the licensed manufacturer of the Barcelona chair.
Used by Designers
Simplicity and elegance are the defining features of the Barcelona chair. For those features has been frequently used in high-class business spaces. Modern, lighter variations (such as in white colour) have been used by interior designers in large open spaces, libraries, art galleries.
Replicas
Many replicas of the Barcelona chair exist today. Although Knoll has been claiming and pursuing the rights to the design, there have also been many unauthorised replicas of the Barcelona chair.
Contemporary interpretations and influences
The iconic design of the Barcelona chair has inspired a plethora of related designs. They all attempt to stick to the principles that guided Ludwig Mies in the design of his original Barcelona chair.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona_chair
http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/mr-90-barcelona-sessel-ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe.html
http://iconicinteriors.com/designer_furniture/category/chairs/the_barcelona_chair/image_01/#.VTpG3SGqqko
http://search.mattblatt.com.au/search#w=barcelona&asug=asug
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mies-Barcelona-Chair-and-Ottoman.jpg
