Mies van der Rohe was a German architect, born in Aachen in 1886. He is best known for his architectural work particularly in glass and steel buildings and is considered one of the masters of modern architecture.

Although his design work in chairs was not prolific it has a timeless quality to it. He first started designing chairs and furniture in the 1920’s generally for the interiors of the buildings he was creating.

He and Lilly Reich collaborated on a new cantilever chair based on a tubular steel framework. Incorporating curved frames the Brno chair launched at the end of the 1920’s based around a flat steel chromed framework.

In the early 1930’s he an d Lilly Reich produced what is undoubtedly his most famous range of seating for the Barcelona International Exhibition.

The Barcelona chair and stool had a thick leather cushion supported on a curved X shaped frame to give a wonderfully proportioned, elegant seat. A simple couch and table made up the range.

Due to the worsening political situation Mies van der Rohe left Germany for the USA in 1938 and spent the rest of his career in promoting modern architecture, principally in glass and steel.

Whilst Mies van der Rohe wasn’t a prolific chair designer, those that he did create have a wonderfully timeless quality to them and remain extremely popular some 27 years after his death.