Barcelona chairs
Designed by Mies Van der Rohe


Photo taken in 2006 at the
M&T Bank, Buffalo, NY

[The Barcelona chair] was made from nine parts in flat and tubular steel. They were chrome-plated – a completely new process in furniture manufacture at the time. Although the chairs had four legs, the architect experimented with a cantilever principle to achieve the free-floating seat.

- Building Connections

In 1932, Mies and Lilly Reich designed what is perhaps his most famous creation.

Created for the German Pavilion at the Barcelona International Exhibition.

The Pavilion chair was intended as a modern throne; a thick cushion upholstered in luxurious leather and set upon a curved metal frame (chrome plated ) in the shape of an X inspired by classical furniture."

- Design Within Reach

Mies re-designed the original chair in 1950 in order to make use of stainless steel which had become available due to a recent advancement in technology.

Manufactured by Knoll Interntional since 1953. See also Knoll, Barcelona Chair



Photos and their arrangement © 2006 Chuck LaChiusa
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