Mies van der Rohe, born as Maria Ludwig Michael Mies on March 27, 1886, in Aachen, Germany, and died on August 17, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, was a pivotal figure in modern architecture. He is renowned for his role in the development of the Modernist Architecture movement, particularly through his philosophy of "less is more," which emphasized simplicity and clarity in design.
Mies began his career in his father's stone carving business before studying architecture in Berlin. His early work was influenced by traditional styles, but he soon embraced the emerging modernist trends. In 1908, he worked under Peter Behrens, one of the leading figures of the Deutscher Werkbund, where he was exposed to industrial design and modern materials like steel and glass.
Mies's architectural philosophy was deeply rooted in the idea that less is indeed more. He believed in the expression of structure, the use of industrial materials, and the creation of open, fluid spaces. His principles include:
Mies's influence extends beyond his buildings; he was the last director of the Bauhaus school before it closed under Nazi pressure in 1933. After moving to the United States in 1937, he continued to shape American architecture, particularly through his work at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he designed the campus and influenced countless students.