Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886 – 1969) was a German-American architect and one of the key figures in modern architecture. He was known for his minimalist approach, emphasizing clean lines, open spaces, and the innovative use of steel and glass. His famous phrase, "Less is more", defined an era of design focused on simplicity and structural clarity.
Mies started his career in Germany, working under Peter Behrens alongside Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. In the 1930s, he became the last director of the Bauhaus, a revolutionary school of architecture, before emigrating to the United States due to increasing Nazi opposition to modernism. He accepted a position at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he reshaped architectural education and implemented his vision in campus design.
His most renowned works include the Barcelona Pavilion, the Seagram Building in New York, the Farnsworth House, and Chicago’s Crown Hall. These buildings set new standards for modernist architecture, focusing on open spaces and structural efficiency. Mies’s influence extended beyond architecture, shaping contemporary urban planning and modernist furniture design. His legacy continues to inspire architects worldwide, cementing his place as one of the greatest visionaries in architectural history.