One of my favorite places in Barcelona was the Mies van der Rohe pavilion. On a grey afternoon it looks just perfect. In 1928 the pavilion was commissioned to represent Germany in the upcoming 1929 International Exposition (a.k.a. The World's Fair). The hope was that the space would give "voice to the spirit of a new era" during the recovery period after World War I; that it would embody a new "democratic, culturally progressive, prospering and thoroughly pacifist" Germany. Sure, this is a rather heady goal for architecture, but somehow, that calm is perfectly encapsulated.
sunglasses: vintage // sweater: Old Navy // t-shirt: F21 // jeans: Massimo Dutti* // boots: Aldo // jewelry: all vintage
The space is completely open seamlessly blending indoors and out. Such a cool concept.
In addition to acting as a beacon for the "new" post-war Germany, the pavilion was constructed to house simple, purpose driven furniture. Cool, crisp lines, bright white marble and dramatic red drapes are the perfect environment for the now iconic Barcelona chair. Now these Bauhaus beauties can be spotted all over the place and are still sold today by Knoll. If only I could snag afford one of these babes!
Never intended to be a permanent fixture, the original building was torn down in 1930. Thankfully, this gem of Modern architecture was resurrected by a group Spanish architects and rebuild according to original plans in the mid '80s. Such a gem.
*BTW, have you guys heard of this shop Massimo Dutti!? I guess everyone across the pond has discovered this gem, but it was completely new to me. It's kind of like Zara's cooler big sister. Think perfect buttery leather jackets, tailored trousers, soft sweaters .. ack! It's pretty great! Rumor has it we're getting one stateside (in NYC) later this year.
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