The Birth of Minimalism | Barcelona Pavilion (Mies van der Rohe)

The Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich is truly an icon of minimalist architecture. Located in Barcelona, Spain, it looks modern by today’s standards. It must have looked like a house from the future at a time when the paint on Gaudi’s playful modernista buildings had barely dried up...
Some cite architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as being the first leader of minimalist design. And his famous aphorism ‘Less is More’ is still widely used.
To many outside of art and architecture, minimalism is a movement that became popular in the last decade. One that promotes living with fewer material possessions, decluttering your stuff, and only keeping what’s essential. That which sparks joy. However, its core concepts were pioneered by architects like Mies van der Rohe much longer ago.
So today I am going to show you around at the Barcelona Pavilion to give credit to one of minimalism’s pioneers.
0:00 - Introduction
1:31 - History of the Barcelona Pavilion
3:34 - Why the Barcelona Pavilion is so Remarkable
5:32 - Barcelona Chair
6:41 - Der Morgen by Georg Kolbe
7:21 - How the Barcelona Pavilion Inspires Me as a Minimalist
- LINKS -
☕️ Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/petercook
♪ TikTok: / slowlivingminimalist
🖼 Posters: iampetercook.gumroad.com/l/po...
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📚 Interesting books to read:
• Stoicism For Beginners: a.co/d/hPU8GTX
• Minimalism 101: a.co/d/bJkA6Lt
• Declutter Your Life: a.co/d/carqttB
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[@IAmPeterCook]

Would you ever see yourself living in a minimalist building like the Barcelona Pavilion?

[@emilysmith9099]

Thank you for this video the way you explain the building really brings it alive and helps me to appreciate its beauty

[@IAmPeterCook]

@@emilysmith9099 thanks! ✨ it really is a cool place to check out

[@hpatterson8812]

Yes, it looks amazing 🤩

[@ahmetbaytar]

forever... Thank you for sharing this beautiful video.❤

[@lightbox617]

In a heartbeat. I love Barcelona

[@lightbox617]

I have visited twice and found it beautiful. The piecing of the marbel wall, the reflections of the sculpture in the pools. It's not really "out of the way." itls on the hill that is topped by the major art museum and performance space. It is a great place to have an Estrella and listen to St. musicians

[@ocenmartin6791]

It was definitely ahead of its time.

[@IAmPeterCook]

Definitely, Ocen!

[@EdithaSeva]

"Super beautiful. love it so much

[@IAmPeterCook]

Glad you liked it, the Barcelona Pavilion is stunning!

[@parroquiadelespiritusanto8857]

I love your presentation of the Barcelona pavilion! Thanks for showing me the history and importance of this monument in the minimalism movement

[@IAmPeterCook]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@milootje007]

You should look into modern art. Gerhard Richter for instance. And also check out José Zanine Caldas. And the architecture of Carlo Scarpa. I enjoyed your genuine interest, that's why i felt like giving you some high quality people to look into.

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thanks for the suggestions, Milo! Yeah, I loved my time at the Barcelona Pavilion, and learning about Mies van der Rohe. I will check out the work of the artists/architects you mentioned, thanks! 🙌🏻

[@suleymaneneskurt]

Loved the vid

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thanks, Süleyman! ✨

[@enaanand]

it definitely is not something you would expect of Barcelona, but looks cool... reminds me of the famous minimalist hotel brand, Aman ;)

[@IAmPeterCook]

Interesting! Never heard of them, but I'll check it out.

[@mileshall9235]

"Birth" of minimalism as the Barcelona Pavilion? Ever hear of Malevich? Naum Gabo? I love B P, but it's definitely not the birth of minimalism.

[@michaelsd284]

Yep, its common for people to interchange minimalism with the "modern" in modern architecture. Modern architecture's principles strip away the grandiose and ornamentation of the prior architectural styles that preceded it exposing the rawness of materials and construction techniques. Minimalism can be a result of this but certainly not the birth of minimalism.