The Barcelona chair

Introduction

In February 1957, Time magazine published an article about furniture designed by architects. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the creator of the iconic Barcelona chair was featured in this article. In his interview. Mies offered this observation:

“A chair is a very difficult object. A skyscraper is almost easier. That is why Chippendale is famous.” Make no mistake, the technical expertise required to design a skyscraper is unmatched. The problem that Mies seems to be alluding to is of a different sort. Chairs properly belong to the human world. The exterior design of a skyscraper has more to do with pure esthetics, as opposed to proportions of the human body. Furniture in general is right in front of our eyes. It is inescapable, so the stakes are higher for the designer who wants to create something that will stand the test of time. Well, how did Mies van der Rohe do as a chair designer?

The Barcelona expo

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886 – 1969) began his career in architecture under strong influences of neoclassicism. After being introduced to concepts of modern art, Mies started to experiment with new architectural forms. He became one of the key figures in the Bauhaus school (1919 - 1933). Among the main tenets of Bauhaus was the need to combine mass production with modern modes of artistic expression. In 1928, the German government asked Mies to participate in the design of a pavilion which was supposed to represent the country in Barcelona, at the world exhibition scheduled for 1929. Lilly Reich, at the time in a relationship with Mies, was to be his collaborator on this project. The main objective of this endeavor was to build an impressive one-floor pavilion capable of showcasing cultural achievements of the Weimar republic. It was a departure from the mass production trend eschewed by Bauhaus, but the principles of modernist design ended up greatly benefiting from the use of high quality materials. The building was designed to be spacious and not conducive to long visits (it was obviously necessary to keep the crowds moving). However, some seating arrangements were still required. Mies designed chairs and matching footstools. When he famously remarked that these seats were fit for a king it was something to be taken quite literally: at the opening ceremony the king and queen of Spain were going to be present. The word is that the royal couple never actually sat in the two chairs that were permanently placed in the main hall of the pavilion. Still, in a way, this design has been graced by nobility of the highest rank. This story also explains why Mies prefered to have Barcelona chairs sold by pairs.

The Barcelona chair: construction

The construction of the Barcelona chair is fairly simple. The frame consists of four main elements. Two C-shaped elements form the front legs and the back of the chair, two S-shaped elements form its rear legs and the seat. Three horizontal elements connect the sides of the chair. All these parts are made of metal, chrome having been used in the original chairs, later versions introduced steel. The C-shapes and the S-shapes used to be bolted together, but in the 1950s their production was changed to having a single piece with a more organic look. The connecting bars are fitted with straps of durable material, providing the surface on which the chair’s cushions are placed. These cushions were originally made out of pig skin, but nearly all later designs feature cow skin leather. Instead of large pieces of leather, the cushions are made using small square pieces. Presumably this keeps the cost of leather down, but the price has never been an issue for Barcelona chair buyers…

The Barcelona chair: design

Observing the simplicity of the Barcelona chair only begins to tell its story. It’s design is exquisite, but it is not entirely without precedent. There are several obvious sources of Mies’ inspiration in creating the Barcelona chair. The ancient Greek klismos chair has curved legs, although they are not bent as much. The Roman curule chair, also known as the X-chair, features a crisscross pattern. Bentwood chairs of the 19th century offer the pleasant look of curved elements, light and airy. Modernist design of Mies’ own time culminated in the cantilever chair, especially notable for its use of shiny metal. So, what are the features that turned the Barcelona pavilion chairs a design icon?

Let’s begin with some math. The outlines of the Barcelona chair’s frame can be traced using three circles. Two would be of the same radius and the third would be exactly half that radius. The intersection of the two big circles roughly lies on the golden mean line coming from the base of the chair (Geometry of Design: Studies in Proportion and Composition> by Kimberly Elam). This elegant geometric simplicity makes the Barcelona chair suitable for most modern interiors. It does not clash with any distinct styles and does not overwhelm the room. The small square pieces of leather that form the cushions create just enough visual interest to balance the basic geometry of the frame. The details of leatherworking, unique patters of organic coloring and the interplay of shadows on the many curves of the chair’s cushions add additional small details. This is a great illustration of the design principle which suggests that an object should feature large, medium and small elements of interest. To put it plainly, one’s eye never gets tired of looking at a Barcelona chair.

What environments are Barcelona chairs suitable for?

As already mentioned, these chairs do not overpower their surroundings. It is no wonder that architects like to use them when they don’t want the spaces cluttered, obscuring their work. It is almost ironic that these magnificent pieces of furniture deigned by an architect help other architects showcase their own creations.

Technically speaking, the Barcelona chair is cantilevered. But unlike most such chairs which lack traditional vertical supports it does not look like something shaky and potentially unsafe (have you ever felt strangely uncomfortable sitting in a chair made out of steel tubes?). And yet, the Barcelona chair appears light and airy. It shares some design ideas of folding chairs, evoking the sensation of mobility and comfort where you need it and when you need it. It is the ultimate folding chair that cannot be folded. But you probably know that folding chairs are never meant to be used for a long time. This is true of the Barcelona chair as well. There may be a deep symbolic reason for that. The Roman curule chair (sedes curalis) was used ceremonially by elected officials of the Roman state. It was not meant to be comfortable, as if to remind those officials that their power is only temporary. If you keep in mind that Mies designed the Barcelona chair to be fit for a king, it would not be a long stretch to surmise that these modern thrones come with a philosophical message about the transient nature of all earthly power. But philosophy aside, the Barcelona chair is ideal in a situation where you want to offer brief rest. Their design statement could be: Timeless stable elegance bestowed upon you for a brief moment. Barcelona chairs are ideal for high end reception areas.

Should I have a Barcelona chair in my house?

Of course, nothing precludes you from purchasing Barcelona chairs for your home. One advice to follow is that they should not be made a centerpiece, the focal point of any given room. This is perhaps one reason why these chairs are usually sold in pairs. This is not the case when Mies’ famous less is more principle would serve you well. Other than that, remember that these $5,000 chairs will not be more comfortable that a $1,000 sofa you might get for you living room instead.

Tom Wolfe, in his book “From Bauhaus to our House” recalled the reverence for the Barcelona chair in the 1950s. It was apparently the sign of utmost sacrifice for the sake of art when young aspiring architects used to pay $550 for this piece of furniture (described by Wolfe as the Platonic ideal chair, no less). In order to pay this enormous amount of money, these young men often deprived their wives of diaper service (disposable diapers haven’t been invented yet). Wolfe confessed that ever since the sight of a Barcelona chair immediately brought up the sell of diapers for him. Perhaps this is also akin to someone wanting to change the channel on the radio after hearing the first notes of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Undoubtedly, one of the greatest songs ever written, but at a certain point it’s just not what you want to hear. The bottom line, if you want to get a pair of Barcelona chairs, that’s wonderful. Just do it low-key, don’t treat them like royalty (even though that’s precisely what they are).

If you are fascinated by the forms and the mystique of the Barcelona chair you should know that it makes an appearance in what can be best described as an architectural poem in 3d – a short video created by Alex Roman called “The Third and the Seventh”. The Barcelona pavilion makes an appearance around 5:13, but if you love architecture you will watch the whole thing more than once. From the pure 3d animation/rendering point of view some parts of it look a little bit dated, but the artistic drive behind Alex Roman’s project is so strong that it will outlive the software it is made with.

How to buy Barcelona chairs

If you want to get yourself a pair of Barcelona chairs the big question is whether you want to have Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s signature stamped on the metal frame. If so, you only have one option (barring your ability to find some counterfeits). Very early on, Mies sold his design to the company started by the husband of one of his students, Florence Knoll. To this day Knoll is making the same chair, although there have been some slight modifications in its production. Only a few decades ago, Knoll was able to secure a legal protection for their copyright. As a result, there are many Barcelona style chairs out there, with varying quality of craftsmanship and materials. Knoll chairs are by far the most expensive, selling for upwards of $6,000. Modern Classics sells very similar quality chairs for just $1550. An Italian version of the Barcelona chair, cleverly named the Seville chair, will cost you close to $3,000. There are also many cheaper imitations under $1,000. All these varieties have different choices in terms of leather colors. You can also buy cushions separately.

Image: Pavelleó Mies van del Rohe - Barcelona Chair by yisris