Overview

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) is a leading figure in twentieth-century architecture. This book embodies a unique document of his philosophy of architecture, his way of working and his rigorous teaching methodology. Mies van der Rohe at Work is a new paperback reprint of a classic title first published in 1974, and features enhanced reproductions of the original photography and a new foreword by Phyllis Lambert, Founding Director of the Canadian Centre for Architecture. Peter Carter, who studied and later worked with Mies, began the book while an associate in Mies van der Rohe's firm. Mies' structural and spatial concepts are analysed through three building prototypes: the skeleton-frame building, both in its high- and low-rise manifestations, and the clear-span building. 28 of his most important projects are examined in depth within the context of urban space. Mies also made a significant contribution to architectural education, first as Director of the Bauhaus between 1930 and 1933, and later in the USA at the Illinois Institute of Technology. This tome devotes an entire section entirely to the architect as educator, which is illustrated with examples drawn from Mies' students at IIT. The final section traces his life from his early years as the son of a stonemason to his eventual emergence as the twentieth century's master architect of steel and glass, through a collection of statements by Mies himself and his colleagues. A magnificent tour de force, this definitive monograph encapsulates the life and work of this monumental architect in multiple dimensions, to bringing Mies van der Rohe to life with sensitivity and rigour.

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9780714838960

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Reviews

'One of the very few certainties in life is that the best books are out of print! When, as now with Peter Carter's Mies van der Rohe at Work, the situation is remedied by reprinting (with a fresh preface by Phyllis Lambert), it is a cause for celebration...splendid illustrations...an authoritative work of reference for students of architecture, practitioners, art historians and the enthusiastic amateur.' (Lord Palumbo [nb previous owner of Farnsworth House, designed by Mies van der Rohe], The Architect's Journal)

'One of the very few certainties in life is that the best books are out of print! When, as now with Peter Carter's Mies van der Rohe at Work, the situation is remedied by reprinting (with a fresh preface by Phyllis Lambert), it is a cause for celebration. - The first thing to be said about Carter's book is that it is a serious read - a painstaking and carefully researched record of one of this century's most influential architects and teachers. - The text is presented in a straightforward manner, with splendid illustrations, comprehensive data organised in terms of Mies' principal building types, and no diluting comment. In this manner the images are able to speak powerfully for themselves. They substantiate the aphorism of St Thomas Aquinas that Mies was so fond of quoting 'Beauty is the splendour of Truth', and on of his own, 'I don't want to be interesting, I want to be good'; and also one of mine, taken from Wren, that 'the aim of architecture is eternity'. It is all these dimensions that Carter's book brings so vividly to bear on the sensibilities of the reader - Carter first studied under Mies at the Illinois Institute of Technology before working in his office. His book is an authoritative work of reference for students of architecture, practitioners, art historians and the enthusiastic amateur, such as myself. For the author it is a personal tribute to his teacher, colleague and friend.' Lord Palumbo [nb previous owner of Farnsworth House, designed by Mies van der Rohe], The Architect's Journal, 1999

Author Information

Peter Carter is an architect now living in London. In 1958 he joined Mies van der Rohe's office after studying with him in Chicago. He continued to work with Mies for 13 years and became an associate in the firm.

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