The barcelona chair is the epitome of the modern lounge chair and is comprised of leather upholstered cushions set on a chrome steel frame.
Original barcelona chair dimensions. Wassily chair item share this marcel breuer 1925. Design within reach dwr sells the original replica of these chairs as made by knoll in italy aka the signature or barcelona chair model dwr offer their barcelona chairs are offered in top grain spinneybeck leather in 6 colors and a chrome plated steel frame. Barcelona chair item share this ludwig mies van der rohe 1929. The original barcelona chair is made with 17 strips of leather other materials like vinyl can indicate copycats evenly spaced in a ladder like fashion on the back and under the bottom cushion.
The barcelona chair was designed by ludwig mies van der rohe to furnish his german pavilion at the international exhibition in barcelona. The original barcelona chair was designed with the goal to present germany as a modern cultural and economic entity at the 1929 international exhibition. Each piece has an signature etch of mies van der rohe which is their trademark. Rather than being buckled to the frame they are attached with aluminum rivets.
Inspired by classical forms the barcelona chair s basic scissor shape design known as a curule seat dates back to 1500 bc. One of the most recognized objects of the last century and an icon of the modern movement the barcelona chair exudes a simple elegance that epitomizes mies van der rohe s most famous maxim less is more. The designs immediately became a signature of the knoll brand and have been built to mies van der rohe s exacting standards ever since. Lounge chair without arms c.
The barcelona chair is a chair designed by mies van der rohe and lilly reich citation needed for the german pavilion at the international exposition of 1929 hosted by barcelona catalonia spain. Marcel breuer is widely credited with pioneering the exploration of the material mart stam seems to be the first to conceive a chair without back legs and mies van der rohe is remembered as the one who made it beautiful. Mies a close friend and mentor to florence knoll during her time at the illinois institute of technology formally granted knoll the production rights to the barcelona chair and stool in 1953. Inspired by the frame of a bicycle and influenced by the constructivist theories of the de stjil movement marcel breuer was still an apprentice at the bauhaus when he reduced the classic club chair to its elemental lines and planes forever changing the course of furniture design.
The chair was first used in villa tugendhat a private residence designed by mies in brno czech republic. The barcelona chair made extensive use of both leather piping and impressed buttons. The barcelona chair quickly became an iconic modern classic design desired throughout the world. In 1928 sketches for the barcelona chair first appear alongside other seating solutions mies was experimenting with at the time.