An examination of an early design of the Barcelona Pavilion | News

Gary Garvin, a name familiar to many architects, examines the lesser-known early design phase (Plan I) of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion. This study highlights the architectural and conceptual differences between the original plan and the final structure. Garvin’s detailed analysis provides insight into Mies’ design philosophy and the modernist principles that influenced the pavilion’s development.

Garvin begins by describing the key differences between Plan I and the completed pavilion, noting that the original design featured more pronounced structural elements that were later refined to create the iconic open and flowing spaces of the final version. Garvin emphasizes Mies’s intention to balance form and function, and highlights how these early designs reflect the architect’s experimentation with spatial concepts.

The investigation delves into the philosophical underpinnings of Mies’ work and discusses his commitment to the principles of modernism such as minimalism, the use of industrial materials, and the creation of a seamless connection between interior and exterior spaces. Garvin explores how these ideals were originally conceived in Plan I and how they evolved throughout the design process.

Garvin’s study also places the pavilion in its historical context, taking into account the cultural and architectural trends of the time. He examines the influences that shaped Mies’ vision, from the Bauhaus movement to contemporary developments in European architecture. This contextual approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the pavilion’s significance beyond its immediate aesthetic impact.