This brings back to mind Edward Lifson’s presentation on Van der Rohe’s Crown Hall (in Crown Hall!) at SEED this year. I wish I had taken better notes, but I do remember one moment when Lifson stopped speaking, to draw the audience’s attention to interaction between the trees outside and the sunlight as they cast moving shadows behind the milk glass on the lower half of the building. Learning about the building while being surrounded by it was pretty amazing.
Also, the chair reminds me of this piece by Carl Jerstam (uncredited on IKEA’s site!).
In my mind, 90% of IKEA stuff is nice to look at, but not made to last. These chairs fall into the other 10%, and the cantilever design makes for a comfortable sitting position with a slight “bounce”.
I think I remember seeing this photo in the Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine a few years back… it’s taken in his apartment that he lived in. I always found it interesting that the father of minimalist architecture lived in an ornate, classically influenced building rather than in something he himself designed. But the dichotomy of the traditional trim, etc. with his minimalist furnishings are interesting and do showcase the differences.
I lived in a Mies Van Der Rohe neighborhood. Talk about great stuff – I am not a fan of modern architecture all the time, but Mies’ community was well planned and really fostered a sense of community.
Although my building was not a Mies, many of my friends’ places were. Among the best modern there is. It was like I lived in the residential representation of an Apple Store.
Modern and classic styles can live together in harmony :-)
This photo appears in John Pawson’s Minimum. I’m sure it’s been published many times elsewhere.
This discussion is closed.
About Jason Fried
Jason co-founded Basecamp back in 1999. He also co-authored REWORK, the New York Times bestselling book on running a "right-sized" business. Co-founded, co-authored... Can he do anything on his own?
Stephen Jenkins
on 27 Oct 08This brings back to mind Edward Lifson’s presentation on Van der Rohe’s Crown Hall (in Crown Hall!) at SEED this year. I wish I had taken better notes, but I do remember one moment when Lifson stopped speaking, to draw the audience’s attention to interaction between the trees outside and the sunlight as they cast moving shadows behind the milk glass on the lower half of the building. Learning about the building while being surrounded by it was pretty amazing.
Also, the chair reminds me of this piece by Carl Jerstam (uncredited on IKEA’s site!).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20115038
In my mind, 90% of IKEA stuff is nice to look at, but not made to last. These chairs fall into the other 10%, and the cantilever design makes for a comfortable sitting position with a slight “bounce”.
Rick
on 27 Oct 08Mancrush much??
Zz.
on 27 Oct 08Indeed a great shot. Credits?
Patrick
on 27 Oct 08It’s been over six years since I graduated from IIT and I still despise that man for creating some of the ugliest buildings on that campus.
Walker Hamilton
on 27 Oct 08I completely agree with Patrick’s attitude.
Geoff
on 27 Oct 08Ditto Patick and Walker. Nevertheless, nice shot of him (in a modern chair, at a modern table, in a classical room).
Eliot
on 27 Oct 08Seriously – when praising the work is the entire basis for a post, you could credit the artist. Photo is by Werner Blaser.
JF
on 27 Oct 08Thanks for the credit info, I’ve updated the post. Someone sent me the picture—I didn’t know where it came from and they didn’t either.
Don Schenck
on 27 Oct 08Corona.
Michael
on 27 Oct 08I had the pleasure of seeing the Barcelona Pavilion in person this summer. My mouth hung open. Incredible designer.
MontyMonty
on 27 Oct 08I have one thing to say, “And finally, monsieur, a wafer-thin mint? Really, it’s wahfer theeen.”
Benjy
on 27 Oct 08I think I remember seeing this photo in the Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine a few years back… it’s taken in his apartment that he lived in. I always found it interesting that the father of minimalist architecture lived in an ornate, classically influenced building rather than in something he himself designed. But the dichotomy of the traditional trim, etc. with his minimalist furnishings are interesting and do showcase the differences.
Jeremiah
on 29 Oct 08I lived in a Mies Van Der Rohe neighborhood. Talk about great stuff – I am not a fan of modern architecture all the time, but Mies’ community was well planned and really fostered a sense of community.
Although my building was not a Mies, many of my friends’ places were. Among the best modern there is. It was like I lived in the residential representation of an Apple Store.
Modern and classic styles can live together in harmony :-)
Adrian Short
on 29 Oct 08This photo appears in John Pawson’s Minimum. I’m sure it’s been published many times elsewhere.
This discussion is closed.