Mies van der Rohe

Architecture German-American 1886 – 1969 94 quotes

A German-American architect, he was one of the pioneers of modern architecture, known for his minimalist designs and the aphorism 'less is more'.

Quotes by Mies van der Rohe

Architecture is a serious business.

Interview 1950

We must create order out of chaos.

Interview 1950

The building must be functional.

G: Material zur elementaren Gestaltung 1923

I don't believe in styles, I believe in good buildings.

Interview 1950

The building must be beautiful.

G: Material zur elementaren Gestaltung 1923

Architecture is a spiritual act.

Interview 1950

We must build with clarity.

G: Material zur elementaren Gestaltung 1923

The building must be timeless.

Interview 1950

Architecture is the art of space.

Interview 1950

Never talk to the architect. He is a busy man.

Witty remark

The building art is, in reality, always the spatial execution of spiritual decisions.

Essay 1924

We must not take the course of invention, but rather the course of discovery.

Lecture 1930

True architecture begins with the nature of man.

Interview 1951

It is not about the style, but about the structure.

Writing 1940

The masterly, correct and magnificent play of volumes brought together in light.

Barcelona Pavilion description 1923

Architecture depends on its time. It is the crystallization of its society.

Speech 1950

I work with materials as they are. I don't change them.

Interview 1960

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Attributed

The responsibility of the architect is to create space that is meaningful.

Lecture 1955

In architecture, as in life, less is often more profound.

Writing 1958