Mar26
If you love Mies as we do then we are pleased to direct you to this awesome article. The photography is by Corine Vermeulen ( for Placement Project), and produced by Whitney Dangerfield of the New York Times. Credit should also be given to the audio by Danielle Aubert. Make sure to read the related article and the comments, and hoorah, there will be a book by the talented women at Placement (www.placementpublication.org), Danielle Aubert, Lana Cavar, and Natasha Chandani.
If These links do not work use the Blogroll links…well worth the viewing
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/10/15/opinion/20101015_Lafayette.html
http://www.opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/living-with-mies/
There are so many interesting aspects to this piece. For starters, we revisit an important part of the Mid Century Modern Movement in America, and learn some of the why’s and how’s of its beginnings. We also experience a socio/cultural view of life and lifestyles in Lafayette Park. This is a feast for the senses between the audio and visual experiences and the “stories” of those currently residing there. Take the time to read the comments at the end of the article. There is a vast array of emotions expressed in the comments and some strong opinions about Mies Architecture.
My growing interest in anything Mies comes from inheriting a home built by an architect who studied with Mies in Chicago. Please visit us at http://www.pgmod.com to learn more, and check out, “About”, http://www.pgmod.com/content/4-about-us If you have a minute I would love to hear your comments about how these mini visits into the lives of the current residents of Lafayette Park resonates with your interests in the Mid Century Modern experience.
Nov29
There are many integral factors that should be considered when making key decisions about Mid-Century Modern designs. Color, size, shape, “feel”, and price should all be appropriately weighed in the mind of the consumer, but this quick story from the education of a well-known Harvard trained architect illustrates that there will always be unanticipated variables. As a side-note, the teacher discussed below is the famous Walter Gropius, who is regarded as a pioneering master of modern architecture.
“My mentor was Gropius, whose ideas were comparable to those of Mies van der Rohe (designer of the famous Barcelona chair). It’s rather sad, but after all my time at the feet of the master, the first thing that comes to mind all these years later is that silly conversation about the entrance stair to one of my building designs.”
“I designed free ‘floating’ concrete entrance stairs with steel reinforcing bars and an open area underneath. I thought it was quite sculptural and added to the overall lightness of the approach. When Gropius came for his critique he pulled at his eyebrow and contemplated my efforts for what seemed like an eternity. He then stated these immortal words which have been seared into my memory in his Germanic accented voice: ‘Roy do not do ‘dis – dogs will get under there and fornicate!’”
“These were hardly the words expected from a guy who to me was a near deity, but I have cherished them ever since. As far as I know, no dogs have ever had illicit carnal affairs under one of my structures.”
This is the first part of several amusing anecdotes that we are gathering directly from the memories of key figures in the colorful history of modern design. Please check back for another quirky true story.
Oct24
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