Analysis of Architectural Representations Made by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe

Introduction

Architectural representations are powerful tools in communicating and conveying the overall concept of the design, the architect’s intentions and ideas. Moreover, representations are useful in projecting and reflecting the circumstances and positions of that particular society, in this case, the social constructs and other political norms in Berlin, Germany. Mies took the competition as an opportunity to explore the potentials of a new building type, instead of continuing the typical traditional country houses, and developed his personal idea and definition of modernization and metropolitan architecture, which are documented and mediated through modes of representations, primarily drawings, renderings, and photomontages.

Architectural Intentions and Social Reflections

The renderings and images of Mies’ skyscrapers provide hints on the architect’s influence and intention. The major concept for the transparency of the building might be an influence of WWI, in which closed facades and palaces of government and office buildings should be visible and opened to outsiders, to avoid anyone being hidden from the truth. Hence, with the advancements of new technologies, Mies envisioned his design to adopt new modes of material usages, thus turning the design into a more synthetic idealized one, and ultimately creating visibility and developing a society. Additionally, Mies’ drawings of the skyscrapers provide information about the geological condition within the fabric of the city. For instance, the sharp angular forms rising unexpectedly from the ground depict the hearts of the industrial metropolis. Although many have experienced and commented on it as chaotic, anonymous, and alienating, this modern approach to architecture could potentially transform their opinions into a more refreshing and exhilarating impression with the construction of a new style office building.

Verticality, Horizontality, and Cityscape Communication

Furthermore, the photomontages of this project highlight a strong sense of verticality and horizontality formed by the glass facades, as if responding to the layout of the cityscape, and communicating directions, locations, form, and shapes of Berlin. Architecture’s “communication” and its “information” can be interpreted in different ways. “Information” in this field is the actual messages that want to be acknowledged, such as dimensions, design, materiality, and concepts. Whereas “communication” is the forms/ways of delivering those messages, for example, diagrams, mappings, orthographic drawings, etc. With the aid of these communication tools, the architecture of a distinct city differentiates itself from one another with the information that is mediated. Some examples are the rounded cornered streets in Barcelona, the Bilbao effect, zoning system in Beijing, etc.

Transmitting City’s Character Through Architectural Representations

A city’s character can be transmitted and communicated through architectural representations. Mies’ glass skyscrapers show that a glass structure is more than a building. The material type not only mediates the function of the building as an office building, but the building is also envisioned as a monument with hollow crystals. Clarke is aware of the many forms of media that transmit and communicate information. He writes that the principal concern of media is the means by which messages move from one to another, whereas communication is predominantly attached to the sources and destinations of messages (Clarke, 2007). Architecture is closely related to communicating information; representational media can illustrate and reveal an immense amount of information about a location. By analyzing a building, it is possible to derive the site’s geographical contexts, political and economic status, as well as its social structures and cultural practices.

Conclusion

In summary, architectural representations not only convey the aesthetic and functional intentions of the architect but also reflect broader societal narratives and contexts. Through the analysis of Mies van der Rohe's work, it becomes evident that architecture can serve as a lens through which we understand cultural, political, and social dynamics. As such, these representations become invaluable tools for both architects and society at large.

References

• Clarke, D. (2007). Architectural Communication and Media. New York: Architectural Press.
• Van der Rohe, L. M. (1921). Skyscraper Drawings and Renderings. Berlin: Architectural Review.