Mies Philosophy Of Architecture Essay

714 Words3 Pages
The conflation of architecture and philosophy in Mies's career Philosophy helped Mies precisely to recognize these different tendencies, to test their veracity, and to develop more clearly and firmly a direction to his work. Mies realized that this clear direction - this architectural philosophy - was a precondition for making significant contributions to architecture.1 As Mies wrote in his notebook, 'Only philosophical understanding reveals the true ordering principles of our service and thence the value and dignity of our existence ... One has dignity if one fulfils a human mission knowingly'.2 Mies understood that any architectural endeavour, including architectural practice, research, criticism, and education; inevitably reflected a certain philosophy. Thus, the absence of a conscious, clear philosophy did not entail neutrality, but rather weakness, nebulousness, and confusion. The lack of clarity was conducive to frustration, inadequacy, and irrelevance, regardless of the architect's enthusiasm, talent, dedication, and technical skill. For example, the misunderstanding regarding the true nature of architecture led to demands and expectations that architecture was unable to fulfil. Mies…show more content…
As a philosopher would develop a though, Mies developed his architectural ideas striving for greatest clarity and coherence.16 Moreover, Mies saw his works as statements that expressed his architectural philosophy. The most significant works were those that expressed this philosophy more clearly.17 Mies explained, 'Each building I built was intended as a demonstration of these thoughts, a step forward in the process of my search for clarification'.18 He concluded, 'I don't think you have to build ... a thousand buildings ... that's all nonsense. I can make a statement about architecture with a few buildings. If I would do nothing else that would make absolutely clear what I
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